A weekly look at Wyoming business questions from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (WSBDC), part of WyomingEntrepreneur.Biz, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming.
By Natasha Stahla, Wyoming Entrepreneur Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) procurement specialist
“The 2013 GRO-Biz Conference and Idea Expo conference is coming up. Will you provide me with more information and why I should attend?” Sally, Moorcroft
The annual GRO-Biz Conference and Idea Expo, sponsored by Sen. Mike Enzi, Gov. Matt Mead, the Small Business Administration and many others, is just around the corner. The conference is Feb. 19-21 in Cody. The opportunities are endless, and the connections you will make are invaluable.
The conference offers nonstop opportunities for business owners to connect with numerous government agencies. Find out firsthand what different agencies buy; what their forecasts are; how and where they put their work out for bid; how they pay; what their expectations are; and much more.
How can you prepare for these one-on-one opportunities? It’s helpful to come to the conference with business cards, examples of your product and a capabilities statement. The capabilities statement should list the products or services you offer, your DUNs number, CAGE Code and other necessary paperwork.
If you need assistance in preparing for the GRO-Biz Conference and Idea Expo, contact the Procurement Technical Assistance Center. The PTAC offers guidance in the preparation of a capabilities statement and any other registrations or preparations needed before attending the conference.
Different sessions also will be offered that cover a wide array of topics such as accounting requirements for federal contractors; the new system for award management; proposal preparation; small business role in federal acquisition; federal government Internet invoicing systems; and more.
One of the keynote speakers is Jason Kintzler from PitchEngine, who will close this year’s conference with the discussion “Finding Relevance in a Social Economy.”
To register for the conference or to view the agenda, visit www.regonline.com/2013grobizidea.
For more information or tips to prepare for the conference, contact Natasha Stahla at 1-866-253-3300 or email nstahla1@uwyo.edu.
A blog version of this article and an opportunity to post comments is available at http://www.wyomingentrepreneur.typepad.com/blog/.
The WSBDC is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Wyoming Business Council and the University of Wyoming. To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu or write 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3922, Laramie, WY, 82071-3922.
