4th Annual Veterans' conference slated for Sept. 17-18 Published Sept. 3, 2008 By from the New Mexico Dept. of Veterans' Service ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services, the New Mexico District of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the New Mexico Small Business Development Center Network are cosponsoring the 4th Annual Service Disabled and Veteran Owned Small Business Conference here, Sept. 17-18. There are 41 organizations devoted to small business development participating, including small business resource partners and organizations dedicated to veteran-owned businesses development. An added feature to this event is the 2008 New Mexico Minority Enterprise Development Week Awards Celebration that will be held in conjunction with the veterans' conference luncheon scheduled for Sept. 17. Ten outstanding minority and veteran-owned businesses will be honored. The two-day conference will be held at the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town located at 800 Rio Grande Blvd. NW in Albuquerque. The registration fee is $50 per person. Individuals wanting to register can visit the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services Web site at http://www.dvs.state.nm.us/vetpro.html, or visit the New Mexico SBA Web site at http://www.sba.gov/nm to download a copy of the registration flyer or call Kim Leibman at the New Mexico Small Business Development Center at (505) 428-1362 or 1-800-281-7232. All small business owners, including Service Disabled Veteran, Veteran, Minority, Women, Small Disadvantaged Businesses and HUBZone-owned businesses, are encouraged to attend this conference to learn about opportunities and resources are available to them to effectively go after and secure federal contracts. "We want to de-mystify the process for these service-disabled business owners. Federal contractors are anxious to do business with them. So we want to help New Mexico's service-disabled business owners any way we can to land these contracts," said Cabinet Secretary John Garcia, of the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services. "This is an opportunity for veterans in business to attend workshops and panels, meet with buyers & contracting officers from federal agencies and large prime contractors and learn of contracting and subcontracting opportunities. It is an opportunity to learn how to take their business to the next level." said John Woosley, district director of the New Mexico Small Business Administration. The SBA will be providing information on its loan programs with emphasis on the SBA Patriot Express Loan Initiative for veterans and their family members, as well as SBA's assistance to small businesses desiring to contract with federal government agencies. "While the conference represents a learning opportunity, it's also a hands-on business opportunity" said Roy Miller, director of the New Mexico Small Business Development Center Network. "Business owners will have the opportunity to introduce their products and services to Buyers in the Matchmaking Marketplace. The NMSBDC is committed to providing guidance and assistance to small the small business owner on their path to building their economic success," said Miller. The first day of the conference, Sept. 17, is educational, with a series of seminars and presentations on how to manage their businesses, especially with a focus on meeting the needs of the federal agencies. Some of the workshop topics include: Introduction to the Proposal Process/Preparing to Bid; Veteran's Business, Benefits and Services Workshop; Veteran's Administration's & Small Business Administration's Certification Requirements & Teaming Arrangements; Small Business Innovation & Research Program; The New Mexico Procurement Code & Doing Business With the State and Local Governments; Access to Capital/Financial Requirements; Proposing To Win; and Business Opportunities. There will also be a panel of success stories highlighting the accomplishments of service disabled veteran owned businesses. On Sept. 18, there will be an opportunity at the Matchmaking Marketplace for direct, face-to-face meetings between veteran business owners and federal agency and prime contractor buyers and representatives. This session introduces veteran business owners to federal/prime buyers in the hope that contracting opportunities will arise on the spot or set the stage for future opportunities. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information and to download the registration form, visit the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services Web site at http://www.dvs.state.nm.us/vetpro.html or the New Mexico SBA Web site at http://www.sba.gov/nm or call Kim Leibman at the New Mexico Small Business Development Center at (505)-428-1362 or 1-800-281-7232.