What is the Emerging Business Program?
It is the goal of the National Football League that minority- and woman-owned businesses have the maximum opportunity to participate in the Super Bowl procurement process. The NFL Emerging Business Program is designed to provide local minority- and woman-owned businesses access to these procurement opportunities. While participation in the program does not guarantee receipt of Super Bowl XLIII-related contracts, it is the intention of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee (SBHC) that interested minority- and woman-owned businesses receive information on the Super Bowl procurement process and an introduction to potential purchasing entities.

How do I participate in the Emerging Business Program?
Participation in the Emerging Business program requires completion of the official program application, available here. Vendors must complete the online application and submit proof of certification as a minority- or woman-owned business. Upon receipt of these materials, business will be included in the official Online Business Resource Guide, available on April 1.

What is the Emerging Business Resource Guide?
Businesses participating in the Emerging Business Program are included in the Host Committee's online Business Resource Guide, which will be available on this Web site beginning in April. The guide will be made available to NFL contractors, affiliates, corporate sponsors and event planners in search of goods or services in the Tampa Bay area. We have made our guide available online to allow for the most up-to-date information regarding those certified companies registered in the program.

How do I become certified for the Emerging Business Program?
Vendors may be certified with a pre-approved certifying agency. Click here to view a list of approved certifying agencies.

Who is considered a minority?
The U.S. Small Business Association includes African American, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans, Asian-Indian Americans and other specified groups as minorities.

What is a minority-owned business?
This is a business that is at least 51% owned, controlled and operated on a daily basis by one or more minority individuals.

What is a woman-owned business?
A business that is at least 51% owned, controlled and operated by a woman or women of any ethnic race.

What is a certified business?
This is a minority-or woman-owned firm whose status as a minority- or woman-owned, controlled and operated organization has been verified by an independent agency as authorized by the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee.

As a participant in the Emerging Business Program, how soon can I expect someone to contact me for my goods or services?
As a participant in the Emerging Business Program, your company will be listed in the online Emerging Business Resource Guide. NFL contractors and event planners will utilize this Resource Guide and will contact you directly if they request your goods or services.

How do I change my contact information in the Emerging Business Resource Guide?
Once the Online Business Resource Guide is live, please review your business listing. If you need to make changes, please send an e-mail to business@tampabaysuperbowl.com.

What goods or services are typically requested by the NFL in the Super Bowl procurement process?
While the NFL procures a host of goods and services during their implementation of Super Bowl, the following categories represent those areas with the greatest procurement opportunity. If your primary source of business is in one of the following categories, please apply to be a part of the Emerging Business program.

If you register as a business in a category that is not listed, we will hold onto your information in our files, but cannot guarantee that your business will be listed in the Business Resource Guide.

Audio/Visual
Balloons
Barricades
Building Materials
Carpenters
Carpet/Flooring
Catering
Decorations
Destination Management
Electronic (Wire & Supplies)
Employment Agencies
Entertainment
Equipment Rentals
Event Planning
Fencing
Florist/Flowers
Food and Beverage
Furniture (Office, Lounge)
General Contractors

General Laborers
Generators
Gift Baskets
Gift Items
Golf Carts
Hardware Supplies
Heavy Equipment
Janitorial Services/Supplies
Lighting/Staging
Linens
Merchandisers
Messenger/Courier Service
Novelties
Office Supplies
Painters
Photography
Pipe and Drape
Port-O-Lets
Printing

Pyrotechnics
Scaffolding
Security
Set Design and Construction
Signs and Banners
Sound
Staff
  (Temp, Laborers, Techs)
Tables and Chairs
Tenting
Tour Services
Trailers
Transportation
Vans
Video Equipment
Waste Removal