FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) today released the workshop topics for its 5th Annual Small Business Conference (SBC) taking place April 7, 2011, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Washington, D.C., J.W. Marriott Hotel. SBC provides educational information, tools, and best practices to help small businesses grow and succeed; maximize relationships with larger companies; and gain insightful contracting advice from government agencies.
The workshops enable attendees to ask questions and share information about the challenges and opportunities of being a small business in the government marketplace. Organizers have incorporated two sessions new to this year’s conference: one for those interested in doing business with the intelligence, Department of Defense and military communities and another for those looking for funding to support their growth.
The conference also includes a number of tabletop exhibits by government agencies, large companies seeking small business partners and vendors providing products and services to the small business community.
“Small businesses are important to America’s lifeline. As the Drivers, Leaders and Key Players, small businesses lead the way with innovation, hire some of the most ambitious, talented people and play a key role in building opportunities and moving economic recovery forward,” said Onelia Codrington, SBC Industry Chair. “They come to SBC to gain a better understanding of what government agencies are looking for and the type of opportunities that exist.”
Approximately 350 government and industry leaders and decision-makers will participate in six content-rich, interactive workshops:
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RFP in Hand, What Now? – Preparing, Responding, Differentiating and
Being Compliant
This panel will feature the perspective from experienced government evaluators from several key government organizations and from firms who are successfully bidding and winning federal opportunities.
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The Acquisition Process – From How to Increase Win Probability to
Addressing COI
Led by government and seasoned professionals, small businesses will learn how to influence whether a solicitation is released as a set-aside, identify concrete methods to ensure your proposal is evaluated highly, and use the debrief process to benefit your organization.
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Rising
Tides for Small Business: Success Stories
This workshop will provide examples of how several small businesses utilized creative technology or methodologies to build their business and/or to successfully bid and win important and relevant work for their firm. It will explore how leaders of successful small firms view the coming year and how to best approach the volatile government market.
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IDIQS and GWACS – What is The Best Direction for Your Business?
If you want to grow your business, this is the workshop that can provide the processes, bidding approach, and team building and steps to successfully move a small firm to a new level of business. Find out all the key elements in bidding and winning IDIQs and GWACs and then what do next.
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Funding Your Growth – America is Counting on You, Are You Prepared
to Perform?
Today’s economic environment brings opportunity, as well as uncertainty, to businesses that are serving the needs of the government. Working with the right lender that is both financially stable and has a detailed understanding of your opportunities will offer unique advantages to grow your organization.
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Get into the Game – DOD, Military and Intelligence Agencies
Contracting
Learn the process of doing business with federal intelligence, DOD and military agencies and the most often used procurement vehicles as well as what procurement procedures and opportunities exist with these agencies. Learn of other details for building profitable relationships.
Commenting on what makes small businesses vital to helping government agencies, SBC Government Chair, Beth Owen, said, “Listening, asking questions, interacting; these are the things that make small business the drivers of innovation and what makes them key players in advancing government’s mission to provide affordable, effective solutions to America’s citizens.”
The Small Business Conference is also an opportunity to learn more about the unique role played by ACT-IAC in the government community and how participation in ACT-IAC can provide education and relationships that are vital to success.
Registration is open, but attendance is limited. Sponsorship and exhibit space are still available.
A complete schedule and registration information can be found at: http://www.actgov.org/events/SmallBusiness.
For further information on the conference, contact Amber Bullock at abullock@actgov.org or (703) 208-4800 x209
About ACT-IAC – Advancing Government Through Education, Collaboration and Action
ACT-IAC has been recognized as the premier government IT community’s public-private partnership and is an example of how government and industry work together. We are a non-profit educational organization created to advance government in serving the public through the effective application of IT resources. Our education, training, programming and collaboration opportunities enhance and advance the government IT profession. ACT-IAC’s objective, vendor and technology-neutral, and ethical forum allows government and industry to collaborate and improve government through technology.
Learn more about our organization and how to become a member at www.actgov.org or call (703) 208-4800