Small business opportunities to be highlighted during AFITC 2010 Published Aug. 24, 2010 By Jason Bishop 754th Electronic Systems Group MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The No. 1 information technology conference in the Air Force will be bringing back its popular sessions designed with small businesses in mind. The Air Force Information Technology Conference 2010, scheduled to run Aug. 30 - Sept. 2 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center in Montgomery, will feature keynote speakers, town hall meetings and match-making sessions specifically designed to highlight small business. The small business portion of AFITC 2010 will feature keynote briefer Mary Reynolds, director of policy for the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Small Business Programs. The small business town hall meetings will be led by government and industry participants. Representatives will communicate their government entity's interests. Key focus areas include mission-supporting capabilities needed by small businesses, current and future contracting vehicles and training opportunities. Attendance will be on a first-come, first-serve basis on Aug. 30 from 12:30 to 2:25 p.m. The match-making sessions are an opportunity for the small businesses to share how they meet the representative's needs in an effort to secure contracts and/or teaming arrangements. Match making is on Aug. 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 pm. Hosted by the Air Force Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems in conjunction with the city of Montgomery, AFITC is one of the primary tools for keeping Air Force IT users, developers and managers current on the latest technologies. Attendees also receive a "vector check" from leading government and industry experts on the direction of IT in the Air Force while learning how to best apply the latest technology to keep the Air Force the most advanced fighting force in the world. AFITC will also provide its popular targeted training seminars and showcase product demonstrations from industry, academia and government. Registration for AFITC 2010 is free to all military members -- active, reservist and retired -- local, state or federal government employees, government contractors and college/university employees and students. The event is expected to attract more than 200 vendors and 6,000 attendees from around the world. For more information on the small business portion of AFITC 2010 or to register for the conference online, visit http://afitc.gunter.af.mil.