This unique program was created to open up new opportunities for women-and minority-owned business enterprises (WMBEs) interested in serving the engineering community in the cable telecommunications industry.

For cable companies that have made a commitment to supplier diversity, the Walter Kaitz Foundation has been instrumental in facilitating access to diverse suppliers through its National Supplier Diversity Initiative. This initiative includes a series of workshops for industry procurement officers and executives of women- and minority-owned business suppliers who want to understand how to become a viable supplier to the cable telecommunications industry. The particular workshops help member companies increase the breadth and depth of available vendors and provide the opportunity and a marketplace for a greater selection of service providers who are interested in serving the engineering community in the cable telecommunications industry.

This year's program will feature one of the industry's most respected and senior executives-David Cohen, Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation. Cohen will address how the changing business environment affects how organizations develop, manage and use diverse supplier relationships to manage risk and deliver increased value and in an ever-changing competitive environment.