MONEY for MOBILITY – HELPING YOUR TRANSPORTATION AGENCY FUND AND MANAGE PROJECTS – AND MAYBE YOUR NEXT CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2010 – WELCOME RECEPTION

6 p.m. – 9 p.m., HILTON NORFOLK AIRPORT

THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2010 –HILTON NORFOLK AIRPORT

7:45a – 8:15a – Registration/Continental Breakfast

8:15a – 8:30a – Official Welcome from COMTO-HR President

8:30A – 10:30A – PLENARY SESSION #1 – Following the Money:  A Case Study of Norfolk Light Rail

                                The first trains of The Tide, Norfolk’s Light Rail System, are scheduled to roll in May

2011.  It took years of planning and creative financing to make this mode of transportation available, and it was not easy.  Cost overruns, missed deadlines and community concerns were challenges to overcome.  Our panelists will walk us through the process and share lessons learned about the transportation funding process as other jurisdictions consider new modes of transportation as part of their future.

Guests:  Aubrey Layne, Commonwealth Transportation Board, Hampton Roads Representative

                 Philip Shucet, President and CEO, Hampton Roads Transit

                Reid Greenmun, Transportation Chairman, VB Taxpayers Alliance

                Moderator: Delceno Miles, President/CEO, The Miles Agency

10:30a – 10:45a – Break

10:45A – 12:15P – PLENARY SESSION #2 – Working It!:  DBE Success Stories

                                  You’ve researched the market, developed your business plan, applied for and received

                                  your DBE certification – so what else do you need to run a successful business?  Our

                                  panelists all own highly successful businesses – and in this session they will share their

                                secrets to success!

Guests:   Ken Weeden, President, Ken Weeden and Associates, Inc.

                  Gail Bassette, President/CEO, TCE Incorporated

                  Charlene Reynolds, Founder/CEO, Creative Insurance Concepts, Inc.

                Moderator:  Karen Bailey, CEO, The Resource King International, LLC

12:15P – 12:30P – Break

12:30P – 2:00P – LUNCH  -

Guest Speaker:  Virginia Commonwealth Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton

Mistress of Ceremonies:   Louisa Strayhorn, President, LSA Consulting LLC

2:00P – 4:45P – 3 Workshops that run concurrently – participants will switch sessions every 45 minutes with a 15 minute break between:

WORKSHOPS-

Ø  Workshop #1 – Resources and Opportunities for DBEs – How to Market Your Business –

Befuddled about social media?  Frustrated with the cost of communication? Want to learn best practices in marketing your business?  This is the workshop for you to find out the latest communications /marketing techniques to set your business apart from the rest. 

Guests:  Benita Adams, CEO, B. Adams Communications

                                R.T. Swindell, President, R.T. Consulting and Training, Inc.

Tara Walker, Purchasing Agent/Accounting Systems Manager, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission

Darren Brown, Procurement Analyst, Federal Highway Administration

Moderator:  Barbara Hamm Lee, Chief Community Engagement Officer, WHRO

Ø  Workshop #2 – How to Get the Money – Advice on Securing Funding

You have the idea; you have the workforce available and even have the market for your product – but you need funding.  Where do you turn?  What should you consider?  What are some pitfalls to avoid?  This workshop provides specific, hands-on advice to navigate the financial system.

Guests: Thelma Drake, Director, VA Dept. Rail and Public Transportation

 James Taylor, VHCDE-MBE Capital Call

Moderator:  Tina Lea, Sales Associate, State Farm Insurance

Ø  Workshop #3 – The Next Step – Economic Development Surrounding Transportation Initiatives

Multi-modal transportation initiatives bring more than ease of travel for passengers – there are also opportunities for economic development.  What are the types of businesses that surround transportation hubs?  What opportunities are and will be available in the Hampton Roads area?  Find out the latest in planning and economic development from the people who bring business to Hampton Roads every day.  

Guests: Warren Harris, Director, Economic Development, Virginia Beach

Steven Wright, Director, Economic Development, Chesapeake

Moderator:  Tammy Owens, SWaM Business Development Manager, City of Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development

·         2:00 – 2:45 – Workshops 1-3

·         2:45 – 3:00 – Participants move to next session

·         3:00 – 3:45 – Workshops 1-3

·         3:45 – 4:00 – Participants move to next session

·         4:00 – 4:45 – Workshops 1-3

4:45P – 5:00P – Closing Remarks from COMTO-HR President

6:00 – 8:00 – Closing Reception – Virginia Beach Convention Center – In partnership with All Systems Go Technology Conference opening reception