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Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) is launching a series of traveling business conferences for minority business owners, beginning Tuesday morning at the Greenbelt Marriott in Prince George's County.

More than 300 people are expected to attend what is being billed as MBE University, including minority and small-business owners, private contractors and representatives from local and state governments. Workshops will be offered to help inform and train minority business owners on government procurement and contracting and provide tips on how to expand business during the recession.

O'Malley will also host a roundtable discussion on the state of minority business in Maryland.

"There are a quarter of a million minority businesses in the state, employing thousands of people," said O'Malley spokesman Shaun Adamec, adding that these businesses play a vital role in the state's economic recovery. "The governor has continued to reach out to the small business community to make sure they're part of this process."

The conference is a collaboration involving the governor's office, the Department of Business and Economic Development and the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs.

Maryland has the oldest and most aggressive minority business program in the country, Adamec said.

Hubert "Petey" Green, president of the Prince George's County Black Chamber of Commerce, said he hopes the conference will increase exposure for attending minority businesses by having private, state and local contractors at the event. He lauded the diversity of organizations' representatives scheduled for the event.

"I thank the governor for stepping up and bringing this idea to fruition," said Green, who said he plans to attend. "I think if we all cooperate, it will work out well."

Kwasi G. Holman, executive director of the Prince George's County Economic Development Corp., called MBE University "an innovative approach." He said his organization's Small Business Initiative has often worked with the minority affairs office to offer procurement events, helping county small businesses connect with major contracting agencies.

Green said he is also looking forward to seeing how chamber members can benefit from MBE University, along with other minority businesses in the state.

"Information is power. Getting information directly from the sources could decrease the confusion," said Rhonda Slade, CEO of the Prince George's Chamber of Commerce, who also plans to attend.

Slade said the state minority affairs office has conducted much outreach in the county and has been regularly requesting feedback to simplify its efforts. She said MBE University represents the state's response to some of this feedback.

Green said it is particularly relevant for the program to kick off in Prince George's because it has the most minority-owned businesses in the state and because of its proximity to federal facilities.

The governor plans to hold the next MBE University in Baltimore, with more in 2010. Adamec said the program will not necessarily operate monthly, as the Capital for a Day program does, but it will seek to hit every region so business leaders statewide will have a chance to attend. The governor's office is still working out a schedule, he said.

"Firms are seeking these kinds of opportunities to be able to enrich their businesses," Green said.

Correction: This story was corrected because the original version misquoted Shaun Adamec regarding the number of minority businesses in Maryland..