OAME is a non-profit, tax-exempt membership organization that has been in existence since 1987; with a mission to promote and develop entrepreneurship and economic development for ethnic minorities in the State of Oregon & SW Washington. We are an all-inclusive organization and encourage everyone to live by our motto: “Everybody’s In, Nobody’s Out.”
Membership with OAME supports the core services that we provide to our members, and to small businesses (MWEVDESB). OAME has partnerships with the Private, Public and Educational Sectors that lead to connections and business opportunities for you and your business. We focus on providing support services to small businesses; our core of services are: technical assistance, marketing, networking, access to capital, and business incubation. Our monthly networking events are “the place to be” with over 170 MWVESB attending the meetings. We currently have over 700 members from various industries and fields.
OAME’s Membership includes:
Business counseling to assess your business and identify the next steps for your business to grow and develop.
Networking with our partners to meet and find business opportunities
Access to our Micro Loan Program, US-SBA/ OAMECC Fund, loans from $500 to $ 50,000
Access to all related Portland Business Alliance (PBA) events at member prices.
Access to all related Travel Portland events at member prices.
20% discount off conference room rental fees at the OAME Center. (business events only)
Low-cost office space rentals at OAME Center
Special prices on a booth at our Annual Luncheon and Trade Show.
Listing in our Annual Directory, online and in print.
Advertisement in Annual Directory, in print.
A printed copy of the Annual Directory.
Free Advertisement(s) in Weekly e-Newsletter (distributed to over 3K recipients)
Advocacy for minority, women, and emerging small businesses.
Our annual Trade Show is held in May. 2022 was our 34th Trade Show & Luncheon. Each year we look for businesses to donate a gift/prize of their choosing for the Auction that is a part of the Trade Show.
OAME is “the place to be” for networking, getting connected, and finding business opportunities for your business! Check our website’s Calendar page to find networking meetings. They include the OAME Contractors, Architects, Engineers, and Professional Technical (CAEPT) Meeting and the Coffee & Issues Forum as well as many others.
Of course. OAME thanks you for attending!
For both the Coffee & Issues Forum and the Contractors, Architects, Engineers, and Professional Technical (CAEPT) Meeting you can sign in with your business information and find a seat among 150+ small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each attendee has 6-seconds to introduce themselves and talk about their business and services. Take notes during the introductions. There may be people you will want to talk with later. The meeting sponsor will share, followed by a short Safety Moment, and a brief Sustainability & Equity talk. The presentations are followed by networking time.
Coffee & Issues Forum is held the last Friday of the month. The Contractors, Architects, Engineers, and Professional Technical (CAEPT) Meeting is the second Friday of the month. Check the Calendar page for details and to RSVP.
Dues are annual and range in cost from $200 to $700 depending on the size and type of business. Dues for youth and students are $75 and $100 respectively. See our Member Benefits and Join page for details and to join OAME.
Free Advertising Opportunities: Your website profile on your Membership page includes the company logo and links to your website.
Paid opportunities include a short video and/or two additional pictures that can be included on your Membership Profile.
Sponsorship for our Annual Trade Show and Youth Conference each provides advertising opportunities. In addition, members can sponsor the monthly Coffee & Issues Forum and/or the Contractors, Architects, Engineers, and Professional Technical (CAEPT) Meeting for more opportunities. Learn more on our Donate & Sponsor page.
Currently, emails from OAME include information on OAME Events and the Membership Reminder.