The Arizona Million Dollar Roundtable (AZ MDRT) is seeking nominations for the induction of its inaugural slate of companies in the state that spend at least $1 million annually contracting with minority and woman-owned suppliers.

Companies that qualify for recognition by the Roundtable will be honored at a special luncheon ceremony on Nov. 16, 2012 at the Renaissance Hotel, 50 East Adams Street, in Downtown Phoenix, AZ. The Roundtable induction ceremony is part the first Minority Business Enterprise Summit, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on November 16.

“The creation of the Arizona Million Dollar Roundtable was inspired by the state’s increasingly diverse consumer base and the fast-growing diversity at every level of its business community,” said Gonzalo de la Melena, president of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “The induction of the inaugural members of the Million Dollar Roundtable is a historic step that reflects where our state’s economy the growing influence of minority- and women-owned businesses.”

The ceremony is organized by the Phoenix MBDA Business Center (phoenixmbdacenter.com) – funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce – and the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (azhcc.com). Ernst & Young will audit and rank the amount of annual business each nominee to the Million Dollar Roundtable. The deadline to apply is October 26, 2012.

The Roundtable is co-chaired by Donald E. Brandt, chairman & CEO of Arizona Public Service, and Don McKneely,President & CEO, TexCorp, Founder of the Billion Dollar Roundtable. Arizona Public Service is the summit’s presenting sponsor.

Like the international-recognized Billion Dollar Roundtable, the Arizona Million Dollar Roundtable is designed to promote and shares best practices in supply-chain diversity through the production of regular reports. Members of the AZ MDRT will review common issues, opportunities and strategies. The roundtable also is meant to encourage corporate entities to continue growing their supplier diversity programs by increasing commitment and spending levels each year.

The Minority Business Enterprise Summit spotlights the growing contributions of minority-owned businesses in Arizona. Major components include the release of a 2012 MBE Study detailing the state of minority-owned businesses in Arizona; the inaugural inductions into the Arizona Million Dollar Roundtable; and the presentation of the annual Phoenix Minority Business Enterprise Awards.

To qualify, candidates:

1. Must be a viable company or Government Entity, or Educational Institution which sources at least $1 Million on a first tier basis to minority and women enterprises.
2. Must have an interest in developing a supplier diversity program.
3. Dollars sourced to minority and women suppliers must be auditable and verifiable.
4. Must be a member of NMSDC, WBENC, DBE, 8A or other comparable certifying entity. [Subject to nominating council approval.]