Tom Gisler, CEO of The FTC; Eugene L. Tattini, Deputy Director, JPL; and Ted Glum, Director of Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) |
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GovLink Conference 2009 a Resounding Success
October 21, 2009
Our GovLink Conference 2009 broke all of The Federal Technology Center’s previous conference records by attracting more than 400 registrants and 51 exhibitors representing federal, state, and local government, large primes, and small businesses. The focus of this year’s conference, held at the Radisson Sacramento on October 20-21, 2009, was to link small businesses to government opportunities.
Featured speakers included Ted Glum, Director of Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA), who presented information about DMEA’s unique mission ensuring microelectronics system obsolescence does not negatively affect our national security. DMEA is a federal laboratory designated as a critical national asset by the Secretary of Defense. Eugene Tattini, Deputy Director, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, gave an insightful presentation concerning past and future expeditions to Mars and other space exploration initiatives. Cynthia Gonsalves, Director, Office of Technology Transition, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, provided excellent insight concerning many Department of Defense programs that help push technology from government to industry and vice versa. Luncheon speaker, Dan F. Sturdivant III, Assistant to the Director for Outreach Programs, Department of Homeland Security, described the programs in Homeland Security that increase opportunities for small businesses.
Representatives from the local congressional districts also provided welcoming comments. Nathan Dietrich, District Director for Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui, California, 5th District, and Marilyn Erbes, Administrative Director for Congressman Dan Lungren, California, 3rd District, kicked off the morning and afternoon sessions respectively.
Government purchasing panelists also provided valuable information about current contracting processes, procedures, and opportunities with their respective organizations.
Participants said they gained the following by attending GovLink Conference 2009:
• “Lots and lots of networking contacts and precise information regarding ways I can increase and build my small business”
• “Better understanding of where and how to look for government opportunities”
• “Better direction on how to effectively market to federal agencies aside from just
proposal submission”
• “Networking with other businesses; opportunity to meet procurement people at key agencies”
• “Much better understanding of doing business with the Federal Government”
• “Bigger perspective of a wider range of opportunities” |
