DFW International Airport Announces First Bilingual Newsletter

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas (September 17, 2002) — DFW International Airport announced today that it will distribute its first bilingual newsletter published in Spanish and English by the Small & Emerging Business Department. DFW Airport is one of a few select airports that goes this extra step to provide helpful information to the growing population of predominantly Spanish-speaking small business owners. The electronic newsletter will be distributed directly to vendors by email and will be published online at: http://www.dfwairport.com/smallbiz/pdf/seb_newsletter_sp.pdf

DFW is incorporating this bilingual outreach strategy so that language will not be a barrier for those businesses that are predominantly Spanish speaking. By offering the newsletter in Spanish, the Airport hopes to attract more Hispanic business owners to compete for contracts at DFW. Currently, there are more than 300 minority vendors participating in DFW’s Minority/Woman-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) program, and the Airport's goal is to continually increase minority participation during 2003.

“The Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise program is already a strong aspect of our vendor outreach plan. With the introduction of the bilingual newsletter we expect to have a greater impact on the minority business community by giving it more incentive to participate in the contract bidding process,” says Jeff Fegan, CEO at DFW Airport.

Specifically designed to reach a diverse database of more than 3,000 vendors, the quarterly newsletter includes the latest information for DFW vendors. The newsletter also contains names and phone numbers of business contacts at DFW, and lists workshop dates, scheduled projects and upcoming contracts.

The bilingual newsletter is one of many new resources DFW is utilizing to benefit its diverse vendor base. The M/WBE program at DFW is already recognized as one of the most innovative and successful business assistance programs of its kind. Currently, the Airport has achieved an outstanding M/WBE participation rate of 36 percent on construction contracts, 29.4 percent for professional services and 17.2 percent in the general procurement category. As of May 31, 2002, M/WBE expenditures totaled more than $165 million, with 33 percent going to M/WBE firms, surpassing the 26 percent benchmark goal.

Don O'Bannon, recently hired as vice president of the Small & Emerging Business Department, has already developed a winning strategy. “My priority is to provide the highest level of service to the minority business community," says O’Bannon. Bringing more than 18 years of industry and legal expertise to his position, O’Bannon further states, "I want to take the program to the next level in outreach and improve current activity. One of my top goals is to provide realistic solutions to the obstacles faced by minority businesses. Making the newsletter available in Spanish is one way to remove obstacles.”

Linda Valdez-Thompson, executive vice president of administration and diversity, says, “Given the growth of the Latino community in the Metroplex and the increase in the potential vendor base, it is important for DFW to take affirmative steps to communicate the opportunities at DFW Airport.”

The Small & Emerging Business Department continues to look for methods to help M/WBE companies achieve success through their programs. Besides the newsletter, DFW offers a variety of educational forums such as the Small Contractors Development Training Workshops and a Surety Support Program that helps potential subcontractors on bonding, insurance issues, and assistance in contract financing.

Businesses can contact the Small & Emerging Business Department at: Don T. O'Bannon Small & Emerging Business Department P.O. Box 619428 DFW Airport, Texas 75261-9428 dobannon@dfwairport.com 972 574 8008 www.dfwairport.com

To download the newsletter, visit www.dfwairport.com/smallbiz/pdf/seb_newsletter.pdf for English www.dfwairport.com/smallbiz/pdf/seb_newsletter_sp.pdf for Spanish

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's third busiest, offering nearly 2,000 flights per day and serving 55 million passengers a year. DFW International Airport provides non-stop service to 130 domestic and 30 international destinations worldwide. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, log on to www.dfwairport.com.

To arrange interviews, contact DFW Public Affairs at 972 574 NEWS (6397) or Ken Capps, APR, Vice President Public Affairs, at kcapps@dfwairport.com.