The Mentor Protégé Summit will include One-to-One Networking on March 28-29. During these segments, large prime vendors, small businesses, DoD agencies, and industry partners will engage in pre-scheduled, speed networking meetings to cultivate relationships that could potentially lead to a partnership for the DoD Mentor Protégé Program. Protégés/potential Protégés can request 10-minute meetings with a curated list of mentors/potential Mentors, DoD agencies, and industry partners.
One-to-One Networking is now open for scheduling. Participants can set up their networking profile and manage meeting appointments on Eventdex’s matchmaking portal here: https://match.eventdex.com/
The portal will close to scheduling at 11:59 pm on Friday, March 17th. Participants can access the portal after March 17th, but appointments can not be requested. Participants will receive their final schedule on Monday, March 20th. There will be no onsite appointment setting.

View the List of Confirmed Networking Mentors & Hosts

(click to view in-browser)

ONE-TO-ONE NETWORKING DOS AND DON’TS

 

We encourage you to prepare for your One-to-One meetings in advance by conducting research and practicing your elevator speech. To help you prepare, check out this list of OTON Networking Best Practices. Review networking Do’s and Don’ts to maximize your meetings.

Networking Do’s

  • Prepare a good online profile and capability statement that Highlights your Company’s qualifications lists, past performance, NAICS codes, and certifications.
  • Do your homework! Research the agencies and primes, visit their websites, review their forecast, etc. Become familiar with them.
  • Prepare a 45-second introduction
  • Prepare talking points and a list of questions
  • Remember, you are there to form relationships, not to receive a contract or order
  • Be brief and succinct in describing your products and services and unique niches, track record and successes.
  • Speak to your past performance and experience, not small business certifications
  • Bring copies of Capability Statement and business cards
  • Be relaxed and confident
  • Be on time and respectful of the tight meeting schedule. Begin and ends your meetings promptly.

 

Networking Don’ts

  • Challenge the agency’s practices or acquisition practices/decisions
  • Inquire about active solicitations
  • Inquire about past procurements as it relates to your Company
  • Speak negatively about other government agencies, Companies, or procurement professionals
  • Compare agencies acquisition strategies, performance and/or small business contract awards. Each agency is different.
  • Over share to build a rapport nor seek empathy
  • Try to extend your meeting past your scheduled time. Be respectful of others

 

Schedule

  • Profile Set up – February 13 – March 3
  • Portal opens to Scheduling: February 21
  • Portal closes to Scheduling: March 17 at 11:59 pm

 

One-to-One Networking Sessions during MPS23

  • Tuesday, March 28 from 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm ET
  • Wednesday, March 29 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET
 

QUESTIONS

One-to-One Networking questions should be directed to Mya Hyman at mya@davismanagementgroup.com

For technical support and assistance, contact Eventdex at support@eventdex.com