California University of Pennsylvania and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania are sponsoring the GACO 26th Annual Procurement Opportunities Fair to assist businesses interested in pursuing government contracts and subcontracts. The fair offers a chance to meet government agencies and prime contractors seeking to identify potential vendors and suppliers.

GACO 26th Annual Procurement Opportunities Fair Wednesday, October 23, 2013 (8:30 AM - 3:30 PM) Four Points by Sheraton, Pittsburgh North, PA

Read the brochure here and register here.

The SBA's Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)  offer assistance in outreach, assessment, long and short-term business training, counseling, directed referring, and online assistance to veterans, service disabled veterans, and Reserve business owners and entrepreneurs.

According to the FAQ of one of AGi's local VBOCs, the services provided include "assessing their entrepreneurial needs and requirements, developing business plans, entrepreneurial training and counseling to include accounting, marketing and other business functions."

Over at Veteran Journal, there's an interesting interview with Tom Leney, the Executive Director of Small and Veterans Business Programs with the Department of Veterans Affairs, regarding the upcoming National Veterans Small Business Conference.  We blogged upon the convention in a previous post.  Click through to read the whole interview, and bear this fact in mind when thinking about attending:

We did [a] survey with over 70 respondents from a conference we did in Detroit, and 25 percent of the survey respondents from the 2012 [National Veterans Small Business Conference] said they received a contract award based on someone they met there or information they received there. That’s a pretty significant return on investment.

The 10th Annual National Convention of Service Disabled Veteran and Small Businesses occurs this year in San Diego from August 21-23.  Their agenda is here and information on attending is here.

One breakout session in particular looks great: Teaming/Joint Venture – Key Rules & Practical Tips by Michelle Kantor, Esq., McDonald Hopkins, LLC.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in collaboration with other federal agencies and commercial partners, is excited to host the National Veterans Small Business Conference (NVSBC) from August 6-8 at the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, MO.

Conference activities include:

• Business Requirement Sessions: learn about procurement opportunities in 2014-2015 directly from federal program managers and contracting officers, as well as commercial customers
• Dining with Decision Makers: share a meal and informal discussion with potential customers and partners seeking to engage Veteran businesses at networking breakfast and lunch tables hosted by PDMs and Senior Leaders
• Networking Roundtables: discuss your capability to address federal and commercial requirements with PDMs
• 2-Day Expo of over 400 Exhibits: connect and learn more about business capabilities and federal requirements at government and industry booths in the Expo Hall
• Conference Receptions: meet informally with customers and build relationships essential to successful business development
• Training Sessions: specifically tailored for all stages of business growth

Learn more and register here.

Related articles

• National Veterans Small Business Conference August 6-8, 2013 St. Louis,MO (veteransnewsnow.com)
• VA Seeking Feedback on #VOSB (agimssinc.wordpress.com)
• VA mandates overtime to reduce unresolved claims (stripes.com)