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...rs is a formidable task, but one that the host committee has made a priority. Minority- and women-owned businesses that participate in the Emerging Business Program aren't guaranteed contracts, but the contacts they'll make and the business lessons they'll learn should help propel their ventures to the next level. In some respects, making those connections is more important to a company's long-term success than furiously filling short-term contracts for the big game. In Jacksonville, Fla., this year about 125 of the 350 registered minority- and women-owned companies landed contracts totaling about $2.5 million. The previous year in Houston, 182 of the 509 registered companies took in $3.5 million. Detroit should expect similar or better numbers. Participants will learn everything from sales and marketing to finance and licensing. Getting that exposure would be rohibitively expensive for most small business owners and those who qualify for the program should jump at the opportunity. The benefits extend beyond the ...