The Y-12 National Security Complex and The University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services Procurement Technical Assistance Center (UT CIS-PTAC) join with a host of East Tennessee agencies for the third annual East Tennessee Veterans’ Business Conference. The theme of this conference is Increasing Opportunities for Veteran-Owned Businesses.
The conference will be held at the New Hope Center, 602 Scarboro Road, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Tuesday, August 4, from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
The purpose of the Veterans’ Business Conference is to increase business opportunities for service-disabled veteran and veteran-owned small businesses. All small business owners are welcome to attend.
US Congressman Zach Wamp and the State of Tennessee Commissioner John Keys have agreed to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of the Conference.
Ms. Janis E. Kaiser, Deputy for Small Business, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Midwest (NAVFAC Midwest) of Great Lakes, Illinois will be the keynote speaker at the Conference. NAVFAC contracts with small businesses in the area of engineering, construction, and environmental services through the following business lines: Capital Improvements and Military Construction Projects, Public Works, Environmental, Base Development, Real Estate, and Contingency Engineering. During FY 08, NAVFAC, Midwest spent $8.68 Billion purchasing dollars with 35% going to small businesses and 2.16% of all purchases going to Service Disabled Veteran Small Businesses.
This year’s conference features two additional important sessions: “Doing Business with Homeland Security” with Kevin Boshears of Washington D.C. and “Doing Business with the Missile Defense Agency” with Lee Rosenburg of Huntsville, Alabama. The conference agenda also includes sessions that will provide important information on the basics of government contracting; how to get on the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule; and financing options for small businesses (Patriot Loan Program for Veterans).
At the conference, small business owners can attend a “Meet the Buyers” session of federal, state, local governments, and the Department of Energy (DOE) Prime Contractors. Buyers from Fort Campbell and the Veterans’ Administration will also be attending. Veteran owned businesses will have the opportunity to schedule "one on one" appointments to explore possible business opportunities.
There is no charge for the conference; however, due to limited space the deadline for registration is July 28. To register, call toll free at 1-888-763-7439 or register on-line and see agenda information at http://www.cis.tennessee.edu/training/ptac/veteran.shtml.
