(May 20, 2008)  Business owners and managers will meet in Tulsa, Oklahoma Aug. 25 - 26 to network and learn about teaming for success in tribal, federal and other government markets.

To open the summit on August 25th, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby will deliver the keynote address. When Gov. Anoatubby was first elected governor in 1987, the Chickasaw Nation had approximately 250 employees and annual operating outlays totaled less than $11 million. Today, the Chickasaw Nation has more than 10,000 employees and capital outlays in excess of $350 million.

This year's event will again feature a panel of people from private business, government agencies and tribal enterprises talking about the advantages and challenges of teaming. A large number of prime contractors and other large corporations have been asked to participate this year to increase business opportunities for smaller companies through networking.

Session topics being planned include Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO), supplier diversity programs, doing business with Tinker and with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, special diversity programs in the City of Tulsa, and a variety of others.

The event will also offer a matchmaking opportunity for small businesses. Small business participants will sign up to deliver 8-minute introductions to panels of government buyers and prime contractors.

The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma has joined with the Tribal Government Institute (TGI) and the Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network (OBAN) to produce the Summit. The TGI and OBAN are business-training programs funded in part by the U.S. Department of Defense in support of a diversified federal supply chain.

“It is important in today’s markets to work in teams to pursue new contracts,” OBAN Program Manager Carter Merkle said recently. “Certain diversity goals make teaming with American Indian-owned companies and tribal enterprises attractive as a business strategy.”

OBAN is part of Oklahoma’s CareerTech business and training services. OBAN operates local offices in 15 technology centers across the state. OBAN services include consulting, information gathering and skills training related to government procurement markets

The AICCO is a volunteer organization with a diverse membership of individuals and businesses. It is funded through membership dues and corporate sponsors and serves American Indian businesses in their efforts to grow.

TGI and OBAN are funded as Procurement Technical Assistance Centers under the Defense Logistics Agency. They help small businesses selling to government agencies. TGI works with tribal industry and individual Indian-owned businesses.

Sponsorships are available at $2,500 (Gold), $1,500 (Silver) and $750 (Bronze). All sponsors are offered an exhibit booth with varying levels of literature exposure and registrations. An exhibit booth alone runs $500.

Attendee registrations will be $200 ($100 for additional registrations from the same company) for full registration across both days. Single day registration is also available. To register contact the AICCO office at 1-800-OK-AICCO. (1-800-652-4226)

A pre-conference golf tournament is being planned for Sunday, August 24. To register call Brian Weatherman at 918-384-5842

For more information about the conference visit the website http://www.indiancountrybusinesssummit.com/

This year's event will again feature a panel of people from private business, government agencies and tribal enterprises talking about the advantages and challenges of teaming. A large number of prime contractors and other large corporations have been asked to participate this year to increase business opportunities for smaller companies through networking.

Session topics being planned include TERO, supplier diversity programs, doing business with Tinker and with the US Army Corps of Engineers, special diversity programs in the City of Tulsa, and a variety of others.

Match making sessions will give small businesses a few minutes to introduce their company capabilities to buyers and trading partners.

Sponsorships are available at $2,500 (Gold), $1,500 (Silver) and $750 (Bronze). All sponsors are offered an exhibit booth with varying levels of literature exposure and registrations. An exhibit booth alone runs $500.

Attendee registrations will be $200 ($100 for additional registrations from the same company) for full registration across both days. Single day registration is also available.

A pre-conference golf tournament is being organized for Sunday, August 24.

To secure a sponsorship or for more information please contact the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma (AICCO) at chamber@aicco.org.