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Annual Tinker and the Primes networking event is next week

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  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Tinker and the Primes National Business Event is days away.

On Nov. 8-10 at the Sheraton Midwest City Hotel at the Reed Conference Center, up to 12,000 people are expected to attend the networking event. Organized differently than years past, the 2010 affair will offer a new theme and its own keynote speaker for each day.

"There are so many small businesses out there that could fill Tinker's needs, but they just don't know what to do or where to start when dealing with the government," said Dustin Wilkins, program analyst for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Business Office. "If they get on the Internet and look, it's even more confusing; they could be led in 50 different directions and it's really not that hard."

The sixth annual three-day event will kick off with a small business forum, workshops and industry panel meetings.

Day one will center on small business forums and feature keynote speaker John Caporal, acting director of the office of small business programs in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.

Day two will have many guest speakers including the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center Commander Maj. Gen. Gary McCoy and prime contractors.

Day three is focused on the Air Force Materiel Command and trends in acquisition procurement that relate to the Acquisition Improvement Plan. Lt. Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, AFMC vice commander will provide a presentation to tie everything that happened in the three days together, Mr. Wilkins said.

"It's just better structured," Mr. Wilkins said, "because last year it was just a conference with one big keynote speaker. There's a lot more interaction this year with small business."

More than 95 exhibitors are expected to be in attendance.

"Attendees can expect there will be business opportunities available at Tinker and the Primes," said Dave Burnett, Midwest City Chamber of Commerce director of Economic Development and Tinker and the Primes. "It doesn't mean that it will just be handed to them on a silver platter.

But, there will be opportunities with Tinker and prime contractors if companies are willing to look for them. When businesses connect, opportunity happens."