18^th Annual Conference July 22-24, 2010 – Four Seasons Hotel, Houston, TX

1. School Procurement Program:  Our partnership with The Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN) has been formalized.  We will begin processing members into their system next month.  Those who win RFP’s, bids, etc. through this system can directly approach any school system in the nation for contracting without any further competition (similar to a GSA schedule).  This is going to be big!  Anyone who has services or products that are applicable to the needs of a public school system should consider getting into this competition.  For more information contact Chuck at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

2. Rebuilding Haiti:  Things are starting to jump concerning the contracting activity towards the rebuilding of Haiti.  We will be meeting with the State Department and SBA on February 2 and will hopefully piece together the format for information and competition.  Some of you are already assembling your teams and identifying projects – go for it!  In terms of relief for our Haitian brothers and sisters, please give cash to either the Red Cross or UNICEF.  We will be communicating with our Haitian chambers in Florida and Maryland for other means of helping out and will come up with a viable, chamber made process for sending aid.  Stay tuned. 

3. 18^th Annual Convention:  The venue for our 18^th Annual Convention, July 22 – 24, 2010, will be the beautiful 5 Star Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Houston, TX.  We have settled on an attractive rate starting at just $129.00 per night.  You will be able to register and book hotel accommodations beginning in February. (here) 

4. Press Conference January 27:  At 10:00AM in the Zenger Room at the National Press Club, 529 14^th St. NW, Washington, DC the NBCC will unveil its 2010 program.  The Legacy Project will provide valuable technical assistance, leadership, Worldwide Business Directory, infrastructure and support to our affiliated chapters and enhance services to our direct members.  NBCC Chair Sherrie Gilchrist along with our newly formed Legacy Project Committee will participate in this historical event.  You are all invited and may RSVP This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We will be soaring to new heights and thank our sponsors for making this enormous project possible.

5.  Thank You AT&T:  We want to thank our corporate partner AT&T for sponsoring a fabulous tour through their Global Network Operations Center (GNOC) in Bedminster, NJ.  We now understand how corporations like this keep this nation in front of the rest of the world in technology innovation which provides better and more affordable methods of doing business.  Together we look forward to a brighter and better future for us all.