Press Releases

U.S. Representative Don Beyer, who has over 40 years of experience running a small business, hosted a Small Business Procurement Conference this morning in collaboration with George Mason University’s Procurement Technical Assistance Program. The Conference focused on federal government procurement and providing guidance to small businesses hoping to work with the federal government.

 

"Among my top priorities in Congress is building a new American economy - doing all I can to make the 21st century the second American century," said Rep. Beyer. "Thanks to the incredible number of highly educated and skilled constituents, Northern Virginia has long been fertile ground for government contracting and grants awards, and the small businesses in the 8th ideal partners for the federal government."

 

Nearly 100 people attended the program, which included remarks from the Congressman, small business owners, and representatives from federal contractors doing business in Northern Virginia, an update on the state of the region's economy, as well as a panel discussion on best practices for small businesses hoping to work with federal contractors. 

 

"Congressman Beyer’s Small Business Procurement Conference is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to get immediate access to contracting agencies as well as to information that will impact their business today," said Tara Palacios of Arlington Economic Development. "The most successful business owners are the ones who can participate in events such as this. We look forward to working with Congressman Beyer in building successful businesses in Northern Virginia."

 
Beyer continued: "This month my family business will celebrate our 41st year in Northern Virginia. When you take into consideration the fact that more than half of all Americans either work for or own a small business, and small businesses create two out of three new jobs each year, it is easy to see why investing in our small businesses makes sense. I hope that this conference has given the participants if not all, then some of the tools they need to be successful."

Joining Rep. Beyer, Ms. Palacios, and Ms. Urman at George Mason's Arlington Campus were Roy Luebke from GenEdge, Dr. Terry Clower, Sean Crean from the Small Business Administration and representatives from the Procurement Technical Assistance Program at George Mason University’s Mason Enterprise Center and representatives from BAE Systems, NASA, Department of Defense, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Arlington Economic Development, Alexandria Small Business Development Center, National Science Foundation, GenEdge, Virginia Small Business Development Center, Community Business Partnership, and SAIC.