Over 600 small business leaders gathered at Rosen Shingle Creek on Monday for the Small Business Defense Procurement Summit. This Department of Defense event, hosted in partnership with the City of Orlando and the Office of U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, was designed to help small businesses learn how to do engage with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal contracting agencies.
The Federal government procures over $530 billion in goods and services on an annual basis. This event, which was only the second held nationwide, stemmed from a White House initiative directing federal agencies, such as the Department of Defense, to communicate contract procurement opportunities to small businesspeople throughout the U.S. In addition to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Senator Bill Nelson, other speakers included: Cecilia Muñoz, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of White House Intergovernmental Affairs; and Dr. Ashton B. Carter, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics.
The afternoon agenda featured business matchmaking sessions between small businesses and major government contractors and officials.
