The Houston Airport System (HAS) has new goals for the concessions program beginning this year, until 2011.

These goals involve Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprises or ACDBEs.

On February 24 and February 25, the HAS Office of Small Business Development and Contract Compliance will hold two informational meetings which will discuss the advantages of teaming up with women-owned, minority and/or disabled firms.

“This is the perfect time to meet and greet minority, women and disadvantaged business owners, as well as community and trade organizations,” says J. Goodwille Pierre, Small Business Development and Contract Compliance manager. “Any prime concession looking for Disadvantaged Businesses should make plans to have a booth and representatives at both events.”

The first informational meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 24 at Texas Southern University. A networking breakfast will begin at 8:00 a.m., followed by a stakeholders meeting which runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Both events will take place in the Small Business Resource Center, located in the Jesse H. Jones School of Business at T.S.U.

On Wednesday, February 25, a networking lunch will be held at the HAS Technical Services and Small Business Development Office located at 18600 Lee Road, Houston, TX. The lunch will be followed by a stakeholders meeting which will run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the same location.