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At MGM National Harbor, diversity and inclusion is a core value that is not only found in their workforce, but equally in the creation of their ideas and minority business engagement. The vision for MGM National Harbor is a resort that provides a world-class experience to all of its guests, and is built, designed and operated by a team representative of the community that it serves. This is more than a business philosophy. It is a daily practice, which is evidenced by the commitment to engaging diverse contractors on the project, such as the recently awarded contracts to Asian American MBE’s – C.I. Designs and Sunbay Supplies. We congratulate C.I. Designs and Sunbay Supplies on earning the contracts, and wish them continued success in the growth of the companies.
C.I. Designs
It’s been 40 years for Ed Silva, but starting C.I. Designs is still fresh in his memory. Having just graduated from University of Maryland with a marketing degree, his father wanted him to get a federal government job. Like most parents, Mr. Silva’s father, primarily just wanted to make sure his son had steady income and could build a good life for himself. But Ed had another idea. He wanted to be an entrepreneur. Having worked with a close friend for a year in a window covering business, in 1972, Ed Silva decided to take out a loan and open his own interior window and wall covering company, C.I. Designs. Originally, the sole capabilities were just focused on wall coverings and windows, however, it has now grown to a 100% interior commercial construction company, with a major focus on healthcare industries.
Some of C.I. Designs’ major clients include Washington Hospital Center, Shady Grove Adventist Healthcare ICU, Civista Dialysis Center and Massachusetts Avenue Surgery Center, just to name a few. Mr. Silva can’t do all of the work by himself, but relies on his 15- member staff, two of whom are his sons, to help make sure C.I. Designs delivers the best product for their client base. It’s important that for his company and his family, he builds a legacy that will allow his company to grow.
“We are excited to be a part of the MGM National Harbor construction project.” says Silva. “Because of the magnitude of the project and MGM’s brand awareness around the country, we recognize the importance of what the resort will mean to the community.”
Sunbay Supplies LLC
When you enter your guest room for your first stay at MGM National Harbor, the comfortable bed throws you find will be custom designed by Sunbay Supplies LLC. Led by President Steven Sun, Sunbay Supplies has been servicing the hospitality industry for the past 10 years, with a client base that spans North America and Asia, providing products in guest room, bathroom, spa & pools and furniture.
“This is a great opportunity for Sunbay Supplies to be working with MGM National Harbor.” says Sun. “MGM is well known for the detail they put into each design, and that coincides with the work we do for all of our clients.”
Sunbay Supplies is a comprehensive company with capabilities in custom design and production, contract sourcing, licensed exporter/importer, and warehousing & distribution. “Service with a purpose” is an ideal of Mr. Sun and his company. An environmentally friendly company, Sunbay Supplies focuses their corporate social responsibility efforts on sustainability, from energy efficiency and raw materials consumption, to package recycling and reuse perspective.
How can you work with the MGM National Harbor team?
MGM National Harbor is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2016. If you are a certified MBE and your company has capabilities in Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) or Office Supplies and Equipment (OS&E), it is not too late for you to get involved. Please visit www.mgmnationalharbor.com and click on the corresponding tabs to find more information on pending bids for the project’s remaining development. There is still time to be a part of the amazing team of partners developing this world-class resort.