The DoD Regional Councils for Small Business Education and Advocacy are a nationwide network of small business specialists organized to promote national small business programs to include minority and disadvantaged small business concerns and minority universities and institutions.
Additional objectives include promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences and general information among small business specialists and the contracting community; developing closer relationships and better communication among government entities and the small business community; and staying abreast of statutes, policies, regulations, directives, trends and technology affecting the small business program.
There are eight councils in all: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, District of Columbia, Southeastern, North Central, South Central, Pacific Northwest, and Western. They are sponsored by the DoD Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (SADBU), but are governed by individual by-laws. Membership is open to small business advocates from the DoD and civilian agencies. The DoD Office of SADBU is an active participant and advisor to each Council; however, each Council establishes its own committee structure, meeting schedules and agendas.
Non-voting membership is extended to personnel representing small business interests such as Small Business Development Centers and Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. Some Councils invite the Small Business Liaison Officers representing prime contractors in an effort to promote small business subcontracting.
These councils offer small businesses a chance to "rub shoulders" with government and large contractors that may lead to contract opportunities.
You can visit the SADBU web site to get more information on the councils and a schedule of their various events.