Official Summary: Wednesday, April 23

Wednesday’s National Small Business Week 2008 events began with an emotional Phoenix Award Winners breakfast. 

Entrepreneurs Henry Coaxum of Coaxum Enterprises, Inc. in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Scott Smith of Cellet, LLC in St. Johnsville, New York, were honored for their exceptional contributions to the recovery of their communities after a natural disaster.

The Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contribution to Disaster Recovery by a Volunteer went to Melinda Bygate, who said that when she saw the extent of the damage caused near her home in Summerfield, Florida, she knew that she needed to help.

Mayor Kenneth Boswell of Enterprise Alabama, who received the award for outstanding contribution by a public official, recounted the destruction caused in his town by a tornado – and the way the close-knit community worked together to rebuild.

Stephen Moret, Louisiana Secretary of Economic Development, delivered an engaging keynote address.

After the Phoenix Award Breakfast, the Energy Forum opened with a keynote address from Undersecretary of Energy Bud Albright, who told the crowd that the country faced a “new energy reality.” He outlined crucial solutions, starting with how businesses and consumers need to be smarter about how we use energy. 

“Adopting new technology now means getting an edge on your competition later,” Undersecretary Albright said, noting that it’s a question of when – not if – businesses will shift to new, more energy efficient technology.

Undersecretary Albright’s speech was followed by a panel of experts who addressed the questions of why energy prices are so high, and what can be done about it.

Following the Energy Forum, the National Prime Contractor of the Year and National Sub-Prime Contractor of the year were honored during the Procurement Awards Luncheon.  Winning the Prime Contractor award was Richard Lara of Classic Industries in Dona Ana, New Mexico; the sub-prime winner was Cheryl Sneed of Banneker Industries in Rhode Island.

Outstanding regional prime and sub-prime contractors were also recognized, along with those in government and industry that have shown an excellent commitment to providing opportunities for small businesses.

Immediately following the Procurement Awards, winners traveled to the White House for a reception in the East Room with President Bush.  Small business owners are the “dreamers and doers who really add such richness to our country,” the President said. 

“I love it when people can say, I have an idea, and I am going to apply all my talent and all my effort to see the idea come to fruition,” President Bush told the crowd of entrepreneurs. “It is what made us great in the past, it’s what makes us great today, and what is going to make us great in the future. And I hope you take great pride in the contributions that you’re making to your community, your family and your nation.”

While the winners were at the White House event with the President, the Procurement Forum was underway with a very informative presentation from Elaine Duke, Deputy Undersecretary for Management at the Department of Homeland Security, who has an extensive acquisitions background and spoke about doing business with DHS.  A panel discussion on building partnerships with prime contractors provided the audience with even more insight into federal contracting.

The night ended with the Champion Awards Gala, recognizing more outstanding entrepreneurs and organizations for their achievements on behalf of small businesses.  After dinner, The Hubcaps entertained the well-dressed crowd into the night.