Annual NASA-Sponsored Business Expo Set for Oct. 20

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Business leaders interested in learning more about government contracting and what local and national vendors have to offer should attend the “Business Opportunities Expo 2009” on Oct. 20. The expo will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Cruise Terminal 3 at Port Canaveral, Fla. Admission is free and open to the public.

The annual trade show, sponsored by the NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Prime Contractor Board, 45th Space Wing and Canaveral Port Authority, is in its 20th year. It will feature more than 175 business and government exhibitors from throughout the nation and across Brevard County.

Exhibitors will include vendors from a variety of product and service areas, such as computer technology, engineering services, communication equipment and services, and construction and safety products, to name a few. Representatives from the 45th Space Wing, Kennedy prime contractors, NASA and many more agencies and organizations will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

During the opening ceremonies, welcoming remarks will be provided by a representative from U.S. Congressman Tom Posey’s office and U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas’s office.

Also speaking will be NASA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Small Business Programs Glenn Delgado; Kennedy’s Associate Director Mike Wetmore; Kennedy’s procurement officer Dudley R. Cannon Jr.; Col. Andre L. Lovett, vice commander, 45th Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base; and Tom Goodson, commissioner, Canaveral Port Authority. Larry Third, Kennedy small business specialist, will recognize the contractor-of-the-year award winners.

NASA’s Central Industry Assistance Office provides support to small businesses that want to do business at Kennedy. This office works with the NASA Kennedy Prime Contractor Board, which consists of many of the center’s prime contractors to help small businesses learn how to navigate in the world of government contracting. By co-sponsoring the expo, the Board helps provide a one-stop environment for buyers and sellers.

For more information, please visit the expo Web site at: http://expo.ksc.nasa.gov

For more information about Kennedy Space Center, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy