“The primary focus of the Small Business component of the Momentum expo is to provide entrepreneurs with the necessary developmental resources, and professional access to information & networking opportunities that will advance their small-business interests.  This program comes in response to a growing national effort to spearhead job growth and economic stimulation, amidst what many consider to be the harshest period of joblessness and socio-economic decline of this generation. Unfortunately, Veterans of the US Military represent one of the most under-served communities and have been stricken with disproportionately high rates unemployment in comparison to other groups.  Entrepreneurs ourselves, our staff of advisors and volunteers can relate to the personal and operational strains aligned with one’s pursuit of independent, small-business interests.  The “Momentum” expo will allow us to not only extend the expertise of our firm, (services ranging from the development of a focused Executive Summary and exploring the advantages of web-based marketing), but also the valued knowledge and expertise of partnering agencies and corporations in an effort to accommodate the needs of small business owners within the military community.

Please note: We are in the process of scheduling speakers, as well as coordinating times and room locations for each of the following events.  Please check back for news & updates.
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The Small Business component of the 2012 Momentum Expo will aim to provide participants with the tools, resources, and information needed to assist them in navigating through the developmental stages of building their businesses.  The focus of these sessions is to provide a platform through which entrepreneurs and small business owners within the military community can gain access to a variety networking & business-building opportunities that will advance their professional ambitions.  CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE AGENDA.

Keynote Speaker Series:
In the coming weeks, we will introduce a diverse lineup of speakers and contributors; who not only represent different business sectors, industries, or servicing components of the federal government, but each independently qualified to elaborate upon the specific issues shared by those attempting to start, develop, advance, and/or expand their small business interests.  Our speaker series will allow participants to peak into the personal, entrepreneurial journeys of those whose start-ups became prominent brands; and have now committed themselves to assisting others in their pursuit of entrepreneurialism.

Entrepreneurial Resources Forum:
From Federal and State-level contracting, to international trade and expansion… there are many strategies to advancing your small business.  Sadly however, many entrepreneurs do not have access to or are unfamiliar with the necessary registration and competitive solicitation processes; which serve as the gateway to taking your business to the next level.  As part of “Momentum,” we will coordinate a 45-minute forum led by participating business leaders, resources managers, and invited guests who will highlight, advise, and provide insight into a number small business development issues, including (but not limited to):

• The variety of state, federal, & defense procurement opportunities  being made available to small businesses,
• Assistance in completing federal contracting eligibility requirements,
• International Trade & Expansion Opportunities,
• Access to Capital,
• Minority-based Economic Opportunities, and
  
• Small Business Indemnity.
  

“Overtime” Panel Session:
Lastly, we will complete the symposium with an open panel Q&A session, through which panelists will address a host of small business concerns as well as respond to inquiries submitted by attendees during the registration process.  Topics could range from:

• Ways to utilize the web & social media outlets as a cost effective, alternative marketing strategy, to
• Small business resource available to assist with training & development.

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eMerging Entrepreneurs, Inc. is a North Carolina registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, that provides Small Business Training and Entrepreneurial Developmental services to military and minority communities.  The organization serves to provide a grassroots approach to assisting those who seek to advance their small business interests; partnering with state & federal agencies, universities, local chambers of commerce, and military installations in an effort to extend high-tech training & resource solutions to underserved communities. 

The organization was recently honored by the White House’s office of Public Engagement as a 2012 “Champion of Change”, as part of President Obama’s “Winning the Future” initiative for the organization’s contributions towards Veterans’ Economic Advancement.


“The Small business is America’s most powerful engine of opportunity and economic growth… That’s where SBA comes in.  The Small Business Administration offers a variety of programs and support services to help entrepreneurs navigate through thee issues faced within the initial application, and resources to help after you open for business.” | www.sba.gov
Note: The SBA is a contributor to the Small Business Symposium, and is not an official sponsor or partner of the 2012 Momentum Expo.


The US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration strengthens the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promotes trade and investment, and ensures fair trade through the rigorous enforcement of our trade laws and agreements.  ITA works to improve the global business environment and helps U.S. organizations compete at home and abroad.  ITA supports President Obama’s recovery agenda and the National Export Initiative to sustain economic growth and support American jobs.


The Veteranscorp.org mission is to help structure and facilitate collaborations between nonprofit and profit small business entities and veteran/service disabled veteran owned small businesses. Veteranscorp.org serves as the reconstitution of the National Veterans Business Development Corporation, dba The Veterans Corporation, which was chartered by Congress under Public Law 106-50. The new Veteranscorp.org is not chartered by Congress but has assumed the original mission: to help and educate Veterans in small business. To accomplish its mission, Veteranscorp.org acts as clearinghouse for ideas and information deemed useful to veteran and service disabled veteran owned small businesses. Veteranscorp.org also acts as a clearinghouse for soliciting and distributing small business information to the general public.


The U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s Army Research Office (ARO) mission is to serve as the Army’s premier extramural basic research agency in the engineering, physical, information and life sciences; developing and exploiting innovative advances to insure the Nation’s technological superiority. Basic research proposals from educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private industry are competitively selected and funded. ARO’s research mission represents the most long-range Army view for changes in its technology. ARO priorities fully integrate Army-wide, long-range planning for research, development, and acquisition.


The North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development is a statewide nonprofit organization representing the interest of underdeveloped and underutilized sectors of the state’s economic base. The Institute’s working philosophy is that—information and business development are critical to wealth creation and to building the asset base among low-wealth sectors of the population.


Founded and incorporated in 2003, K2 Solutions, Inc. (K2) evolved with the intent of continued service to the nation.  The company delivers a broad spectrum of services, from canine training and vulnerability assessments for sensitive sites, to technical development of performance assessment tools, assessment and selection of personnel, operational advice to ground force commanders in theater, determination of future developmental requirements, and weapons and explosives training, testing and evaluation. K2 also offers anti-terrorism training, counter-IED training to deployed forces and those preparing to deploy, counter-proliferation training, technical development projects and programs, Red Team operations, and Table Top Exercises.


The North Carolina Defense Business Association is comprised of a group of businesses with interests in military contracting, government affairs and supporting the state’s military installations.  The purpose of the Association is to build the Defense and Homeland Security industry clusters at military installations in North Carolina.  The Association is comprised of a vast networking group of defense contractors, private businesses, Chambers, Economic Developers, municipalities, military leadership, Universities, and Community Colleges that is reaching across the state to provide a networking opportunity that promotes doing business in North Carolina.


Amidon Contracting Solutions, Inc. (Amidon) offers the total government contracting solution by not only providing construction, manufacturing, and facilities support services but by also providing training facilitation, private protective services, and professional management, technical, and administrative support. Amidon is experienced in simultaneously managing multiple contracts and projects with key customers that include all branches of the Department of Defense, the United States Army Special Operations Command, Department of Homeland Security, and the General Services Administration. Amidon takes pride in the number of military and law enforcement veterans we employ and understands the need for quality training, possesses the knowledge to design and replicate tactical training environments, and has the experience to develop and implement various training scenarios that accurately depict the harsh realities of various threat environments.