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 second 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 5, 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.
Other co-sponsors and partners of the conference include Bechtel Jacobs Company, City of Knoxville, City of Oak Ridge, East Tennessee Military Affairs Council, Knox County Government, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Knoxville Utilities Board, the National Nuclear Security Administration, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Roane State Community College, Small Business Administration, Tennessee Small Business Development Center, Tennessee Economic and Community Development Business Enterprise Resource Office, Tennessee Valley Authority, United States Army Corps of Engineers, United States Department of Energy, and Wackenhut Services Oak Ridge Team.
Mr. Scott Golden, CEO, Veterans Construction Inc., a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business of Knoxville Tennessee will be the keynote speaker at the Conference. Veteran Construction, Inc was founded 2003 and has experience with such agencies as US Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Energy (DOE), and the Veteran's Administration.
This year's featured session is "Doing Business with NASA." 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.
Other sessions will describe franchise options for small businesses; technology transfer and emerging business opportunities; and business planning for small businesses.
State of Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, Commissioner John Keys, is the Honorary Chair of the Conference.
There is no charge for the conference, but seating is limited. Deadline for registration is July 29. To register, call toll free at 888-763-7439 or register on-line and see agenda information at:
http://www.cis.tennessee.edu/training/ptac/veteran.shtml
The location of the event is: New Hope Center 602 Scarboro Road Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830