The Defense Energy Support Center, a field activity of the Defense Logistics Agency, is hosting a no cost Small Business Networking and Training Conference Sept. 9 in the Rhode Island Metropolitan area at the Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel and Spa, One Goat Island, Newport, Rhode Island. The purpose of the conference is to enhance small business participation in federal acquisitions with companies capable of providing energy commodities and services. These commodities include petroleum refineries/terminals in the production of aviation fuels, aviation gasoline, Naval Fuel Distillate (F76), gasohol; producers of aerospace fuels to include liquid propellants, non-propellant cryogens and compressed gases; suppliers of electricity including wind, biomass and geothermal renewable energy, suppliers of coal; and managers of Government Owned Contractor Operated/Contractor Owned Contractor Operated storage terminals and Utility Privatization services. The conference will also engage large businesses interested in participating in the Department of Defense Mentor-Protégé program by becoming a mentor or providing subcontracting opportunities to small businesses. The all-day event will provide valuable information on how to do business with the federal government, the Small Business Program, DESC’s products/services contracting requirements and more. Scheduled guest speakers for the conference include representatives from the Small Business Administration Rhode Island District Office, Rhode Island Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the DLA Office of Small Business Programs. There will also be three training/breakout sessions in the afternoon from 2:00 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.; 2:45 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. These sessions provide an opportunity for vendors to meet with DESC representatives and guest speakers during a training, question and answer period. To register online, visit https://www.desc.dla.mil/apps/conferencereg/sbc2009ri. For more information about the DESC Small Business Networking and Training Conference, visit DESC's web site at http://www.desc.dla.mil. If you have any problems with registration or have questions about this conference, please contact DESC Small Business Specialist Ms. Virginia Broadnax at (703) 767-9400 or e-mail
[email protected]; DESC Small Business Specialist Ms. Jackie Craft at (703) 767-9681 or e-mail
[email protected]; or DESC Associate Director of Small Business Programs Ms. Lula Manley at (703) 767-9465 or e-mail
[email protected]. For those attendees who wish to stay at the Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel and Spa, DESC established a discounted group rate of $178 (USD) per night. In order to take advantage of this rate, lodging reservations must be scheduled no later than August 31. If making reservations via phone, please contact the Hotel Reservation Coordinator at 401-851-1234 or www.newport.hyatt.com.