Sharing the Wealth Technology Conference 2009

Posted by on August 3, 2009

Sharing the Wealth Technology Conference 2009

PENNSYLVANIA MINORITY TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
September 9-10 2009: Save the Date

Minority-owned technology businesses in Pennsylvania will have the opportunity to become qualified vendors of technology services with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through participation in the “Sharing the Wealth Technology Conference,” September 9-10 in Harrisburg.  Convened by the Sharing the Wealth Technology Consortium, the two-day conference is designed to educate and empower businesses owned by people of color to state technology procurement opportunities and the process for meaningful inclusion in contracts.

Specifically, the conference will provide participants with step-by- step instructions on being qualified by the Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) and certified by the Department of General Services’ Minority Business Enterprise Program, which are both necessary before businesses can be awarded contracts on state technology initiatives.

In addition to information technology, the conference will explore contracting opportunities in enviro-technology, nano-technology, agri-technology and biotechnology.

The conference will provide an opportunity to register with OIT and DGS on-line.  Participants also will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with key state agencies that have significant budgets for procuring technology services and prime contractors participating in state tech initiatives.

Space is limited. For registration information go to the conference website at http://www.wealthtechconference.com.

As of August 25, 2009:

The “Sharing the Wealth Technology Conference,” scheduled for September 9-10 in Harrisburg has been postponed due to the budget impasse.  Convened by the Sharing the Wealth Technology Consortium, State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, Honorary Chair, the two-day contract opportunities conference was to provide technology businesses owned by people of color and women with the opportunity to become qualified vendors of technology services with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

However, after meeting with legislative advisors, we were informed that the state budget impasse is expected to continue into September.  Conference participants were to meet one-on-one with key state agencies that have significant budgets for procuring technology services and prime contractors participating in state technology initiatives. Neither state agencies nor prime contractors would be able to discuss contract opportunities for 2010 without a 2010 budget.

Funds presently designated for contracts may be decreased or eliminated in the final budget.  The consortium will reschedule the conference for later this year after the passage of the state budget.  We will keep you informed on the planning and rescheduling of the conference.