Education Topic: How Agencies and Suppliers can work with Small Business Set Aside companies (SWAM)

This month’s educational meeting will be in a panel discussion format. This program will address the rules and changes resulting from Virginia Executive Order 20.  The conversation will include explaining and understanding the 3^rd party planner’s role. The panel will also offer tips on how to create an effective relationship among all parties involved with making your meeting a success.  This topic has proven to provide our members with new challenges and sparked much debate in the past.  Be sure to come ready with your questions for the panel.

Core Competency - Financial & Contract Management

Panel:

Christopher Mattox- Senior Procurement Officer- DHCD
Christopher has over 16 years of state procurement experience. Since 2007, he has served as the Senior Procurement Officer for the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Prior to his service as DHCD, he served as a procurement specialist for the Virginia Department of Transportation specializing in information technology procurements. Christopher is the agency’s SWaM Champion and helped the agency increase SWAM purchasing from less than 1% to over 80% utilizing the small business set aside.  Chris holds an MBA from Averett University.

Velma Ballard Ph.D., SPHR, IMPA-SCP, SHRM-SCP – Interim Deputy Director- DHCD

Velma is currently serving as the Interim Deputy Director for Housing at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development where she oversees all the agencies federal and state housing and homeless programs. In her regular role as Associate Director of Administration, she directs the agency’s procurement, human resources, information technology, organizational development, public relations and administrative policy functions. Velma holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Virginia Commonwealth University 

Patricia A. Easley – Owner/Event Planner – Prestige Events LLC
Patricia is the proud owner of Prestige Events, LLC a professional and passionate company that specializing in Event Management and Event Design. She is a SWAM and Micro Business Certified company.  Patricia received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Norfolk State University and her Associates Degree in Hospitality Management from Tidewater Community College.  She spent 11 years working as a Sales Manager for Marriott where she gained her love for the hospitality industry. 

After the session, attendees will:

• Understand why 3^rd party meeting planners are beneficial to agencies & suppliers
• Learn about the services and roles the 3^rd party meeting planner provides to the agencies & supplier

• Understand how to utilize 3^rd party meeting planners to have successful meetings without losing control.

*Please Note, you must be in your seat by 3:15 PM in order to receive contact hours