20th Edition of Skelton Procurement Conference Attracts Small Businesses to Warrensburg

WARRENSBURG, MO (June 9, 2008) — More than 285 registrants and 71 exhibitors participated in the annual Rep. Ike Skelton Procurement Conference May 30, at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, according to Morris Hudson, director of the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. The meeting marked the 20th edition of the conference, hosted by Skelton (D-Mo., 4th District), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

Director of MO PTAC Morris Hudson (right) greets conference keynote speaker Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter (center) and conference host Rep. Ike Skelton.

"This event (is) a tradition aimed at enhancing economic development by improving access to information for Missouri's small businesses," said Skelton.

Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter, keynote speaker at the conference, praised the small business entrepreneurs who provide vital products and services to the many branches of the U.S. military and to other departments and agencies of the federal government. Also featured on the program was Rear Adm. Sean Crean, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy (research, development and acquisition), who discussed specific issues related to government procurement.

Among the 16 formal presentations at the day-long conference were sessions covering: selling to the government, the Small Business Transportation Resource Center, identifying business opportunities for veterans and service-disabled veterans, and funding business technology research through the SBIR program and angel networks.

Presenters and facilitators included MO PTAC counselors Rich Fyke, Joe Frank, Donna Leonard, Mary Love, Bill Stuby and Jana Weitkemper, and MO PTAC administrative assistant Elaine Palangpour. Other conference participants included members of the Heartland PTAC, the MO SBDC, and the Warrensburg SBTDC staff directed by Wes Savage.

This story was featured in the June 2008 newsletter