Virginia Business Opportunity Fair Banquet

ииН1 +X-1I EXCERPTS FROM REMARKS MADE TO THE VIRGINIA BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FAIR BANQUET 7:00 P.M. APRIL 2, 1991 MARRIOTT HOTEL RICHMOND, VIRGINIA BY GOVERNOR L. DOUGLAS WILDER Thank you. I'm pleased to have this opportunity to be with you this evening for the 1991 Virginia Business Opportunity Fair Banquet. As business leaders, you all know the value of time. As an elected official, I know the wisdom of brevity. Perhaps that's why business and government are such natural partners in Virginia ... .we respect each other's time. This evening, I will be especially respectful; my remarks will be especially brief. At the outset, I want to take a moment to recognize the participation and sponsorship of those corporations and individuals who devote their time, energies, and talents to making this event a resounding success year after year. Although time constraints prevent me from singling you out by name, you each can take great pride in knowing that you are equal architects of this worthy endeavor. Since its inception in the 1970 's, participation in... and the reputation of... the Virginia Business Opportunity Fair has grown steadily. Some of you may recall that, as a State Senator during the 1970 's, I introduced legislation giving agency status to the then Office of Minority Business Enterprise. . . .which was a major impetus behind the original "Showcases" from which the Fair evolved. Today, as a result of your efforts and continuing commitment, this ambitious undertaking is now recognized as one of the leading minority business development trade fairs in the country. I commend you for that noteworthy achievement. Those of us here this evening know the importance of small businesses in maintaining the health and vitality of the economy; in fact, in certain respects, the term "small business" is a misnomer: small business is BIG business in Virginia.