News

Requirements Symposium kicks off Nov. 16

  • Published
  • By Wayne Crenshaw
  • 78 ABW/PA
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Hundreds of business representatives from around the world will be in Perry soon for a symposium about Robins' 'future needs.'

The event, the 8th Annual Requirements Symposium, Nov. 16-18, is expected to bring nearly 1,000 people to the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter.

Sponsored by the Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce, the symposium is conducted each year to give industry a head start on helping the base. Robins officials give detailed explanations on an array of its anticipated needs so businesses can be prepared when it comes time to compete for contracts.

"It (the symposium) provides communications between government and industry, and gives industry insight so they will be further along," said Chuck Pollard, program manager in the Enterprise Acquisition Division.

The event has grown steadily each year, setting a record in 2009 with more than 900 participants, including 561 attendees from more than 300 companies.

This year, the event will kick off Nov. 16 with a golf tournament at Pine Oaks Golf Course, followed by vendor exhibits and a social at the Museum of Aviation.

The symposium itself will begin Nov. 17, with featured speaker Deryl Israel, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center executive director. Briefings - including one by Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command, which is participating in the symposium for the first time - and breakout sessions will follow.

Also, for the first time since 2008, the symposium will include "white paper" briefings. In white paper briefings, Robins engineers invite companies to propose solutions to problems the engineers are experiencing. The engineers can then use the proposals to request funds to fix the problems.

The symposium is financed by the chamber through fees charged to business attendees; however, the event is free for all Department of Defense employees.

For more symposium information, visit www.wrcoc-aic.org and click the Requirements Symposium link.