The 3rd Annual FDOT DBE & SBE Winter Expo takes place virtually on Wednesday, 16 February, from 9 am to 1 pm (EST). This is a no-fee event to attend and focuses on disadvantaged (women, minority, veteran) and small businesses who want to learn how to do business with the Florida Department of Transportation.

As we regularly point out regarding supplier diversity opportunities, do not automatically think that your company's products and services are not a good fit for this agency. Along with construction contracts, FDOT is an agency that also contracts for many administrative and other technical products and services. Additionally, small businesses involved in Government contracting often outsource for business services like accounting, finances, marketing, legal services, payroll, employee benefits, etc.

This virtual expo offers:

• Networking with Fellow Business Owners
• Connecting with Prime Contractors and Agency Contacts
• Learning about Upcoming FDOT Projects
• Attending Practical Training Sessions

Use this link to register: https://www.accelevents.com/e/fdotforum2022

Here is the expo agenda:

9:00 am Opening Session – Main Stage

9:30 am 1-1 Video Networking Begins and Exhibitor Booths Open

10:00 am Breakout Session: Increasing Capacity

10:30 am Breakout Session: Effective Estimating

11:30 am Breakout Session: Post-Pandemic Business Growth Strategies

12:00 pm Breakout Session: I’m a Certified DBE/SBE… Now What? (FDOT)

12:30 pm Closing Session – Main Stage

1:00 pm 1-1 Video Networking & Exhibitor Booths Close

FAVOB will be attending the expo. Please stop into our booth and leave your contact information if you'd like to learn more about FAVOB or to meet our new CEO. Let's grow together!

The University of West Florida Department of Social Work is looking for a veteran organization willing to work with a small group of students on getting some sort of project up and running this semester. This can be a project the organization has been wanting to start and hasn't been able to yet, or you can work with the students to come up with a completely new idea. Some ideas include: starting a veteran support group, using new mediums such as discord or googlemeet to set up game nights or book clubs with veterans, or setting up a clothing and food locker for veterans experiencing financial instability. You can also take this opportunity and make it your own, doing something completely new and different!

If you're interested, please reach out to Alleia Davila at adavila@uwf.edu with your organization name, contact name, phone and email.

Charina Narciso

Coordinator, Military & Veterans Resource Center

University of West Florida
11000 University Pkwy.
Pensacola, FL 32514

850.474.3459

850.474.2671 fax
uwf.edu/mvrc

Starting out the new year with some great news about the AAFES/ NDVSB eMarketplace! We have heard from the Air Force and they are ready to begin the rollout and training process by the end of January. To quote, “We have worked with Air Combat Command (ACC) and are planning on a government only meeting with the commanders, DBOs, and small business professionals late January to educate them on AF FIRST LOOK. I expect from that we will start a rolling education campaign for ACC bases"

Informational webinar on January 20th. The webinar is open to any supplier who is interested in learning more about the ePS/NDVSB Program and business growth opportunities. We invite you to attend as well! During the webinar, we will be sharing the update from the Air Force including the strategy for the rollout and training for the bases listed below,

Please register for ePS-NDVSB Program Update: Private Sector and Federal Program on Jan 20, 2022 1:00 PM EST at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6249545347507466512

ACC bases include:

Beale AFB, CA

Davis Monthan AFB, AZ

Dyess AFB, TX

Ellsworth AFB, SD

Holloman AFB, NM

Langley AFB, VA

Moody AFB, GA

Mountain Home AFB, ID

Nellis & Creech AFB, NV

Offutt AFB, NB

Seymour Johnson AFB, NC

Shaw AFB, SC

Closely following, these bases will launch:

Los Angeles AFB, CA

JB Andrews, MD

JB San Antonio, TX

Travis AFB, CA

Wright-Patterson, OH

Edwards AFB, CA

Vandenberg SFB, CA

Goodfellow AFB, TX

Laughlin AFB, TX

Sheppard AFB, TX

Tyndall AFB, FL

Patrick SFB, FL

Naval Air Station, FL

MacDill AFB, FL

Hulburt Field, FL

Eglin AFB, FL

FAVOB Member Teresa Moon is hosting a webinar on 14 December at 1 pm (EST) to dive into Simplified Acquisitions with Guy Timberlake. No cost to attend except for your time and attention. Register at this link. 

Action Zone is hosting a sales workshop, one of the most vexing challenges our new businesses face. Part of their Take Action series, this workshop is co-sponsored by Veterans Florida and is free of charge. This workshop will presented both live (Tampa, FL) and virtually on 16 December 2021 from 5:30-8:30 pm (EST)

Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/take-action-mastering-the-sales-process-tickets-199802152617?aff=Eventbrite

Each year at this time, Wreaths Across America seeks to place a holiday wreath at the final resting place of all veterans. FAVOB member VFW Post 10147 Apopka /Altamonte Springs is seeking wreath sponsors and volunteers for their local effort. Here are some more details from Loretta Forlaw:

My team and I volunteer to find sponsors so there is a wreath for every known veteran (385) in the City of Apopka Edgewood/Greenwood ceremony. Tuesday, 30 November, is our cut off for ordering wreaths to be delivered for the 18 December ceremony. It is just $15 to sponsor a wreath. You can honor a Veteran in the City of Apopka Edgewood/Greenwood Cemetery online by sponsoring a wreath/ signing up to volunteer until Midnight November 30 2021 - Our link https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/161822

Wreaths Across America

Edgewood/Greenwood Cemetery, Apopka, FL

Please sponsor a wreath and or Volunteer at this link!

https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/161822

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taaiY-Nlvkw

Wreaths Across America Day. Our ceremony and placing of wreaths is on December 18, 2021 at 12 Noon. Thank You notes prepared by a local member of the Rainbow Girls will be presented at the ceremony and/or mailed to sponsors and volunteers.

Thank You!

Loretta Forlaw, PhD, RN, FACHE

COL (Ret) ANC

Chief of Staff (Volunteer)

 VFW Post 10147 Apopka /Altamonte Springs

Phone: 407-579-5971

Loretta.forlaw@gmail.com

TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO STARTINGA BUSINESS AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE

IS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP FOR YOU?

Entrepreneurship and small business ownership are key opportunities for transitioning service members and

veterans as they transition to civilian life. Returning veterans are natural entrepreneurs, possessing the skills,

experience and leadership to start businesses and create jobs. According to the most recent U.S. Census, veteran-

owned firms represent 9% of all U.S. small businesses. These 2.45 million veteran-owned businesses employ over

5.5 million people, and are part of the backbone of the US economy. If you have a passion and the drive to start a

business, this intensive training workshop is a perfect fit for you!

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

The Two-day Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Self- Employment Intensive Training Workshop is offered in

collaboration among the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at

Syracuse University (IVMF), the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

PARTICIPANT BENEFITS

After this two-day workshop, you will learn if starting a business is right for you and the variety of options you have in

small business ownership. You will gain access to free tools and resources you can use to assess the feasibility of your

business idea and the steps you need to take to create a viable plan for your venture.

WHEN: 1 Dec – 2 Dec 2021 / 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

WHERE: Virtual Event via WEBEX

POC: Mr. Salvatore J. Noto

Phone: 321-494-5676/3472

Email: salvatore.noto@spaceforce.mil

ELIGIBILITY

You must be a transitioning service member, veteran, or spouse

TO REGISTER:

Call the Airman & Family Readiness Center at Patrick SFB: 321-494-5676

Florida Welcomes Veterans

For: Veterans, transitioning servicemembers, military families, employers who want to bolster their workforce

Florida doesn’t just talk about being veteran-friendly. We back it up with action. From establishing the nation’s first statewide DOD SkillBridge initiative to our entrepreneurship program where participants have generated $124 Million in revenue, Florida welcomes veterans with opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you’re a veteran looking for a career, an entrepreneur starting and growing a business, or an employer seeking to bolster your workforce, our guests represent some of the top organizations that can help you succeed. They’ll discuss the roles they play in Florida’s economy and take your questions live.

Speakers

Joe Marino, Executive Director, Veterans Florida, U.S. Army Veteran

Matthew Choy, Director of Talent, Education and Quality of Life Policy, Florida Chamber of Commerce

Greg Britton, Chief Executive Officer, Florida Small Business Development Centers Network

Steven Gustafson, Workforce Administrator - Statewide Programs, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

Terry McCaffrey, Col., USAF (Ret.), Vice President - Military and Defense Programs, Enterprise Florida

Time

Nov 30, 2021 10:00 AM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 Register today to save your place and get reminders ahead of the event.  

Opportunities await!!!

Free & Open to All Military, Federal, Contractor Personnel & Those Interested in Technology

Registration online or on-site

*Pre-Register online at https://fdaexpo.com/register.php?id=296

(Highly recommend to save time and avoid crowding at registration table)

Patrick SFB Technology Expo

Event Location: Cocoa Beach, FL [The Tides Co-Located Club]

Event Date/Time: Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 / 0930-1330

Event Details: This event is scheduled to be held live and in person. Should things change due to the pandemic this information will be updated. Located at Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., the 45th Space Wing Staff Agencies strive to continue being a top command and control (C2) organization in Air Force Space Command, providing incomparable service to their customers. The 45th Space Wing has more than 30 major mission partners and tenants at Patrick AFB and Cape Canaveral AFS, including: -Defense Equality Opportunity Management Institute -Air Force Technical Applications Center -National Aeronautics and Space Administration -Naval Ordnance Test Unit -920th Rescue Wing, Air Force Reserve Command -Joint STARS Test Force -Department of State INL Air Wing -Air Force Office of Special Investigations-date knowledge of space launch operations and maintenance. The expo will be promoted to all mission partners and units at Patrick AFB. The 2019 expo featured over 35 exhibitors and 200 attendees.