GovConnects, entering its third year of growth, continues to develop its member offerings to meet the mission of advocating, educating and connecting members of the unique regional federal contracting community to critical resources and potential business growth opportunities.

Using a variety of tools and platforms, the GovConnects’ Advisory Council serves as a resource of critical information essential to successfully operating in the regional federal government contracting industry. These include hosting targeted networking events for the community, inviting government customers to engage in business breakfasts to share their view of the marketplace, and serving on educational panels to engage participants in discussions of current topics and challenges to business growth in challenging times.

GovConnects’ members range in areas of specialty from cyber to health information technology, intelligence, engineering services, management consulting services, recruiting and proposal preparation.

Over the past year, GovConnects has provided educational support to more than 300 federal contractors, engaged more than 500 different businesses in networking efforts and provided volunteer services, on the part of its Advisory Council members, to startup businesses seeking guidance through the First Fridays mentoring program on everything from capture and proposal to growth strategy.

The continuing education series provides access to specialists in accounting, legal, capture, business development, human resources and systems, among other topics unique to the industry. A recent workshop entitled, “DeMystifying the DCAA and DCAA Audits” was presented to a sold-out crowd of more than 45 attendees.

GovConnects’ quarterly BizBreakfasts have included topics such as Veteran-Owned Businesses, Aberdeen Business Opportunities, and the Growth of Fort Meade. The C-level networking events and a CFO Roundtable are a few of the new programs that will continue in 2015, with the goal of delivering quality and value and engaging members in unique ways that benefit their businesses and give them a unique opportunity to connect with peers, participate in focused networking opportunities and gain valuable access to government customer needs and requirements.

GovConnects’ committees are open to members and include legislative issues, education, mentoring and the Aberdeen Task Force.

For more information on how to join GovConnects, participate in programming or become a sponsor or exhibitor at a future program or conference, visit the web site www.GovConnects.com or e-mail Maureen Thomas, executive director of GovConnects, at [email protected].