Local conference and trade show touts Acquisition Excellence
By Daphne Burke, NADEP JAX Public Affairs Specialist, and Glenda Rife, Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Deputy for Small Business

The third annual Acquisition and Logistics Excellence Conference and Trade Show is scheduled for April 24-25, 2002. The site for the conference will again be the University of North Florida Conference Center located in Jacksonville, Fla. This conference is intended to provide attendees with credit hours under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improve Act requirements for continuous learning. Small businesses and prime contractors are large players in the acquisition and logistics processes and will also benefit from this event. With world events as they are today, and especially considering the events since Sept. 11, the theme for this year’s conference is “Acquisition: ‘From Reform to Excellence – Where we’ve been to … Where we are going.”

This two-day training conference and trade show is organized by various agencies from the Department of Defense and the Federal Government. The participating agencies and supporting activities of this event are: U.S. Navy commands (Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Jacksonville; Naval Air Depot; Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Engineering Field Activity Southeast; Department of the Navy Acquisition Reform Office; General Services Administration; Small Business Administration; University of North Florida Small Business Development Center; Chamber of Commerce Procurement Technical Assistance Center; and the Society of Logistics Engineers, Greater Jacksonville Chapter. These agencies/activities have partnered to provide training and networking opportunities for acquisition, logistics, and private industry.

In addition to “Acquisition: ‘From Reform to Excellence …,” the focus will again be the aging workforce dilemma that the Department of Defense (DoD) is facing. In the past several years, DoD has reduced its acquisition workforce by 50 percent. Of those remaining, many will be eligible for retirement in 2005. This will inevitably result in additional loses. The 21st century national security environment will demand much of those involved in carrying out the DoD acquisition mission.

Future acquisition managers will have a different perspective than those of today. They will need a spectrum of managerial and leadership competencies that support executive core qualifications in addition to technical skills. Cross-functional experience and training is of particular importance in obtaining these competencies. Potential resources for obtaining these competencies include recruiting and training new employees, developing current staff, and competitive sourcing. Tomorrow's workforce must be empowered to meet these national security demands. This conferences’ networking opportunities and
seminars are designed to improve acquisition logistics knowledge and possibilities. The conference will also provide opportunities for individuals to learn about intern programs.

Senior DoD management recognizes that people are DoD's greatest asset. The Acquisition and Logistics Excellence Conference and Trade Show will provide tools necessary to meet the challenges of acquisition excellence and allow for sharing of new acquisition strategies and problem solving techniques.

This conference is important because the Government continues to change the way it does business. DoD must meet the challenges of providing materials and service to the warfighter. Quality products must be delivered on time. This is an opportunity for Acquisition and Logistics professionals to receive continuing education in their chosen career field. For small businesses and prime contractors, this is an educational opportunity to bring contracting knowledge up to date, to network, and to broaden business prospects.
The conference registration fee is $80 per attendee. The booth rental fee for businesses wishing to exhibit is $200 for Large Business and $180 for Small Business. The booth rental fee includes one booth with draped table and access to all events for one attendee. Hotel accommodations are available at major hotels located within five miles of the conference site. The airport is approximately 30 to 45 minutes from UNF. Parking is conveniently located at the UNF Conference Center and is free of charge. Reasonable accommodations for Persons with Disabilities are available if requested. Persons with Disabilities requiring accommodation, please see the Registration Form for more information. For a list of available lodging, scheduled seminars, and registration information, please access the UNF website at www.sbdc.unf.edu/ac2002.html or www. jax.fisc.navy.mil. Brochures may be requested via email at [email protected].

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