Outreach Efforts — original pdf

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SMBR’s Outreach Efforts Austin Small and Minority Business Resources (SMBR) | March 25, 2026 Meet the Public Information Unit Eddie Bynog, Jr. Sr. Public Information Specialist Strategic Services Divsion Alejandra Villanueva Public Information Specialist Strategic Services Divsion 2 Overview of SMBR Outreach • Communications and Digital Resources • Events and Networking Opportunities • Marketing • Partnership Services 3 SMBR’s Outreach Efforts Communications and Digital Resources Events and Networking Opportunities Marketing Partnerships • Monthly Events Newsletters • Pre-Certification Workshop (monthly) • Annual Strategic Communications Plan • Diversity and Ethnic Chamber Alliance • Quarterly Newsletter • SMBR Website • SMBR Eventbrite • Constant Contact e- blasts/announcements • Supportive Services workshops: Small Business Office Hours I’m Certified, What’s Next? Workshop Small Business Resources Workshops • • • • Doing Business with the City of Austin: Small Business Perspectives (panel discussions) • Meet the Prime and Meet the Sub • Permitting and Development Workshops • Social Media: Facebook and LinkedIn • Social Medial Tool Kits • SMBR’s Eventbrite • SpeakUp Austin • Annual Small Business Connections Conf. • NextDoor (DECA) • Austin Chamber • Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce • Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce • Greater Austin Black Chamber • Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce • Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) • SMBR Resources Guide • Annual Diversity in Contracting Awards • She Built This- Small Business Spotlight series • UT Austin’s IC2 Institute • Inaugural FY24 Annual Report • Airport Expansion and Development Program • Certified Small Business Success Stories • Stakeholder partnerships – (ex. Certified • Brag Sheet • Media Activities: • Gateway 2 Concessions webinars • Runway to Opportunities events • Concessions Industry Day • Active Construction Equity Outreach Plan • Pre-Certification Workshop Campaign businesses, Annual Black Business Summitt, American YouthWorks) • Supportive Services Campaign • Minority Trade Associations • City of Austin Departments 4 Highlights • FY24 created the department’s first Annual Report and Communications Plan. • FY24 and FY25 developed and implemented city-wide social media toolkit for Annual Small Business Connections Conference. Registration FY23: 776 FY24: 793 FY25: 1,389 Attendance FY 23: approx. 300-350 FY24: 700 FY25: 771 • FY24 began ramping up content in socials and FY25 began paid advertising on Facebook. 300 followers 1,000+ followers year end 5 Highlights • FY25 launched She Built This 3-part video series featured on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube, featuring certified Woman Business Enterprises. • FY26 launched Certified Business Success Stories on LinkedIn and Facebook. Within a week, 18 business applied to be featured. 6 Updated Business Contact Information ABOUT THE ACDBE PROGRAM Certified firms are required to ensure their business information, contact information, and commodity codes are updated in the Certification and Compliance System (CCS) and Ausitn Finance Online (AFO). SMBR notifies businesses of this requirement during the following actions: • Pre-Certification Workshop • SMBR’s Certification webpage • Certification Application Process • City’s Registration Process (Austin Finance Online) – City’s Central Procurement Office sends reminders • Official Certification (Congratulations) Letter • • Presentations and Outreach Events • Recertification process • Quarterly Newsletters I’m Certified, What’s Next? Workshop • Note: When SMBR staff receive a bounce back email or if contact information is different in AFO vs. CCS, attempts are made to contact business to update both systems. 7 Procurement opportunities and identification of ABOUT THE ACDBE PROGRAM Scopes of Work Certified firms are notified of City of Austin procurement opportunities through Austin Finance Online and by SMBR Compliance staff. Austin Finance Online • The commodity codes that are selected as part of the solicitation’s Trade Summary subcontracting opportunities, drive notification. • Notification of the procurement opportunity is based on the commodity codes the certified vendor has selected on the AFO Vendor Profile. • Vendor does not have to be certified in a code to receive notice of the opportunity. Austin SMBR Compliance Bid Opportunity Notices • Bid Notice is auto-generated from in the eCAPRIS system • Emailed to all certified vendors that are part of the solicitation Availability List • Notification provides the following information: • Brief project Scope of Work • Pre-Bid/Pre-Response Date, Time and Location • Response Due Date & Time • All solicitation contracts (Procurement, Austin SMBR, City Project Manager) • Link to Austin Finance Online 8 Procurement opportunities and identification of Scopes of Work ABOUT THE ACDBE PROGRAM 9 Questions? www.austintexas.gov/smbr