Spearheaded by Wendy Lewis, MLB Senior Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion & Strategic Alliances, Major League Baseball has implemented the ultimate engagement model for job seekers interested in working for the industry of baseball and entrepreneurs who are interested in doing business with the game. The MLB Diversity Business Summit is unprecedented and is the only event of its kind in sports.

MLB will partner with the Arizona Diamondbacks to co-host the 2016 MLB Diversity Business Summit in Greater Phoenix along with the other 29 MLB clubs in March 2016. The event will provide attendees with exclusive access to human resource and procurement executives from all 30 MLB Clubs, MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media, Minor League Baseball Clubs and MLB’s Central Office.

The MLB Diversity Business Summit provides job seekers and entrepreneurs with opportunities to connect directly with decision-makers regarding employment and business opportunities.

Various elements of the MLB Diversity Business Summit will be held on March 8th and 9th (2016) at Chase Field, the Regular Season home of the D-backs, and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the Spring Training home of the D-backs and the Colorado Rockies. Features of the 2016 Summit will include event-wide networking, exhibit floor access, workshops, executive roundtable discussions and a keynote speech by Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr.

“Major League Baseball is pleased to join the Arizona Diamondbacks in hosting the 2016 Diversity Business Summit, our first during Spring Training,” Commissioner Manfred said. “Diversity and inclusion are core tenets of our industry. As fans gather in anticipation of the 2016 Championship Season, we will be proud to offer unparalleled access and networking toward the pursuit of business and employment opportunities within our game.”

“Arizona is one of the most diverse states in our nation and we are honored to host this summit next year at a time when all eyes are on us,” said D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall, who serves on MLB’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. “We recognize the great importance of a diverse work force and supplier base and we are proud to help lead the way in expanding those opportunities in baseball and making this the best summit to date.”

The previous three MLB Diversity Business Summits were held during the Regular Season calendar in Chicago (2012; co-hosted by the Chicago White Sox), Houston (2013; co-hosted by the Houston Astros) and New York (2014; co-hosted by the New York Yankees). In total, the three previous MLB Diversity Business Summits attracted more than 3,000 attendees from across the United States. Last year’s summit in New York City was SOLD OUT and the same is anticipated for 2016.

Since the days of Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey and the Negro Leagues, Diversity and Inclusion has remained a part of baseball’s legacy and its central missions! MLB is committed to a full diverse representation on and off the field and the development of social and economic platforms. The MLB Diversity Business Summit is a key component of baseball’s Diversity & Inclusion strategy for success. For more information on the 2016 MLB Diversity Business Summit visit: www.mlb.com/diversitysummit.