At BOGS, firms network to create relationships. Many firms have formed strong relationships from past BOGS workshops and these relationships continue to prosper. Businesses have used training workshops to learn how to do business in the public and private sectors. State, Federal and other procurement assistance agencies will be on hand to help you understand how to navigate your way around the world of government contracting.

BOGS 2009 will highlight opportunities in government. Several State projects planned for the future will provide opportunities for firms. Officials from the Federal and State agencies plus many prime vendors will discuss how small businesses can plan for opportunities despite today’s uncertainties.

The 2009 program has been arranged to enable all attendees to attend more than one workshop session on topics of particular interest. The morning session will begin with a general session and choice of workshops on how to participate fully in the many opportunities with State and Federal agencies. The largest business activities in the United States are those with the public sector. The Department of Administration will honor businesses that have demonstrated excellent supplier diversity results on state contracts with the presentation of the Accolade Awards at the Noon luncheon following a keynote speaker.

Other workshops in the day will include bonding, available Federal and State contracts and training on how to source opportunities by using the Web. DOT will focus on opportunities on the “Highway 41 Project” among other current topics.

There is sufficient time provided for BOGS participants to have meaningful “business exchanges” during the event. Business exchanges are time allotted to all participants to arrange “one on one” meetings with the many exhibitors and primes who may be of interest to them. Many of the exhibitors are looking for small, minority, women and veteran owned businesses in order to meet the supplier diversity requirements of their contracts.

There will be workshops on “Green Building Initiatives” such as the “Conserve Wisconsin Initiative”, which have been enunciated by the Governor’s Executive Orders and Act 141 to include “LEED” ratings on buildings and sustainability in construction. It is important for all businesses to understand how to take advantage of the opportunities available in “Green buildings” in the areas of supplies, service, design and construction.