FOURTH ANNUAL MINORITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (MED) WEEK CONFERENCE Point of Contact, Lisa H. Smith, Foster Wheeler, (423) 481-8612, or Mary V. Berry, U.S. Department of Energy, (423) 576-8217. The East Tennessee Minority Purchasing Council's (ETMPC) 4th Annual Minority Economic Development (MED) Week activities are scheduled for February 4-10, 1996 in Knox, Anderson, and Blount Counties. This year's theme is ``MED Week-'96: Turning Diversity Into Opportunity''. The Conference is sponsored by the ETMPC, in cooperation with the Knoxville Area Urban League, the East Tennessee Community Relations Council, the U.S. Department of Energy, Tennessee Valley Authority, and other area businesses and government contractors. ETMPC, a not-for-profit corporation, has as one of its missions, the encouragement and expansion of economic development opportunities for minority businesses. The highlight of MED Week will be the annual Conference, scheduled for February 7-8 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Knoxville. Approximately 300 corporate representatives, minority business owners and government officials are expected to attend the conference and exhibition. Dr. Ben Bissell, noted motivational speaker on change in the workplace, will lead off the conference. Dr. Dennis Kimbro, author of ``Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice'' will provide the luncheon address. U.S. Congressman Zack Wamp, who serves on the House Small Business Committee, will keynote the Awards Banquet on February 8. The conference will feature workshops to assist both large and small companies with the latest techniques and tools and updated information to enhance their business operations in addition to providing an excellent networking opportunity. The Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Knoxville, Tennessee, February 7-8, 1996. For more information call Mary Berry at 423-576-8217 or Katherine Bumgardner at 423-482-7440.

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