(TULSA, Okla.) The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma (AICCO) will return to River Spirit Casino and Resort this July for The Gathering Business Summit. Organizers say this year is all about championing more diversity within national economies.
“Our goal is to not just highlight and promote diversity throughout Oklahoma and across the US,” AICCO State Board President Bailey Walker said. “We are encouraging all of our tribal and business leaders directly to actively engage in what our chamber members and supporters have to offer. The strength of our community businesses and leadership is a force to be reckoned with, and we know here at AICCO it is a force for good.”
Launched publicly in Tulsa 30 years ago this year, AICCO is now the largest chamber of Native and minority-owned businesses in Oklahoma, committed to strengthening and advancing economic opportunity with an emphasis on the Native perspective.
The chamber has since branched out to additional chapters throughout the state, including an Oklahoma City chapter and an Eastern chapter in Okmulgee.
Now in its 8th year, The Gathering, AICCO’s biggest annual event of the year will return to its Tulsa roots, taking place Sunday, July 23, through Tuesday, July 25.
Full conference registration, One Day Passes, Vendor Booth Registration, and Artisan Registration are available for purchase here.
Over the years, The Gathering has expanded from speakers and vendors to full-scale business matchmaking and multiple networking opportunities. Topics range from successful field-tested strategies of local organizations, how to secure government contracts, and getting funding and resources for small businesses.
Attendees, chamber members and non-members alike, are also from varied public and private sectors, such astelecommunication firms, digital enterprises, federal contractors, and even fashion designers and other artists.
“Looking back at history, Native Americans have always evolved to survive,” Walker said. “This goes hand-in-hand with why Indian Country businesses are thriving and worthy of time and investment today.”
Walker said diversity sparks innovation when integrated into business, bringing different perspectives together to build best practices of success. That diversity-fueled innovation is what he hopes to highlight at this year’s event.
The Gathering’s diversity spotlight will also be facilitated by directors of preferred Indian-owned programs and Tribal Employment Rights Offices (TEROs) from a number of tribes across Oklahoma in attendance this July. The Gathering Business Summit 2023 tickets are available for purchase now.
For more information, visit https://aiccok.org/events/business-summit/
