Cherokee Casino to host 2008 ICBS

(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/


(March 24, 2008) The 2008 ICBS will provide a variety of business opportunities to small and large businesses alike. The 2008 theme, "Business Partnering in IndianCountry," emphasizes the importance of companies working together to win more business.

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.

(Jan 15, 2008) The 2008 ICBS has been set for August 25-26 at the Cherokee Casino and Resort. More details on the program and registration will be posted as plans are made.

(Oct 15, 2007) Partners in the Indian Country Business Summit met recently to begin plans for the 2008 event.

Representatives from the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma (AICCO), the Tribal Government Institute (TGI) and the Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network (OBAN) agreed to continue the partnership that produced a successful 2007 summit.

The 2008 summit is expected to be in Tulsa in mid to late August. Bernadette Huber, AICCO executive director, will prepare requests for proposals for the venue and for event management services.

 Watch this site for updates on next year's summit.

Meanwhile, check out the uploaded presentations from the 2007 summit at the OBAN web site:

http://www.okbid.org/ICBS2007/

http://www.aicco.org/

ICBS 2007 Attracts Business Leaders

September 16, 2007

Contact:  Carter Merkle, Program Manager, OBAN
Oklahoma Dept. of CareerTech  1500 W Seventh Ave  Stillwater, OK 74074
Phone: 405-743-5592  http://www.okbid.org     carter@okbid.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Businesses Meet at Indian Country Business Summit 2007



More than 100 people attended the first Indian Country Business Summit in Oklahoma City September 10-11.

The 2007 Summit brought together business experts from tribal and private enterprises to explore ways to combine efforts to win more business from all levels of government agencies and tribal procurement. Teaming was a key focus at the Summit.

Bonnie Taylor, director of contracting at Tinker Air Force Base, said in her keynote address that procurement streamlining continues at Tinker and throughout the Air Force, making business teaming a valuable strategy for small businesses.

The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma joined with the Tribal Government Institute and the Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network to bring this year’s 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.

Summit training topics included procurement needs at Tinker AFB, the FAA and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Speakers told how to market products and services to tribes, how to become certified through Tribal Employment Rights Offices (TERO), how to sell to the State of Oklahoma and how to find subcontracting opportunities by targeting key prime contractors. Sessions also covered surety bonding and audit requirements of the US Department of Defense.

Eighteen exhibitors offered specific information on products and services.

Organizers announced next year’s Summit will be in the Tulsa area and will probably take place in August. They said more information will become available at the web site as plans are made.

OBAN is one of several business services in the Oklahoma CareerTech system. OBAN services include consulting, information gathering and skills training related to government procurement markets.                                                           ###
For information:
http://www.okbid.org     http://www.okcareertech.org     http://www.tgiok.com/   http://www.aicco.org/