NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Allstate Insurance
Company (NYSE: ALL) will host its fourth annual Supplier Diversity
Exchange October 13 in partnership
with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Allstate's Supplier Diversity
Exchange fosters an opportunity for minority-, women-, LGBT-, and
veteran-owned businesses to competitively bid for contracts with
Allstate and Allstate's major suppliers. This event also provides
small businesses a venue for personal one-on-one time with Allstate
staff.
In 2010 over 850 million dollars
in commissions were spent with women- and minority-owned Allstate
agencies. Adding that figure to the 200 million the company
spent with diverse suppliers brings Allstate's total spend to over
one billion dollars in 2010.
"Inclusive diversity is not just a core value at Allstate, it's
a business imperative," said Cheryl
Harris, senior vice president, Allstate Insurance Company.
"When difficult economic times force belt tightening, supplier
diversity programs can help keep the door open for many small
businesses."
The Exchange, supported by more than 200 Allstate volunteers,
also offers business owners a forum for guidance and networking.
The event features a panel of Allstate leaders and heads of top
diverse suppliers, hosted by Dr. Melvin
Gravely, managing director for the Institute for
Entrepreneurial Thinking. Participants will share valuable insight
about making corporate connections, and maintaining and growing
business relationships.
Panelists include:
- Suren Gupta, executive vice
president, Allstate Technology Operations
- Bob Wasserman, senior vice
president e-Business, Allstate
- Earvin "Magic" Johnson, chief executive officer, Magic Johnson
Enterprises
- Prashant Ranade, chief executive
officer, Syntel
- Firoz Lalji, chief executive
officer, Zones
"I am happy to be here to support my partner Allstate in their
effort to empower and provide resources to small, minority- and
women-owned businesses. Through the promotion of diversity and
inclusion through events such as this, Allstate advances change,
creates countless opportunities for small businesses and provides
the opportunity for job creation at an important economic time,"
said Earvin "Magic" Johnson, chief executive officer, Magic Johnson
Enterprises. "I appreciate the opportunity to share the wisdom I
followed through my business experiences with other diverse
business owners to contribute to their continued growth."
Cheryl Harris and Mike Escobar, Allstate Insurance Company and
Magic Johnson, are available for interviews. Follow Supplier
Diversity Exchange updates on Twitter at @AllstateSuplDiv and see
video highlights from previous events on Allstate's digital
newsroom.
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest
publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good
Hands With Allstate®" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary
as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to
help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and
better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance
products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through
Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive
financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and
1-800 Allstate®.
SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company