1st Thursday Outlook Calls

On September 5, 2024, Patrick Bell from the Louisiana Department of Insurance shared expert insights on managing risks, identifying potential business exposures, and safeguarding your operations with the right insurance products, coverages, and endorsements.

On August 1, 2024, Andrew Tadman from the East Baton Rouge Parish Library shared valuable resources, including virtual reality trade skills training and other tools available through East Baton Rouge Parish Library.

On July 11, 2024, Will Campbell from b1Bank Foundation shared how businesses can leverage their Small Business Center and its resources to scale and grow effectively. The MOVEBR Program Managers also shared information on upcoming projects that will be advertised through MOVEBR.

On June 6, 2024, the MOVEBR Communication group shared best practices for websites, networking, and social media, emphasizing the crucial role of marketing in achieving business success.

On May 2, 2024, the Small Business Outreach Team provided a look at common bid errors that have recently caused some bids to be considered “non-responsive”, costing small businesses the opportunity to do business with the City-Parish and creating delays and additional expenses for the City-Parish when bids have to be rejected. The MOVEBR Program Managers also shareed a look at upcoming projects that will be bid soon.

On April 4, 2024, the Small Business Outreach Team provided updates on upcoming MOVEBR projects that have a Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Business (SEDBE) goal set and discussed the importance of SEDBE certification.

On March 7, 2024, Trae Russell, Vice President of Covalent Logic, gave a live tutorial of the MOVEBR website. The presentation provided an overview of the MOVEBR program and contained helpful information for anyone who visits the website looking for information on doing work with the program.

On February 1, 2024,the MOVEBR Program Managers gave a report on the MOVEBR Small Business Outreach (SBO) Initiative, including where the contracting process stands, how we got here and where we are going. They also provided insights on the impact the MOVEBR program has had on small businesses since its launch.

On December 7, 2023, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome provided updates on the MOVEBR progress in 2023, discussed the accomplishments of the MOVEBR Small Business Outreach Initiative and the Socially, Economically & Disadvantaged Business Program, and how these efforts have impacted the community.

On November 2, 2023, Tom Stephens, Chief Engineer for East Baton Rouge Parish, provided updates on the Socially & Economically Disadvantaged Business (SEDB) Program and discuss pervious concrete. Additionally, MOVEBR Program Managers will discuss the projected procurement outlook for the next quarter.

On October 5, 2023, MOVEBR Deputy Program Manager Jason Crain provided updates on the sidewalk and ADA compliance projects. Additionally, the MOVEBR Program Managers discussed the projected procurement outlook for the next quarter.

On September 7, 2023, Michael Demouy, Executive Director of the Concrete and Aggregates Association of Louisiana, discussed the process to become a certified vendor. Additionally, the MOVEBR Program Managers discussed the projected procurement outlook for the next quarter.

On August 3, 2023, Ken Naquin, Chief Executive Officer of Associated General Contractors of Louisiana shared new partnership opportunities designed to connect contractors with the resources they need to grow their businesses.

On June 1, 2023, Paul Narcisse, Director of Purchasing, Dr. Raquel Ayles, Director of the Office of Supplier Diversity, and the MOVEBR Program Managers provided updates on the Socially & Economically Disadvantaged Business (SEDB) Program.

On May 4, 2023, Solomon Lee, Program Manager with Louisiana Economic Development, shared information on what services are available through the agency for small businesses. Additionally, the program managers discussed the upcoming projects and the projected procurement outlook for the next quarter.

On April 6, 2023, Paul Narcisse, Interim Purchasing Director for the City-Parish, provided an update on the Socially & Economically Disadvantaged Business (SEDB) Program.

On March 2, 2023, The Luster Group, a small minority-owned business, provided insights on their approach to reviewing and submitting bids on procurement opportunities. Additionally, the program managers reviewed the current procurement outlook.

On February 2, 2023, the MOVEBR Program Managers provided information on the Community Improvement Projects recently approved by the Metro Council and details on the upcoming MOVEBR Projects Showcase.

On January 12, 2023, members of the program management team, Jason Crain and Kate Prejean discussed the programmatic outlook for 2023. They reviewed projects scheduled to be advertised, provide project details, and gave insights on what to expect moving forward.

On December 1, 2022, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome discussed her initial vision and the accomplishments of the Small Business Outreach Initiative, her administration's goals for the Socially & Economically Disadvantaged Business Program and how these efforts will have an impact on our community.

On November 3, 2022, Kris Goranson - Director of Purchasing, Paul Narcisse - Assistant Director of Purchasing, & Kenyatta Sparks - Program Manager, SJB Group discussed the Supplier Diversity - Socially & Economically Disadvantaged Business (SEDB) Program launch and the impact on the MOVEBR Program.

On October 6, 2022, Tom Stephens and Michael Demouy discussed pervious concrete and its implementation on MOVEBR Projects. The MOVEBR Program Managers also provided information on the city-parish's goals for pervious concrete and how businesses can bid on upcoming projects.

On September 1, 2022, the MOVEBR Program Managers provided information on how businesses can bid on upcoming projects.

On August 4, 2022, Darius Bonton, Principal Engineer of Bonton Associates, shared his path to winning work, keeping work, and relationship development on the MOVEBR Program.

On July 7, 2022, the MOVEBR Program Managers held a discussion on the City-Parish Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Businesses (SEDB) program, and Kenyatta Sparks, DBE specialist for the SJB Group and LA-DOTD, provided updates on DBE certification.

On June 2, 2022, guest speaker Miller Hilliard of R.A. Brunson, Inc. provided information on the LED Bond Assist Program. You can download the presentation here.

On May 5, 2022, Ann Trappey, Vice-President for Outreach for Forte & Tablada, and Willie Parms, President of Parms Construction, LLC, provided tips and best practices on how primes and subs can interact to have a beneficial and long-standing relationship.

On April 7, 2022, Kris Goranson, Director of Purchasing for the City-Parish, provided information on how to submit bids and how to avoid common errors when submitting bid documents. Additionally, the MOVEBR Program Managers provided an update on the upcoming procurement opportunities.

On March 3, 2022, Justin (Jay) Gaudet, a local entrepreneur and business development officer with TruFund Financial, shared information on the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Capital Region Revolving Loan Fund administered by TruFund Financial Services and lead strategic partner the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC).

On February 3, 2022, Kenyatta Sparks discussed how businesses can obtain their DBE Certification and the services provided by the SJB Group to assist businesses. Ken Naquin also provided information best practices for partnering with large construction firms on procurement opportunities.

On January 6, 2022, the MOVEBR Program Managers gave a walk-through on the Small Business Tool Kit and provided a look-ahead on upcoming projects.

On December 2, 2021, the MOVEBR Program Managers provided an in-depth discussion on the projects scheduled to be advertised in Q4 2021 and Q1 2022. The program managers also highlighted components of the projects that may be ideal for small business participation.

On November 4, 2021, guest speaker Meghan Montgomery May shared the importance of defining your brand and keeping it consistent, and best practices for social media and email marketing. The program managers also provided an overview of the projects being advertised for construction over the next few months.

On October 7, 2021, the MOVEBR Program Managers informed small businesses of the resources available through the MOVEBR Program. The program managers also provided an overview of projects being advertised for construction over the next few months.

On September 9, 2021, the MOVEBR Program Managers provided updates on upcoming projects including capacity and community enhancement projects with opportunities for small business participation. The program managers also provided a first look at 8 projects that will be let over the next few months.

On August 5, 2021, the MOVEBR Program Managers discussed the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification and answered questions on the Projected 12-Month Construction Advertisement Outlook. Kenyatta Sparks, with the SJB group, also provided information on the value of DBE certification.

On July 1, 2021, the MOVEBR Program Managers gave updates on projects scheduled to be advertised over the next 3-6 months. The project team also discussed pervious concrete that will be used in MOVEBR projects with special guest Bill Temple.

On June 3, 2021, Kris Goranson, Director of City-Parish Purchasing, discussed the city-parish's new program for small-, minority-, woman- and veteran-owned businesses. The project team also reviewed the current Projected 12-Month Construction Advertisement Outlook.

On May 6, 2021, the MOVEBR project team provided information on the benefit of signing up for our Construction Vendor Database and reviewed the current Projected 12-Month Construction Advertisement Outlook.

On April 1, 2021, the MOVEBR project team gave a look ahead and discussed openings for construction inspection services.