Five years ago, Industry Day consisted of a few booths lined up in the loading dock. Last year, hundreds of booths filled the iWireless Center. Although, participation increased, the focus of Industry Day has diminished.
"The purpose of Industry Day has been to understand business and how to work with (Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center)," Kimberly Conrad, Staff Action Officer, said. "The event grew and was successful but lost focus in helping people learn how to do business with us. After last years' Industry Day, it was suggested we look into the Small Business Symposium since it's geared towards how to work with the government."
That led Conrad to meet with National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) to see if Industry Day could join forces with the Small Business Symposium.
NDIA Small Business Symposium will take place on May 23 and 24 at the iWireless Center in Moline. The purpose is to work with the organic base and private enterprise to collaborate on how to produce the best equipment for the Warfighters as well as discuss ways in which small businesses can work with large businesses and the government. The agenda consists of informational sessions, panel discussions, speakers, luncheons, networking opportunities, display booths and more.
RIA-JMTC's Industry Day portion will take place in the afternoon on May 24. It will consist of speakers and a panel discussion. A schedule of events is below. Tours will be given throughout the entire day. Buses for the tours will drive participants back and forth from the iWireless Center to RIA-JMTC.
John Masengarb, Interim Chair of the Planning Committee, thinks it is beneficial to combine both events as in years past several participants would attend both events.
"By combining both events, we reduce costs for participants attending from outside of the Quad Cities commuting area," Masengarb said. "For those participants that have previously only attended Industry Day, we are providing them with information on other available opportunities here on Arsenal Island as well as providing them the opportunity to participate in matchmaking sessions with prime contractors looking to expand their small business base."
As of March, a little over 200 people had registered to attend, 70 booths had been reserved and 68 attendees had expressed interest in taking a tour. The expectation is to be full before the show registration ends.
Conrad is looking forward to feedback from attendees. She wants to hear their opinions of how this years' event compared to years in the past. The biggest challenge this year she has faced has been getting the word out.
"Getting past attendees to understand Industry Day is part of NDIA Small Business Symposium this year," Conrad said. "The biggest challenge has been getting past attendees to accept and understand the new format of this event."
Masengarb wants to provide attendees with an array of topics aimed at how small businesses can prepare contracts to work with the federal government.
"(This event will) offer presentations, provide exhibits where government and industry can connect with interested companies, and provide several networking opportunities with potential companies during the symposium," he said.
RIA-JMTC Agenda
May 24
1:30-1:50 -- Opening Remarks, Colonel James O. Fly Jr.
1:50-2:15 -- Military Speaker TBD
2:15-2:40 -- Partner speaker, Sivyer Steel executive
2:40-3:00 -- How to work with RIA-JMTC, speaker Gary Taylor, Chief of Strategic Planning
3:00-3:30 -- Panel and discussion with Colonel Fly, Sivyer Steel leadership, Gary Taylor and Contracting Officer Dana Harris *
*Tentative participants.
Related Links:
Online registration for Industry Day and Small Business Symposium
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