2003 Williamsburg Area Women and
Minority-Owned Business Procurement Conference Well Attended

CONTACT:

Al Bush, James City County Industrial Development Director and Conference Chairman - 253-2516
Sandra Barner, Economic Development Project Coordinator, James City County - 253-6607

From left to right: Al Bush, Conference Chairman (standing); Bob Hershberger, Executive Director, Williamsburg Area Chamber of Commerce (seated); Stephanie Ahrendt, James City County Purchasing Director; Stuart Smith, City of Williamsburg Information Resources Manager and Purchasing Agent; and Tom Sawyer, York County Purchasing Agent.

DATE ISSUED: October 31, 2003

James City County was the host location for a conference at the Radisson Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center this week featuring information about local, State, and federal procurement practices and business assistance resources. More than 100 business entrepreneurs attended the event. James City County, its Economic Development Authority and Office of Economic Development, York County's Economic Development Authority, the City of Williamsburg, and the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise jointly sponsored the conference.

Al Bush, who is a small business owner himself and a Director of the James City County Economic Development Authority, served as the conference chairman. In opening remarks, he noted that millions of dollars of business are done each year through the public procurement process. The goal of the conference was to increase participation in that process by women and minority-owned firms through education and networking.

Procurement officers for seven government agencies with purchasing functions in the Williamsburg Area gave presentations and staffed exhibits. Business counseling agencies and other business resource groups were also on hand. Closing remarks were provided by Mr. Ed Hamm, Director of the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise.