SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 2003--The San Diego Regional Technology Alliance (RTA) will host “GovCom,” a two day conference for high tech and life sciences companies seeking to do business with the federal government, on November 17 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and November 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hilton San Diego Mission Valley. The conference, underwritten by Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, one of the largest full-service law firms in the country with offices in San Diego, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco, among others.
The RTA has organized the conference to help commercial companies better understand the complex government purchasing process. Given increased government interest in privately developed “mission critical” products and services -- potentially addressing homeland security, bio-remediation or cyber terrorism -- and lucrative contract amounts, more and more private companies are looking to the government as an alternative source of customers and revenue. However, the majority of private companies need straightforward education on the topic.
“At a time when commercial markets for technology are shrinking, working with the government may seem like a relatively easy and attractive opportunity,” said Tyler Orion, RTA’s president and CEO. “However, we have found that most companies really don’t have enough information to weigh the pros and cons, nor do they have the knowledge required to navigate public sector markets with success. We hope GovCom will shed light on this often confusing topic and help companies make more informed choices.”
The conference is designed for companies that already have products or services in the marketplace, although R&D stage companies may find it enlightening. Attendees will learn the basic fundamentals of the government procurement process, the administrative challenges, etiquette and protocol for doing business with the government, the typical acquisition cycles and other critical information. Speakers include Homeland Security and Defense officials as well as executives and entrepreneurs from Epsilon Systems, Quantum Magnetics, WiredRed Software, and Silicon Space.
About the RTA
The San Diego Regional Technology Alliance (www.sdrta.org) is a private non-profit corporation that promotes technology growth in the region by providing business assistance to high tech and biotech entrepreneurs and companies, programs to bridge the digital divide, and research to help shape public policy and forge effective collaborations. This fall, the organization will introduce “RTA2004" with a suite of new programs and services for the technology community.
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Hilton San Diego Mission Valley
901 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, CA 92108
Cost: $99. Price covers the entire 2 day conference plus the luncheon.
Contacts
The San Diego Regional Technology Alliance Joanne Aarstol, 619-615-1050, ext. 12 jaarstol@sdrta.org
