Annually, Veterans Florida issues a survey for Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program cohort, workshop, and networking event participants. You are receiving this email because it was reported you attended one or more of the training courses or events we help fund. Reminder: Veterans Florida was created and is funded by the State of Florida to provide you and other aspiring veteran entrepreneurs the training, local resources, and connections to help you and your business succeed. Completing this survey helps ensure you and other veterans continue to have access to our entrepreneur programs and services in the future. The survey information collected is shared with lawmakers and stakeholders to ensure continued Program funding.   Click here to complete your survey. Should you have any questions or need assistance, please reply or email entrepreneur@veteransflorida.org. Thank you for your participation in the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program!

Congressman Bill Posey Presents: FEDERAL CONTRACTING CONFERENCE

RSVP

Meet Procurement Representatives!

Melbourne, FL - Congressman Bill Posey has announced he will be hosting a Federal Contracting Conference on August 16. This is

the chance for government contractors to have one-on-one meetings with procurement representatives from Washington D.C., and

Central Florida to explore new contracting opportunities. This is also an opportunity for local businesses that specialize in technology,

innovation, defense contracting and services to learn how to navigate the federal procurement process.

Congressman Bill Posey is pleased to coordinate with the Space Launch Delta 45 - US Space Force, CareerSource Brevard, USDOT, GSA, NASA, SBA, Small Business Development Center at Eastern Florida State College, Space Florida, and weVENTURE Powered by Florida Institute of Technology.

The agenda includes a keynote address by Congressman Bill Posey, Matchmaker meetings and/or Expo presentations by the following: AAR, Acuity, AFTAC, Apex Accelerator (formerly PTAC), KBR, the Boeing Company, Collins Aerospace, DRS, Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, Inc., Jacobs, L3Harris, NAVFAC, Northrop Grumman, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Special Operations Command, Women In Defense Space Coast Chapter. Networking and a continental breakfast begins at 8:00 AM and the program begins at 8:45 AM. Lunch will be on your own from 11:40 AM until 1:00 PM.

When: August 16, 2023

• 8:00 - 8:45am – Registration, Expo, Networking

• 8:45am -11:40am – Conference

• 1:00pm - 5:00pm – Match Maker Appointments

What: Federal Contracting Conference

• Meet procurements representatives

• Matchmaker appointments – call David Jackson at 321-632-1776 to schedule appointments

• Expo and networking sessions

• Learn about federal contracting

• Hear from local small business resources

• Learn about developing acceptable rates

Where: Florida Solar Energy Center

1679 Clearlake Road

Cocoa, FL 32922

Coordinating Agencies:

Space Launch Delta 45 - US Space Force, CareerSource Brevard, USDOT, GSA, NASA, SBA, Small Business Development Center at Eastern Florida State College, Space Florida, and weVENTURE Powered by Florida Institute of Technology

Who:

This conference is free and open to business owners who want to:

1) Meet procurement representatives

2) Learn the federal procurement process

RSVP

For More Information or to Contact Congressman Posey, visit www.Posey.House.gov

CONGRESSMAN BILL POSEY

Ph: (321) 632-1776

Ph: (772) 226-1701

Toll Free: 1-888-681-1776

Fax: (321) 639-8595

CONGRESSMAN BILL POSEY Ph: (321) 632-1776 Ph: (772) 226-1701 Toll Free: 1-888-681-1776 Fax: (321) 639-8595 www.Posey.House.gov

Many of our members have an interest in the new PACT Act and may be affected by toxic exposure.  Veterans Affairs officials plan a public awareness blitz over the next five weeks to get as many individuals as possible to sign up for new military toxic exposure benefits ahead of an August deadline for retroactive payouts.

 

Toxic Exposure Chat: Newly Expanded Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Toxins

Livestreaming

When: Fri. Jul 14, 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

Where: This is an online event.

Cost: Free

More Veterans are eligible for VA benefits now! Need to know how eligibility for benefits has recently expanded? The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve. Tune in to this Twitch event as Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) teams up with experts from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs on July 14 at 4:00 pm ET.

How to join the event:

• Prior to the event, follow Wounded Warrior Project’s Twitch account.  
• Go to WWP’s Twitch account a few minutes before the event. 
• When the live broadcast begins, a ring will appear around the WWP profile picture with the word Live.
• Tap or click this to view the video.

Deadline Looms for Veterans to Get Retroactive Toxic Exposure Benefits

Read the MOAA article HERE

Additional links on our website to assist in applying and navigating the application.  Find Additional Links Here

 

PACT Act Vet Fest/Claims Workshop Middleburg VA Clinic 400 College Blvd, Suite 200 Middleburg, FL 32068 Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Contact: Bruce.Clisby@va.gov, 727-319-5904

VetFest Florida Tropicana Field 1 Tropicana Drive St. Petersburg, FL 33705 Saturday, August 5, 2023, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm ET Free admission to Veterans and their families Contact: Marykay.Rutan@va.gov, 386-292-3608 PACT Act Summer

VetFest Eglin Air Force Base Outpatient Clinic 100 Veterans Way Pensacola, FL 32542 Friday, August 4, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Contact: Jason Boatwright: Jason.Boatwright@va.gov

Window of Opportunity July 13 Chase Bank.pdf

Chase Bank is hosting a Business Workshop for July 13^th – Window of Opportunity!!!!

In this workshop our business owners will learn how to navigate contracting with government agencies, how to access corporate supplier diversity programs, and certification to do business with these entities. This is a great OPPORTUNITY for those organizations that are looking for ways to diversify their customer base!. (which I believe all the organizations are looking to do so…) and those ones that are owned by veterans  as well.

As always, this workshop will be held at the Hwy 192 and Main St branch and will be conducted by our very own Janice Lopez!  I am attaching the flyer invitation. (we will spoil our participants with some snacks and drinks)

Thank you so much for your support in these activities we are doing for our business community.

And don’t forget to ask your guest to RSVP!

FAVOB Celebrates Women Veteran's Day

Women’s Veteran’s Day is June 12, and recognizes the anniversary of the integration of the Women’s in Armed Services Act of 1948.  In honor of Women's Veteran’s Day, FAVOB is hosting events to celebrate the contribution of our sisters in arms for their accomplishments in business for each local FAVOB Chapter.   The events are an opportunity for women of diverse military backgrounds to come together to celebrate their individual contributions to the armed forces and acknowledge the leadership they continue to demonstrate in their communities.  The events are available to all current FAVOB members as well as potential members.  Refreshments will be provided to all guests while they experience an opportunity to connect with trailblazers who have paved the way for women in the military and beyond.  Continue reading to learn more about the featured speakers and each individual event’s details.

Tampa - 06/11

Salute to Sisters in Service - Tampa will be held at the American Legion Post #5 at 3810 West Kennedy Blvd, Tampa FL 33609 on Sunday, June 11 from 12:00 to 2:30 PM.  The event will feature Kimberly Newsome as the guest speaker.  Kimberly is an Army Veteran and award winning actress who has been featured in Fatal Attraction, Snapped, and Family Thanksgiving.  Kimberly was raised in Jasper, Florida and graduated from Hamilton County High School.  Kimberly served 7 years in the United States Army, and holds two Masters of Arts degrees from Webster University.  

Register for Salute to Sisters in Service - Tampa 

Space Coast - 06/12

Salute to Sisters in Service - Space Coast will be held at the Legacy Angel Lounge, located at 1900 S Harbor City Blvd in Melbourne, FL on Monday, June 12 from 5:30 - 8:00 PM.  This networking celebration of women’s contribution to the armed forces will feature a panel of women veteran business owners who will share their insight and knowledge.  The panel will be moderated by Elizabeth Cassidy, an Air Force veteran and military spouse with a deep passion for helping service members and their families.  Elizabeth is a Mortgage Loan Officer with Future Loans who is passionate about providing VA loans to other service members.  The panel also includes: Susan Glasgow, CEO and President of Kegman, Inc, Susan Porter, owner of Blue Pineapple Appraisal Services, Gloria Weatherspoon, Air Force Veteran and Founder and CEO of Live, Laugh, Lead Coaching and Consulting, and Jeanette Comerford, Active Duty and Sports Chiropractic Health and Rehab professional.

Register for Salute to Sisters in Service - Space Coast 

Orlando

Salute to Sisters in Service - Orlando will be held on June 12 from 5:30 - 8:00 PM at Dubsdread Golf Course, 549 W Par St in Orlando.  The keynote speaker for this event is Sonya Montgomery.  Sonya is an Army veteran and President & Chief Executive Officer at The Desoto Group, one of the nation’s fastest growing Engineering, Procurement and Construction companies.

Join us to enjoy refreshments and the opportunity to connect with trailblazers who have paved the way for women in the military and beyond.

Register for Salute to Sisters in Service - Orlando

Jacksonville

Join FAVOB on June 12 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at USS Orleck Jacksonville Naval Museum, 203 E Coastline Dr, Jacksonville, FL.  This networking opportunity for both active and prospective FAVOB members will provide an opportunity to connect with trailblazers who have paved the way for women in the military and beyond.  This event’s featured speaker is Hellena Pugh, a United States Marine Corps Veteran who founded the Zahara Veterans Network, Inc.  This organization was established for women military veterans to create a nationwide professional network.

Register for Salute to Sisters in Service - Jacksonville

FAVOB is proud to honor all of the women who have served our country and continue to serve and lead within their communities.  This event recognizes Women’s Veterans Day and provides an opportunity to bring together women from diverse military backgrounds in recognition of their invaluable contributions.  

Support Women’s Veteran’s Day For all of June - Order a Berry S-HERO!

FAVOB is proud to partner with Fishlips and Rising Tide restaurants with the introduction of the delicious Berry S-HERO cocktail!  Proceeds from every Berry S-HERO purchased during the month of June will go to support Women’s Veterans.  The Berry S-HERO is a great cocktail for a great cause!  The Berry S-HERo is so delicious you won’t want to have just one, and since the proceeds are going to a great organization, you won’t feel bad about ordering two!  Stop by Fishlips and Rising Tide and order yours today!

For more information about FAVOB, click here.

The Ovideo Winter Springs Regional Chamber is hosting Hometown Hill Day: A Central Florida Leadership Forum. This is your chance to meet with our federal representatives, state representatives and elected officials for Seminole County. As the political climate continues to evolve, it's more important than ever to stay informed and engage in meaningful discussions. From analyzing the current state of affairs to discussing the latest trends and predictions, this event promises to be an insightful and thought-provoking experience.

We are excited to host panel discussions featuring some of the most prominent political commentators and experts in the field. Our federal, state and local officials will be available to discuss and promote awareness about different political issues affecting our community. With 5 different sessions, this is your chance to advocate for your business and meet with the elected officials who can help make change happen. All confirmed speakers are listed below to include our own Representative David Smith.

• Cory Mills - U.S. State Representative
• Jason Brodeur - Florida State Senator District 10
• Rachel Plakon - Florida State Representative District 36
• Susan Plasencia - Florida State Representative District 37
• David Smith - Florida State Representative District 38
• Doug Bankson - Florida State Representative District 39
• Bob Dallari - Seminole County Commissioner District 1
• Lee Constantine - Seminole County Commissioner District 3
• Amy Lockhart - Seminole County Commissioner District 4
• David Johnson - Seminole County Property Appraiser
• Grant Maloy - Seminole County Clerk of the Courts
• Sheriff Dennis Lemma - Seminole County Sheriff
• Chris Anderson - Seminole County Supervisor of Elections
• J.R. Kroll - Seminole County Tax Collector
• Megan Sladek - Mayor of Oviedo
• Kevin McCann - Mayor of Winter Springs

FAVOB Members are invited to attend

Whether you're starting, growing or managing a business, taking a little time to hear about new trends and emerging strategies can have a big impact. Chase for Business is dedicated to helping you gain the in-depth knowledge your business needs to take the next step.

We invite you to join us for an upcoming Business Insights Seminar event, featuring networking opportunities, complimentary breakfast and a presentation by our keynote speaker.

The Time to Win:
Grow Your Business by Exceeding
Customers’ Need for Speed

featuring Jay Baer

• Find out why speed is the most important element of the customer experience and how consumers feel when businesses respond faster or slower than they expected
• Discover the connection between responsiveness and revenue
• Get specific plans of action to determine the optimal response time in any customer interaction

Hyatt Regency Orlando
9801 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 | 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Register here

JR Smith, VP of The Veteran’s Ranch recently announced their newest event, The Diamonds and Boots Gala. This exciting event will entail a full dining experience with full cash bar and a live DJ for dancing. 2 VIP speakers have been confirmed.

The Veteran’s Ranch is a nonprofit that raises money for the purchase and creation of a large equine therapy ranch for veterans and PTSD survivors to heal. JR Smith, the son of a Vietnam Navy Veteran and JR’s wife Pam Smith founded The Veterans Ranch to honor America’s veterans.

Overall, equine therapy can be a valuable tool for veterans who are struggling with mental health issues, providing a unique and effective approach to treatment that can help them regain a sense of emotional well-being and improve their quality of life.

The event will be on May 12, 2023 from 5:30–10pm

Find out more about the Diamonds and Boots Gala here

Building on a successful program that has helped more than 500 veterans open their own businesses in Florida, three more partners have joined the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program.

Beachworx, LLC, SWFL Inc., and the University of North Florida join our growing roster of partners providing veterans with a variety of entrepreneur resources at no cost, including startup and growth cohorts, exclusive workshop admission, veteran networking events, and more.

They join Action Zone Inc., Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative in partnering with Veterans Florida to connect veterans and separating servicemembers with support toward rewarding full-time employment.

“The Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program served the most veterans in its six-year history last year. Adding to our statewide network of entrepreneurship partners builds on that success to meet veterans anywhere at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey,” said Veterans Florida Executive Director Joe Marino. “As the state’s largest creator of veteran-owned businesses, Veterans Florida continues to add partners and equip veteran entrepreneurs with the powerful tools and resources that make Florida the preeminent place for veterans to start and grow their businesses.”

“Thanks to the support of Veterans Florida, we are able to provide quality and consistent business training to the Central Florida veteran community,” said Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative Co-Founder Rafael Caamano. Through this partnership, we assisted and trained over 200 of our fellow veterans this past year. Such measures positively impacts the veteran community while supplementing economic development efforts that stimulate the generation or stability of tax revenues for the state and region, a win-win for everyone."

Other partners include:

Action Zone, Inc. (Tampa, South Florida) – Startup & Growth Cohorts, Virtual Startup Cohorts, Workshops, Networking Events

Beachworx, LLC (Destin) - Workshops and Networking Events

Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses - Jacksonville, Orlando, Panhandle, Space Coast, and Tampa Chapters – Networking Events

Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton) – Startup & Growth Cohorts, Workshops, Networking Events, Coworking Spaces

Florida Gulf Coast University (Fort Myers) – Startup & Growth Cohorts, Workshops, Networking Events

SWFL Inc. (Fort Myers) - Workshops

University of North Florida (Jacksonville) - Startup Cohort, Workshops, Networking Events

Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (Orlando, North Florida) – Startup & Growth Cohorts, Workshops, Networking Events

The Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program has served 2,372 veterans who have opened 504 businesses, hired 744 employees, and generated more than $124 million in revenue. Participants have received national recognition and numerous awards for their accomplishments.

Veterans and partners interested in the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program can visit veteransflorida.org/entrepreneurship or contact VETS Program Manager Amy Dudley at dudley@veteransflorida.org.

About Veterans Florida

Veterans Florida is a non-profit created by the State of Florida to help military veterans and their families transition to civilian life and to promote Florida’s status as the nation’s most veteran-friendly state. Veterans Florida is also the state’s designated DOD SkillBridge assistance organization. Visit veteransflorida.org for more information and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for updates on veteran opportunities in Florida.

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Copyright © 2023 Veterans Florida, All rights reserved.

NASA Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP)
Virtual Networking Event

Thursday, January 26

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET

• As NASA continues to innovate in the space exploration, scientific, and research & development industries, small businesses will be critical to its missions. Each entity plays a unique role in cultivating lifelong success.

  Join the NASA Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) for a networking event – Research and Develop Your Small Business Opportunities at NASA. This event will host four networking rooms.

  Networking Room #1 - NASA OSBP and Center Small Business Specialists

  Networking Room #2 - NASA Office of Procurement

  Networking Room #3 – NASA Offices:

•         Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Small Business Innovation Research & Small Business Technology Transfer Program (SBIR/STTR)
•         NASA Partnership Office
•         NASA Office of STEM Engagement

Networking Room #4 – Agency Prime Contractors

Click here to register for Research and Develop Your Small Business Opportunities at NASA.

Log-in information and networking details will be provided after registration.  E-mail reminders will be sent the day before and the day of the event.

Questions about this event?  Contact NASA OSBP at smallbusiness@nasa.gov or 202-358-2088