IAC to inaugurate small-business conference

The Industry Advisory Council will hold its first Growing Business Conference on Jan. 23, 2007, at George Washington University’s Conference Center. IAC said the event is dedicated to promoting and improving small-business contracting in the government information technology marketplace.The conference will bring together 150 to 175 government and industry executives who want to promote small businesses’ participation in the government IT marketplace, IAC said in a statement today.“Small growing companies that are bidding for IT contracts need guidance and knowledge to better meet federal performance expectations and requirements,” said Maria Horton, president and chief executive officer of EmeSec, and conference chairwoman.Horton said IAC is launching the new conference initiative in response to those challenges and requests from small businesses.Conference participants will discuss issues that affect a small business’s ability to expand and support increasingly larger performance initiatives, according to the IAC announcement.Topics will include building government and business relationships, the challenges and possibilities of working with large subcontractors, the competitive landscape relevant to contractor size, and marketing and responding to requests for proposals.