Tech and Communications Diversity Opportunity Symposium and Virtual Fair
The Digital Empowerment and Inclusion Working Group of the FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE), ACDDE member Internet Association, and the FCC’s Media Bureau are co-sponsoring this event. FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will welcome the Symposium participants. The Symposium and Virtual Fair are online only. Prior registration is required.
This event will provide information, resources, and support to diverse communications businesses (DCBs), including those focused on legacy communications industries (e.g., radio, television, telecommunications, cable, and satellite), and those engaged in technology-oriented industries seeking business opportunities as vendors, suppliers, or partners with tech and communications companies or government agencies. DCBs include small businesses, minority- and ethnic-owned, women-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ-owned, and disabled-owned businesses.
The Symposium will include two informative panels from 12 noon – 3:45 pm (EDT). The first panel, Your Tax Dollars at Work: Government Programs and Initiatives, will feature a discussion with representatives from federal, state, and local government agencies on financing and procurement opportunities and trends, highlighting diversity requirements and standards; training, education, and consulting opportunities; and mentoring, incubation, and apprenticeship programs. The second panel, For We Have Promises to Keep: Private Sector Programs and Initiatives, will showcase representatives from private sector companies and organizations that will also discuss procurement opportunities and trends, highlighting diversity requirements and standards, as well as Tier II efforts and opportunities; training, education, and consulting opportunities; mentoring, incubation, and apprenticeship programs; new and updated funding sources; and discounted or special services and plans for DCBs.
The final component of the program, a Virtual Fair from 4:00 pm to 6:45 pm, will feature one-on-one confidential consultations during which small and diverse communications business owners will receive individualized advice on supplier and vendor strategies (Tier I and Tier II); financial support for small and diverse communications businesses; training, educational or consulting programs/initiatives; discounted or special services and products for DCBs; and mentoring, incubation or apprenticeship programs/initiatives. The Virtual Fair is open to DCB owners, managers, and employees.
See the Public Notice for a list of the companies, organizations and government agencies scheduled to participate in the Virtual Fair, and for instructions on how to register and join this online event.
Related Materials
- Symposium Video Recording (Access Passcode: 5Ux=XvCd)
- Panelitst Biographies and Photos
- Agenda
- Event Announcement, Virtual Fair Participants, and Registration Instructions
- ACDDE Home Page
Materials from Symposium Participants
- D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development
- Tech Together: Tech Together is a values-led partnership between DC government, non-profit community, academia and industry working together to bridge the digital divide through access, training and opportunity.
- DC Office of the Chief Technology Officer: The Office of the Chief Technology Office is made up of many departments to develop, implement, and maintain the District’s IT and telecommunications infrastructure; develop and implement major citywide applications; establish and oversee IT enterprise architecture and website standards for the District; and advise District agencies on technology solutions to improve services to businesses, residents and visitors in all areas of District government.
- Department of Small and Local Business Development - DC Procurement Technical Assistance Center: DC PTAC offers personalized business counseling and competitive insights for navigating the government contracting process successfully. If you already have experience working on government contracts and are looking for help to secure other contracts, we are available to help. At the DC PTAC, businesses get help with strategies to pursue state, local and federal government contracts.
- DC Community Anchor Partnership (DCAP): DC Community Anchor Partnership is a collaborative of prominent institutions committed to leveraging their operations to advance equitable economic development in the District of Columbia. An initiative of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED), in partnership with the Office of the DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), DCAP’s educational and medical anchor institution members are first focused on improving their community economic impact by using their procurement power to support the growth of DC minority-owned business enterprises (MBEs).
- Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development – Business Development & Strategy: The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development offers information and services to businesses seeking to start, relocate or expand a business within the District of Columbia. We also design and facilitate catalytic programs with stakeholder organizations to improve the business climate in the District. Our Business Development Team is here to connect you to financial incentives and other resources, help you identify space for your business, attract and retain key employees, and identify strategic alliance partners.
- Minority Business Development Agency
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration
- Northern Virginia Technology Council
- Small Business Administration
- Verizon