The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a time and place for its annual National Veterans Small Business Conference. If you’re a veteran small business owner, this may be the one event to check out this year!
The National Veterans Small Business Conference will take place from August 6th through August 8th at America’s Convention Center in St. Louis. In those three days, veteran small business owners will network with potential teaming partners, as well as rub elbows with the 300 VA procurement officials present. These officials are not only required to attend the conference, but they are mandated to conduct a follow-up meeting with at least three veteran business owners.
I attended a VetForce meeting in Washington, D.C. last week, where Tom Leney (the executive director of the Center for Veterans Enterprise) provided valuable information not included on the conference’s website. He noted that 86% of conference attendees are there to meet customers. This makes sense, as the procurement officials attending the conference have requirements that need to be met. This is an opportunity to use your elevator pitch, make connections, and make sure procurement officials know who you are and what you business has to offer.
Another reason small business owners attend is to connect with potential prime contractors, as many large businesses are sponsoring booths. Some of these companies may even be interested in teaming with small businesses on commercial opportunities. (Mr. Leney mentioned that AT&T is one such company).
Registration for the conference has not yet opened, but you can sign up to receive updates on registration at http://www.nationalveteransconference.com. As of today’s date, the only information available is the pricing list for booths, tables, and admission tickets, but Mr. Leney relayed that the list of attending procurement officials is forthcoming.
As a last note, this isn’t just a networking opportunity. It’s also a chance to check out St. Louis! As a native, I can tell you it’s the best Midwestern city there is. Here are my top reasons for why this is true:
- St. Louis City Museum – With slides, stories-high slinkys for the kids to climb through, an antique carnival, caverns, and trees to explore, this is no ordinary museum. On Washington Street, a prime spot for St. Louis nightlife.
- Forest Park – The seventh-largest urban park in the country, featuring hiking trails, a zoo, golfing, tennis courts, outdoor free plays, museums, and dining by the water
- Union Station – An old railroad station that now has shops, restaurants, and a paddle boat area.
- Lotawata Creek – The best restaurant in the entire world. Salads, steaks, and savory burgers topped with cheeses, pickles, and onions…and all of the portions are the size of your head. As an appetizer, they serve a sweet bread with honey butter you will want to stow away on the airplane ride home. Lotawata is located in O’Fallon, Illinois, but that’s a quick drive across the river.
- Missouri Botanical Gardens – Acres and acres of beautiful flowers, fountains, a Japanese tea garden, and greenhouses. This gem features jazz in the summertime (Bring your own food and wine!).
- Crown Candy Kitchen – An old fashioned malt and shake shoppe, this restaurant makes you feel like you are stepping back in time. The melts are amazing, and you can also buy candy. The one disadvantage is this was recently featured on the Travel Channel, and I hear the line’s been out the door. Good for them, bad for hungry patrons…
Hope to see you there!
