A New Chapter for Adworkshop - Certified Women-Owned Enterprise

When Adworkshop was established by Tom and Adele Connors in 1977, they were the only employees. More than three decades later, Adele says she still marvels at the way the company has evolved, and how it continues to expand into new areas. Imaginative website designs are becoming a hallmark of Adworkshop's talented web team, and the company is known as an innovative tourism marketing agency. Even so, change is happening.

In December, Adworkshop and its public relations division, Inphorm, was certified as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise through New York State's Division of Minority and Women Business Development. This certification starts a new chapter in our upstate New York Digital Marketing Agency's history - a new, unexpected and exciting one. This is especially true for the majority shareholders - Adworkshop and Inphorm's 16 female employees.

New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo endorsed the MWBE program in his State of the State Address on January 5, 2011, saying that he would like to see a participation boost of 20 percent for MWBEs in state contracts. Additional, Governor Cuomo pledged to ease the bonding restrictions that MWBEs can face, while expanding the Owner-Controlled Insurance Program model for small businesses.

As a women-owned business enterprise, Adworkshop and Inphorm join more than 6,000 MWBE certified businesses in New York State.

So what does this mean for our company?

Now that we're listed in the Directory of Certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, which state agencies and contractors use as a resource to locate businesses throughout New York, Adworkshop will have an added advantage when pursuing state contracts.

The state's primary objectives for MWBEs have been outlined by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli:

• To promote employment and "fair share" business opportunitieson OSC contracts for minorities and women.
• To provide resources and opportunities for MWBEs to improve their business position in conducting business with New York State.
• To increase the development and utilization of qualified business firms owned by minority group members and women through such means as contracting, subcontracting, and commodity procurement.
• To advance public policy that enhances and facilitates greater transparency, accountability and support of diversity, while promoting the highest standard of professional and ethical conduct.
• To create awareness of OSC's MWBE Program and share Agency best practices.
• To perform outreach at conferences, trade shows, and other forums that increase understanding of OSC procurement opportunities, and to cultivate relationships with MWBE firms.

Now that the company is MWBE certified, everyone at Adworkshop and Inphorm is looking forward to what is coming next.