Reserve your spot for Speed Connect!

Tips to prepare for Speed Connect!

It’s important to make good use of both the Prime’s time and your time. To help ensure a successful meeting Keli Krueger Huhra, Director of Illinois PTAC, has provided some preparation tips to maximize this opportunity.  

• Do your homework!!
• Research the Prime. Conduct preliminary research on the agency’s website. Know what they do and know where they are.
• Focus on your area of expertise & value proposition.
• Make sure you bring a completed capability statement to ALL sessions.
• Reference 2 to 3 Federal contracts or similar projects completed. 
• Include Differentiators that explain why a prime/firm should use you over other small businesses that perform the same type of work and provide the same products.    
• Have an “Elevator” Speech.
• Be able to verbalize your company in 20 seconds at a 30,000’ level.
• Avoid developing unrealistic expectations based on the meeting.
• Follow the recommended avenues of opportunity outlined by the firm.
• Understand, the primary objective of a small business is to emphasize its high-quality products or services, on-time delivery, and best value is paramount. Focus on your area of expertise & value proposition.
• Show up professionally to & at the meeting.
• Recognize the various small business certifications (i.e. 8(a), SDB, HUBZone, women-owned, economically-disadvantaged women-owned, service disabled veteran) are secondary considerations relative to accomplishing the firm’s mission

Be cognizant of time and do not prolong the discussion past the 12 minutes set for the meeting.

The 2023 Symposium offers a jam-packed 2-day format with valuable content in the following areas:

Innovation  ●  CMMC ●  Sustainment ●  Matchmaking

Reception to be held at the recently renovated Rock Island Museum

Do not miss this tremendous opportunity to network with the government sector, as well as other defense contracting businesses in the industry. Develop the network you need to be successful within the government market!

This conference is an opportunity for both small and large businesses interested in the federal market. Speakers and discussions will be geared specifically to aid businesses in better understanding this challenging market!