More than 80 area businesses are expected to showcase the region's diversity at the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce's Diversify 2015 meeting later this month.
"It's quite a unique bunch of businesses that are coming," said Maria Noel, who directs African-American business development for the Chamber.
Slated for June 24 at the Convention Center, Janice Bryant Howroyd, chief executive and chairman of the Act 1 Group and the first African-American woman to direct a billion-dollar enterprise, will give the keynote address at Diversify 2015.
The company serves more than 13,000 clients globally and ranks second on Black Enterprise magazine's BE 100 List, according to the Chamber.
Noel said minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses will sell their products and services at Diversify 2015.
She said Chattanooga's population is 42 percent nonwhite and 35 percent African-American.
"We've got a global population that's growing. We've got people who are coming from other cities, young entrepreneurs," Noel said.
She said organizers are expecting more than 700 attendees.
The marketplace will be open from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Howroyd will discuss her road to success during the luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Opportunities are still available for businesses to sell products and market services at Diversify 2015. Vendor tables cost $75 and include one free luncheon ticket. Booths are $250 without electricity, $300 with electricity and include two free luncheon tickets.
Contact Darian Scott at 423-595-3152 or dscott@chattanoogachamber.com for more information on vendor tables and booths.
Attendees must reserve luncheon tickets in advance. The cost for individuals is $45 for Chamber members and $55 for nonmembers. Corporate tables cost $500 for members and $600 for nonmembers.
Call 423-763-4357 or events@chattanoogachamber.com for luncheon ticket information.