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GTPAC-hosted event once again a big hit with small businesses, government agencies, and prime contractors

January 25, 2017 By Andrew Smith

Attendees got a chance to learn about the benefits of membership from NCMA representatives.
Attendees got a chance to learn about the benefits of membership from NCMA representatives.

The Jan. 24, 2017 Industry Day — sponsored by the Atlanta chapter of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) — was a big hit with the 325 people who attended.

The Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) hosted the event at the Georgia Tech Research Institute’s Conference Center in Atlanta.  GTPAC is one of many programs that make up Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute.

Vendors and government buyers got a chance to mingle and network at the Jan. 24 GTPAC-hosted event.
Vendors and government buyers mingled and networked at the Jan. 24 GTPAC-hosted event.

It is estimated that 250 small businesses participated in the day’s activities, which featured presentations on various federal, state and local government agencies’ contract opportunities to hundreds as well as individual appointments between hundreds of businesses, 49 buyers and 12 resource partners.

The buyers participating in the event included representatives of government agencies as well as prime contractors looking for subcontractors.

Sharon Morrow of the U.S. Army's Small Business Office answered questions from the audience about upcoming contract opportunities.
Sharon Morrow of the U.S. Army’s Small Business Office answered questions from the audience about upcoming contract opportunities.

The keynote address of the day was delivered by Sharon Morrow, Mentor-Protégé Program Manager and Small Business Liaison for SBIR/STTR at the Army’s Office of Small Business Programs.

Other featured speakers included NCMA Atlanta Chapter president Christina Edwards; GTPAC program manager Joe Beaulieu; Georgia State University executive-in-residence Cassius Butts; and NCMA Atlanta small business chair and CDC small business manager Gwendolyn Miles.

GTPAC's program manager acted as MC for the morning's activities.
GTPAC’s program manager Joe Beaulieu acted as MC for the morning’s activities in the packed auditorium at the Georgia Tech Research Institute’s conference center.

Business tips were provided during the morning’s general session by Stacey Larson of CBS, Terri Denison of the SBA, Eugene Tinker of Certified Technical Experts, Prudence Howard of the VA, and Erv Koehler of GSA.

Copies of presentations which were made at the event can be downloaded here: Industry Day 01.24.2017

Vendors learned about contracting with the Atlanta Housing Authority.
Vendors learned about contracting with the Atlanta Housing Authority.

Information about upcoming contracting opportunities was presented by Jeff Napier of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Angela Whitmore of the Atlanta Housing Authority, and Tony Ortiz of the FAA.

In a busy matchmaking room, vendors presented their capabilities to buyers from government and industry.
In a busy matchmaking room, vendors presented their capabilities to buyers representing both government and industry.

Three consecutive hours of “matchmaking”– appointments between buyers and sellers — were scheduled during the afternoon.

At the Dept. of Administrative Services' table, vendors learned about how to do business with the State of Georgia.
At the Dept. of Administrative Services’ table, vendors learned about how to do business with the State of Georgia.

Government representatives from the VA, GSA, Clayton County, HUD, FAA, the Georgia Department of Administrative Services, the Atlanta Housing Authority, and Georgia Tech’s MBDA Business Center staffed tables to meet with interested vendors.

Subcontracting opportunities were a hot topic at IBM's matchmaking table.
Supplier opportunities were a hot topic at IBM’s matchmaking table.

In addition, many corporate buyers participated, including representatives from Booz Allen Hamilton, CBS, DB Consulting, IBM, ICF International, Georgia Power, LMI, Leidos, Northrop Grumman, RTI International, and Wyle Services.

Participants got a chance to learn about the services offered by the MBDA Business Center at Georgia Tech.
Participants learned about the services offered by the MBDA Business Center at Georgia Tech.

Running concurrently with the matchmaking appointments was a presentation on how to do business in the government sector conducted by one of GTPAC’s counselors, Tom Larkin.  Dozens of people attended this workshop as a productive way to spend their time while waiting for their appointments.

Vendors received one-on-one help from GTPAC counselors like Steve Bettner (l) seen here.
Vendors received one-on-one help from GTPAC counselors like Steve Bettner seen here on the left.

Scores of the small businesses in attendance also took advantage of this occasion to receive contract-related counseling from the entire team of GTPAC counselors and staff who came in from all parts of the state to support the event.

Bridget Bennett and Donna Vandersall spoke to many attendees throughout the day about the services offered by GTPAC.
Bridget Bennett and Donna Vandersall spoke to many attendees throughout the day about the no-cost services offered by GTPAC.

GTPAC representatives provided help to businesses on such topics as registration in the System for Award Management, certifications, and creating effective capabilities statements.  GTPAC also helped out-of-state attendees connect with the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in their locale.

Seen on the left, technology partner Matt Gonzalez of IVSN explained the registration process to a participant.
Technology partner Matt Gonzalez of IVSN (seated, left) explained the matchmaking process to a participant.

Attendees at the Industry Day used a special web site and a smartphone app to register for and check-in at the event — and keep track of their matchmaking appointments.  The website and the app were developed by IVSN Group LLC.   The leadership of NCMA’s Atlanta Chapter contracted with IVSN to manage registration and appointment-making for the complex Jan. 24th event.  The app – called PTACGo! – can be downloaded free from Google Play (for Android devices) or Apple’s App Store (for iPhones).  It allows users to see, and register for, small business events across the country on smart phones, tablets, laptops and PCs.

Members of the Rocky Top event management team took a quick break from a long day that began at 7am and concluded at 4pm.
Members of the Rocky Top event management team took a quick break from a long day that began at 7am and concluded at 4pm.

Adding support to the day, a four-person team from Rocky Top Event Management Services provided on-site management.  Rocky Top provides management services to the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers.

Special thanks go out to CBS, Axiom Corporation, and Rumph and Associates for sponsoring the Industry Day’s breakfast refreshments.

Below are a few more photos from the active and successful day.

In both formal and informal settings, buyers and sellers had lots of opportunities to exchange ideas and information.
In both formal and informal settings, buyers and sellers had lots of opportunities to exchange ideas and information.
An attendees is seen here showing off a 3-D printing creating to interested buyers at CDC's matchmaking table.
An attendee is seen here showing off a 3-D printing creation to interested buyers at CDC’s matchmaking table.
Lockheed Martin representatives had a steady string of visitors during the matchmaking event.
LMI representatives had a steady string of visitors during the matchmaking event.
GSA's acting regional administrator Erv spoke about his agency's future buying needs.
GSA’s acting regional administrator Erv Koehler spoke about his agency’s future buying needs.
Georgia Power was one of many corporate entities who sent buyers to talk about contract opportunities.
Georgia Power was one of many corporate entities who sent buyers to talk about contract opportunities.
GTPAC clients had the opportunity to learn about subcontracting opportunities with Booz Allen Hamilton.
GTPAC clients had the opportunity to learn about subcontracting opportunities with Booz Allen Hamilton.
CDC's chief of contracting Jeff Napier explained his agency's mission and buying needs.
CDC’s chief of contracting Jeff Napier explained his agency’s mission and buying needs.
GTPAC staff Nancy Cleveland and Tom Larkin counseled numerous buinesses about government contracting topics throughout the day.
Nancy Cleveland and Tom Larkin were 2 of 9 members of the GTPAC team who counseled scores of business persons on government contracting topics throughout the day.

Filed Under: GTPAC News Tagged With: contracting opportunities, Georgia Tech, GTPAC, GTRI, industry day, matchmaking, NCMA, outreach, relationship building

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