by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
As part of the Super Bowl Host Committee’s ongoing Small & Emerging Business Workshop series, NFL representatives have scheduled a visit to Jacksonville Tuesday to further explain the program.
Taking place at the Osborn Center, interested businesses have been encouraged to attend, and Host Committee vice president of operations Reid Sigmon predicted a head count exceeding 1,000. “This is actually the first of three visits for Clayton Judge, the NFL’s manager of Special Events Business Development,” said Sigmon. “On this trip he’ll basically be explaining how a small business can do business with the NFL.”
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s Jacquie Gibbs, who also serves as the Host Committee chair of Small and Emerging Business Development, said Judge would also be available to identify potential business opportunities and also answer specific questions.
“Having him here allows our local businesses the opportunity to get the information they need first hand,” she said. “He tell them about answering Requests for Proposals and working with NFL contractors.
“Maybe, most importantly, he can refer to his past experiences in other Super Bowl cities and give an idea of the kinds of businesses who will be called upon next year.”
In addition to future workshops, Sigmon and Gibbs said a Business Resource Guide listing all participating businesses — each business must be certified by one of several certification agencies — will be produced and distributed to NFL contractors, affiliates, corporate sponsors and event planners.
“It works kind of like a phone book and it really does keep the smaller businesses in Jacksonville from being overlooked when the game comes to town,” he said.
Sigmon said the book will be broken down into approximately 40 categories.
“Our job is to assemble this guide and make sure it lists the kinds of businesses that NFL-related sponsors and other groups use, everything from catering to event planning. Basically, it covers everything and this is the kind of database that can provide for future opportunities even after the Super Bowl.”
To be a part of the program, interested businesses can apply online at www.JacksonvilleSuperBowl.com where a list of approved certifying agencies, including the City, U.S. Small Business Administration and the State’s Office of Supplier Diversity, is also provided.
“Super Bowl XXXIX is expected to provide a significant boost to the regional economy through direct and indirect spending,” said Gibbs, adding it is better to get involved as early as possible. “We all want to do our best to ensure small, minority and women-owned businesses in the area get an opportunity to realize some of that economic impact.
“There is no reason not to get involved.”
Gibbs said Judge may return in June for a subsequent small business workshop.
“That’s our goal, but we’ll have to talk to him more about it when arrives next week,” she said.