Small business owners, contractors, and non-profits are invited to participate in the Third Annual Connecting Businesses with Contracts Procurement Conference, Tuesday, February 13, at the Southern University Smith Brown Memorial Student Union.

The event is free, but registration is preferred.

Conference planner Eual Hall said attendees will receive information on sources of assistance, the process of registration and obtaining licensing, methods of financing, and securing contracts. Representatives from the United States Small Business Administration will be available to discuss SBA programs, guarantees, certification process, bonds and surety, GO Loans, and disaster loans.

"Should individuals want to become licensed or if an existing contractor needs to increase their knowledge, the Louisiana State Contractor Licensing Department will be available," said Hall, business development specialist at the Southern University Center for Small and Rural Business.

The conference is hosted by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Center for Rural and Small Business Development, Louisiana Small Business Development Centers in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, U. S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and the Southern University College of Business.

Exhibitors include representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Barksdale Air Force Base; Dept. of Veterans Affairs; FEMA; USDA; DOE; Bureau of Prisons; GSA; Minerals Management Service; U.S. Coast Guard; Louisiana National Guard; Dept. of the Navy; CH2MHill; Shaw; Louisiana State Office of Purchasing; James Construction; Tulane University; Gulf Engineers; John E. Chance & Associates; Brown Cunningham & Gannuch, Inc.; South East Procurement Technical Assistance Center; Baton Rouge City Purchasing; Louisiana State Contractor Licensing Board; Liberty Bank; Capital One Bank; Louisiana Housing Finance Agency; Louisiana State University Purchasing; Louisiana Department of Economic Development; Louisiana Secretary of State Office; Louisiana Department of Workers Compensation, and Entergy Inc, and others.

Early Registration ends February 8. Onsite Registration is also available. For more information call (225) 771-3785. Parking will be available at the F.G. Clark Activity Center for all registrants.


Registration Forms:
Download Participant Registration Form in Word Format
   Download Participant Registration Form in PDF Format

Download Exhibitor Registration Form in Word Format
   Download Exhibitor Registration Form in PDF Format