Date: 1/18/2024 - 1/19/2024
Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EST)
Registration Deadline: 1/15/2024 5:00 PM (EST)
Program Format: Matchmaker Event
Training Topics: Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Readiness, Government Contracting, Government Industrial Base (GIB) Readiness, HUBZones, Intermediate Level, Introductory Level, Market Research and Business Development, Marketing/Sales, Orientation, Basic Training, Introductory Topics, Set Aside Certifications and Designations, Small Business Liaison Offices (SBLO) Training, Small Disadvantaged Business Program - 8(a), Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Subcontracting, Veteran Owned Small Business Certifications, Veterans Outreach Conf., Woman-owned Businesses
Description:
Note: Conference and Matchmaker is in-person ONLY - Over a two day span we will have speakers and panels, a vendor exhibit hall, networking, and matchmaking between Vendors, Prime Contractors, and Government Agency representatives.
Instructions:
Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to present your capabilities to interested buyers and small business office representatives at agencies and large prime contractors.
Draft Agenda*
Day 1 (7:00 AM-7:30 PM)
Registration & Breakfast
Welcome Remarks, Ms Stacey Cooper, Deputy of Small Business Programs, Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center
CNRMC Navy Welcome
Overview of Mid-Atlantaic Regional Maintenance Center, Capt. Jay Young
Break
Department of Navy, Office of Small Business Programs, Ms. Arveice Washington
How to be a Small Business Subcontractor with Booz Allen Hamilton - Mr. Alex Agyemang
Exhibit Hall Opens ~11AM
Networking Lunch
How to be a Small Business Subcontractor with Colonnas, Mr. Kevin Sweeny & Mr. James Boomer
Panel: What is The Department of Navy Buying?
Anne Bannister, Director NAVSEA OSBP
Leah Baker, Director MSC OSBP
Bianca Henderson, Director NAVFAC OSBP
Chris Espenshade, Director NAVSUP OSBP
Break
Facility Plant Clerances - Ms. Kass Flint, DSCA Field Office
SeaPort NXG - Ms. Stacy McQuage
Matchmaking ~3PM-5PM (limit 3 participants per small business company)
Networking Reception
Day 2 (7:00 AM- 3:00 PM)
Registration & Welcome
Breaking Into GovCon from the DCAA Perspective - Ms. Lashia Cooper
How to be a Teaming Partner - Mr. Timothy Goodrich, President, Timitron Corporation
Project Spectrum (tentative)
Break
Exhibit Hall Opens ~10AM
Mentor Protégé Program, Ms. Mercedes Thurston (invited)
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority - Mr. Terrance Rogers
Matchmaking ~11AM-1PM (limit 3 participants per small business company)
MMC Consulting - Mr. Richard Hanks & Ms. Jennifer Hanks
Tidewater Area of Service Contractors
Exhibit Hall Closes ~2PM
*Agenda is tentative and subject to change
Vendor Exhibitors & Sponsors:
Booz Allen Hamilton
Flyer Defense
City of Hampton Economic Development
Small Business Company names will be listed here after initial review and confirmation - a link to the exhibitor information spreadsheet will be added soon
Limited Government and Large Prime Exhibitors:
Naval Facilities Command Office of Small Business Programs (NAVFAC OSBP)
Department of Navy Office of Small Business Programs (DON OSBP)
Naval Supply Office of Small Business Programs (NAVSUP OSBP)
Naval Sea System Command Office of Small Business Programs (NAVSEA OSBP)
Military Sealift Command Office of Small Business Programs (MSC OSBP)
BAE Systems (541330, 541512, 541513, 541519, 541611, 541618, 928110)
Confirmed Hosts Participating in the afternoon matchmaking**
Carderock
Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC), NAVSEA (336611 (& others in the 33 series) and 541330 (& others in the 54 series))
NAVSEA Small Business Program (541330, 336611, 334511, 541519, 541715)
Naval Air Systems Command - HQ, Office of Small Business Programs
Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington Small Business
**This list will continue to be updated as we take new registrations
Common mistakes during registration:
signing up under the wrong ticket type (are you an attendee or host?)
attendee = seeking subcontracts and/or prime contracts with an agency
host = seeking vendors to work as a subcontractor (if prime or large business integrator) or as a prime contractor (if government)
not following the instructions in your email confirmation
Common matchmaking mistakes:
asking questions 2 days before the event (if you are confused, clarify NOW)
not doing your market research to see which match is the best fit
Steps to prepare for matchmaking:
do your market research (a link to a spreadsheet of host information & websites will be provided soon)
watch for regular email communication from etorren2@gmu.edu and email apex@gmu.edu
Review a recording of Prep for the Matchmaker here: https://virginiaptac.ecenterdirect.com/events/3933 with Statewide Director Lisa Wood.
*What to expect for matchmaking*
START TIME: Small business participants should line up at the alloted time to gain entry to the matchmaking hall (location/time will be marked on your agenda). Limit 3 participants per small business company.
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED: There will be no advanced reservations or appointments for the matchmaking sessions and registrants must be pre-approved to get in line to participate. Each session will be first come, first served.
LENGTH OF SESSIONS: Each session will be ten minutes in duration. At the 9 minute mark, you will hear a bell which will indicate the end of the session is approaching. Regardless of where you are in your conversation, you need to bring it to a close and return to the main line outside of the matchmaking area to allow an orderly traffic flow.
PROCESS: A limited number of small business participants will be allowed to enter the matchmaking hall at one time. Those entering should stand near their interested company/agency host (look for blue tape on the floor) so that they can be seated as soon as the matchmaking begins. We will allow a line to form at each table but no more than 1 person should be in that table-specific line. If no line is present at a host table, the existing meeting may continue until the next bell. Attendees are strongly encouraged to network with their peers between meetings with primes and agencies while in line.
UPON ARRIVAL: A map of the space and key of the host/exhibit tables will be provided with the agenda when you collect your badge at check-in. We encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with the space prior to the matchmaking and check out the host table (in case the host brings marketing materials) as well as visit with the vendor and sponsor tables on the first day.
All attendees:
By registering for this event, you consent to having your name, company/organization name, and website address shared with the other attendees after the event for the purpose facilitating additional networking. By agreeing to participate in matchmaking, you agree to share your contact information with the hosts.
If you have questions or concerns, please email apex@gmu.edu to discuss with the host of this training or do not register for this event.
Guest Wi-Fi: TBD
Location: Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, Virginia 23666
Parking Information: https://thehrcc.com/attend-an-event/parking-directions/
Accomodations: https://thehrcc.com/attend-an-event/accommodations/ - some nearby hotels include the Embassy Suites, Hyatt Place, Courtyard, Hilton Garden Inn, Springhill Suites, Holiday Inn Express, and Element.