1.     Kudos for Karen Bailey:  We are very pleased to announce that our partner at Penn National Gaming, Inc., Karen Bailey has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Public Affairs.  Please join us in congratulating Karen on this well-deserved promotion.  She keeps moving upward!

2.     Update on Sequester:  The changes being made by the Sequester are now taking form.  We have posted an article describing what happens in the near future.  Read it and see if it is going to have an effect on your business.

3.     Historical Small Business Summit:  You are all encouraged to participate in the historical Small Business Summit, April 29 – May 1, 2013, hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the National Black Chamber of Commerce, The Latino Coalition and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).  A great opportunity is the Business to Business Matchmaking Event where some of the larger corporations and federal agencies will be coming to seek bona fide and qualified small businesses for contracting, subcontracting, joint venturing, etc.  NBCC members are offered a discounted registration fee.

4.     New Chapters:  A warm welcome to our newest chapters:  South Coast Black Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce and the South Carolina African American Chamber of Commerce.  They now belong to the largest Black business association in the world.

5.     A Possibility of a Budget:  For the first time in four years the US Senate has prepared a budget.  This makes both the House and Senate to match their versions and begin reaching a compromise.  Hopefully, this will happen when they return to session and the White House will respond positively.  Our great nation deserves this.

For information: info@nationalbcc.org www.nationalalbcc.org

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