President’s Message – July 2023

Osiyo, and happy Summer!

I hope you’ve had a chance to take a break and spend time with loved ones or explore a new vacation spot. And if not, I hope you’ve been able to stay cool in this heat across the country.

Now that we’re halfway through Summer, I wanted to take a moment to let you know about a few things happening at The National Center and what to expect in the future. But first, let me brag about my terrific staff and Board. Earlier this month, Chief of Staff Erin Abrahamson, Director of Communications Emerald Skye Byrd, and Board Member Will Lowe participated in the Executive Education program at Harvard Business School for “Leading Tribal Nations.” This special program was made possible by NCAI in special partnership with the San Manuel Mission Band of Indians. This rigorous program is designed to equip tribal leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to advance their capacity for strategic governance. It was a well-deserved honor for leaders in Indian Country and I know it will be beneficial in their professional journey.

In the coming days, we’re hosting two events that may be of interest to you. On Wednesday, July 19, our Arizona MBDA Export Center will host its next Trade Talks webinar, titled “How to Succeed in International Business without Really Trying.” We all know it takes hard work and a plan to succeed in any business venture, but as the title suggests, you don’t need to be intimidated by taking your business international. You can register for this free, online event by clicking here.

The following day, several members of our team will be in the Big Apple for the next Native Edge Institute, taking place at the tribally-owned Hard Rock Hotel in Times Square. If you’re interested in taking your business to the next level, join us – either in-person or online – for this great, one-day, and FREE event. In-person attendees will receive one free RES 2024 registration! You can click here to register for NEI New York City.

Speaking of trade, our Trade & Export team will be at the 35th Annual Department of the Navy Gold Coast Small Business Procurement Event in San Diego later this month July 26 – July 28. The Trade & Export team was also recently in attendance at the Arizona Governors Conference of Tourism in Tucson.

And finally, if you attended RES 2023, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to take a short survey and give your feedback on the event. Your responses help us plan for RES 2024 and beyond, ensuring that everyone gets the most of their time in Vegas. Filling out the survey gives you a chance to be eligible to participate in a raffle to win the following prizes:

Don’t forget to put a hold for March 11-14 for RES 2024. We’ll have more information and a registration date in the coming weeks – stay tuned!

Again, thank you for your support of The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Chris James
President and CEO
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development