Please find below the VETS'19 schedule of events. All activities will take place at the Marriott Rivercenter in Downtown San Antonio, Texas.
| Tuesday, May 28 | |||
| 9:00am | – | 12:00pm | NVSBC Board Meeting |
| 12:00pm | – | 5:00pm | Registration Opens |
| 12:00pm | – | 5:00pm | Exhibitor Move In |
| 2:00pm | – | 4:00pm | NVSBC Annual Members Meeting |
| 5:00pm | – | 8:00pm | NVSBC Reception (By Invitation) |
| Wednesday, May 29 | |||
| 7:00am | – | 5:00pm | Registration Opens |
| 8:00am | – | 9:00am | Continental Breakfast |
| 9:00am | – | 9:30am |
Opening Ceremonies and Welcome Remarks Master of Ceremony Posting of Colors National Anthem Welcome Remarks - Mayor of San Antonio/Governor of Texas (Invited) |
| 9:30am | – | 10:15am | Keynote Speaker: Stewart Hill, Lieutenant Colonel, British Army (Retired) |
| 10:15am | – | 10:30am | Break |
| 10:30am | – | 11:15am |
General Session: Section 809 Discussion |
| 11:15am | – | 12:15pm |
Breakout Sessions: Speakers: William Thomas Description: This session guides prospective firms (or currently verified firms) through the verification process as it exists today in light of numerous recent changes. All major eligibility issues will be addressed as our seasoned professionals guide applicants through a "test" application, jumping over technical and eligibility hurtles to reach the finish line of verification. The effect of recent rule changes will also be discussed, as well as the logistics to submitting a Change Request. Spend some time in this session to avoid wasting hours spinning your wheels later! Sarah Schauerte Reida's 2019 Handbook on the VetBiz process will also be made available.
Cynthia Miracle Description: And now for something completely different! Join us for this special, fast-paced, encore of Federal Business JeoPARODY – Veterans Edition. You’ll pick the questions! Our two featured contestants will share in full candor their answers to your questions on key facets of what it takes to grow federal business. Ask seasoned business owners about the inside story on Opportunity Pursuit, Business Development, Teaming, Proposals, Post-Award, and Back-End Operations. You’ll dive deeply into intimate (and sometimes very personal) business experiences of two CEO’s and their decades of extraordinary federal contracting experience.
Speaker: Description: Who has unlimited amount of bid and proposal funds? No one and this include the large government contractors. Terms such as a pipeline, blue team, black hat and other qualifying gate reviews are often spoken, but rarely executed or given the proper time and respect they deserve. If you find excuses for not qualify your pipeline or forgoing an opportunity review, then stop immediate! You must begin to lay the foundation to adopt better business development processes and decision-making activities within your organizations. These decision gates are business development milestones where the BD team and key executives can decide whether to continue or initiate capture, or no bid and end the pursuit. Stop spending good money over bad on bid and proposal efforts that won’t result in a contract win.
Speakers: Megan Connor Description: During the past 12 months, several legislative and regulatory measures have been proposed or passed that could impact the ways that SDVOSBs can do business while remaining compliant. For instance, new SDVOSB rules limit where the service-disabled veteran may reside and the hours when the SDV should work. There have been changes in the way the SBA calculates whether a business is small, and proposals are pending to increase the use of sole source contracts and contractor teaming agreements. This session will address the recent changes and proposals and provide tips on best practices. |
| 12:15pm | – | 2:15pm |
Champion Award Luncheon sponsored by
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| 2:30pm | – | 4:30pm | Matchmaking by GovMates |
| 2:30pm | – | 5:00pm | Exhibit Hall Open |
| 5:00pm | – | 7:00pm | Networking Reception in Exhibit Hall |
| Thursday, May 30 | |||
| 7:30am | – | 5:00pm | Registration Open |
| 7:30am | – | 8:30am | Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall |
| 8:30am | – | 9:30am |
General Session: Small Business Director’s Town Hall Moderator: Mauricio Vera Gregory J. Thevenin. Donna Ragucci Lee Rosenberg Karen Mumford Christy Jackiewicz Anthony Bell |
| 8:30am | – | 4:30pm |
U.S. Air Force Cyber Security Training Workshop The primary purpose of our one-day 8-hour workshop is to ensure that small businesses are aware of the cybersecurity requirements mandated under Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS) Subpart 204.73. We will focus on understanding the risks associated with safeguarding controlled unclassified DoD information. The workshop will focus on the groups of controls from NIST SP 800-171, with examples highlighting what happens when these controls are not implemented. By the end of the workshop, you will become familiar with all 110 controls and be able to better identify the areas where you may need greater focus to meet the DoD’s cybersecurity expectations NOTE: Registration to VETS'19 is not required but attendees will not be able to access conference activities. VETS'19 attendees are welcome to attend. Check in at the registration desk for your workshop badge. |
| 9:30am | – | 12:00pm | Exhibit Hall Open |
| 9:30am | – | 10:30am | Breakout Sessions: Session 5: Why Corporations Demanded a New Certification Speaker: Description: Learn why Private industry demanded a certification program that meets their standards; similar to NMSDC and WBENC. Self-certification is obsolete and the BDR has made it clear that certification of SD/VOBs must meet their “best practice” corporate standards. To fully understand what this means to our veteran business owners; they must now accept their responsibility to adopt and embrace the corporate certification standards. There is no such thing as: set asides, sole source, entitlement or any reason to hire you except that you bring a good value to the corporation, being a SD/VOB might help you but it is never the reason for you to get the contract. Session 6: How To Effectively Take Advantage of Your Speaker: Description: One of the more educational, fast-paced, high-energy and thought-provoking seminars you will attend at this year’s conference. Guaranteed. Does this sound familiar? “Hi, we’re a VOSB or SDVOSB that provides. . .” Small business offices, your mentors, your colleagues, and small business counselors all tell you to, “Put it front and center! There are federally mandated set-asides for your company! Large companies require sub-contracting plans for companies just like yours!” We’ve all purchased the same business books, attended the same seminars, attended conference training seminars, and your mentors have all given the same advice - “Use your status!” You need to think like a business that provides value rather than a company with a socio-economic status. You will be taught real-world techniques, strategies, and examples on how to “softly” communicate your status, differentiate from the competition, and facilitate a perception of corporate maturity. You will learn methods to communicating quantifiable and qualifiable metrics that focus on the value of your solutions. You will also receive a step-by-step process on introducing yourself and your company at conferences (like VETS’19), with partners and with government decision makers, what to do during government meetings and how and when to properly communicate your socio-economic status. Added takeaway: Attendees will receive various business templates outlined in the seminar. This seminar provides award- winning techniques and strategies that have directly helped small businesses win more than $2 Billion in government contracts.
Speaker: Session 8: Growing and Maintaining SDVOSB Status Through Kathryn Hickey
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| 10:30am | – | 10:45am | Break |
| 10:45am | – | 11:45am |
Breakout Sessions: Session 9: How To Get In Front of Your Federal Buyer So What you will learn:
Linda Dozier Grant Bennett Description: Every business faces financial challenges at one time or another, may it be financing the new government contract, meeting weekly payrolls, managing the growth of the business, managing the upfront costs required, purchasing equipment or office building. Please join us for a frank conversation on what types of financing are available for your firm. We will be discussing the various options since every firm has their own special requirements. In addition we will discuss ways to finance global opportunities. Don’t say no to a contract because you do not have the funds, there are many different options available. Come and learn about them. There will be time after the session to meet one on one to discuss your firm’s special needs.
Speaker: Description: This session will provide an overview of the various options for verification as well as certification for veteran-owned businesses. It will also explore what vetrepreneurs should consider regarding either option based on their current or prospective customer bases. This is a beginner to medium-level session geared toward business owners who are exploring selling to the federal government or large corporations and are concerned with the costs and benefits of certifications. |
| 11:45am | – | 1:30pm |
Veteran Owned Business Pitch Competition Luncheon sponsored by |
| 1:30pm | – | 5:00pm | Exhibitor Breakdown |
| 1:45pm | – | 2:45pm |
Breakout Sessions Session 13: Strategies to Grow your Small Business Description: This interactive and fast paced workshop will walk you through the basic fundamentals of successful businesses and end with strategies to catapult your business into the stratosphere. We will discuss everything from marketing and networking, to using your certifications effectively finally ending with teaming agreements and joint ventures. All of this will be evaluated and presented through the eyes of government contracting. We always struggle to complete the material because of the power it contains to change your business. Each business will have an opportunity to talk to the speaker individually about strategies to grow their business. Speakers: TBA
Brian K. Hall Description: Opportunities for Veteran’s Business Enterprises in the private sector have never been better. That’s right, more than 435 FORTUNE 1000 companies include veterans as preferred vendors in their supplier diversity programs. Meet with managers from NaVOBA’s large Corporate Allies to learn how to do business with Corporate America. This is a medium to advanced-level session geared toward business owners who are serious about private sector contracting with large corporations.
Description: This session will inform of the flow-down requirements for Federal Prime and Subcontractors, to improve compliance and risks associated with non-compliance. Small businesses are not exempt from flowdown requirements. |
| 2:45pm | – | 3:00pm | Break |
| Breakout Sessions
Session 17: Set the Table for Success and Growth: Growth Session 18: Moving Forward with Federal Supply Schedule Speakers:
Speaker: Description: A look at federal contracts, how teams are formed, why post-award BD is many times futile for small businesses. Sharing lessons learned as one of the most successful SDVOSB companies ($1 Billion in cumulative revenue) that transitioned from purely commercial to fed/commercial mix. The emphasis is on the SDVOSB in a subcontracting role. “So you won a $100 Million contract, and there’s nothing in it that I can do??” |
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| 4:00pm | – | 4:15pm | Break |
| 4:15pm | – |
5:15pm |
Breakout Sessions Session 21: GSAs Single Schedule Revolution – What You Need to Description: In 2018, GSA announced it will modernize federal acquisition by consolidating the agency’s 24 Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) into one single schedule for products and services. The MAS transformation of a $31B program, is currently underway, and is part of GSA’s strategy to make the Schedule buying and selling experience more efficient and user-friendly. While intending to simplify the contracting and purchasing process by providing a single point-of-entry for Government buyers, nonetheless, this Schedule consolidation will present new challenges and significantly impact the small business community and how the 4000+ VOSB/SDVOSB GSA Schedule holders will administer their contracts, report sales, ensure compliance and interact with GSAs contracting staff.
The session will feature a Veteran who has recently sold his GovCon business and an M&A Advisor who specializes in the VOSB/SDVOSB space.
Speaker: Description: This session covers delays in government contracting, including both contractor-caused and government-caused (or both), and what this can mean for a contractor both in terms of liability and recovery. Our professionals will highlight the FAR clauses every contractor should know, different types of delays, and best practices to protect yourself while maintaining a solid working relationship with a government client.
Description: Mention strategic planning and many people think ‘offsite retreat.’ While a day or two away from the office is a good time to focus on your strategic plan, the plan itself is a valuable guide year-round – one that encompasses every action, initiative and dollar spent. Edward Tuorinsky, Managing Principal of DTS, will share his perspectives and experience on how organizations wanting to be viable, fiscally healthy and results-oriented should take the time to create and maintain a strategic plan. Learn more about the key elements in a plan, some tips for DIY efforts, when to call in professional help, and more in this session. |
| Friday, May 31 | |||
| 7:30am | – | 12:00pm | Registration Open |
| 7:30am | – | 8:15am | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:30am | – | 10:00am | NVSBC Working Groups - Construction - Medical Products - VETS 2 GWAC |
| 8:30am | – | 10:00am | Chapter Presidents Meeting |
| 10:00am | – | 10:15am | Break |
| 10:15am | – | 11:45am |
NVSBC Working Groups |
| 10:15am | – | 11:45am | South Texas Chapter Formation |
