2025 National Small Business Conference

Government Contracts attorneys Eric Crusius, Robert Tompkins, Kelsey Hayes and Hillary Freund will participate in the National 8(a) Association's 2025 National Small Business Conference, taking place in New Orleans. Considered the premier government contracting conference for small businesses, the two-day event offers educational sessions, contract matchmaking and networking opportunities, and resource sharing for all types of organizations, including Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs), Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs); it also features among the attendees federal agencies and large business prime contractors.

On the first day of the event, Mr. Tompkins, Ms. Hayes and Ms. Freund will lead a training geared toward Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs). They will provide insights on what leaders need to know about special considerations for these groups in the federal procurement process, as well as answer questions about various U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs and awards.

Mr. Tompkins will additionally present on the second day of the event about affiliation and how it can affect size and SBA program status. He will cover the basics of affiliation, along with topics including joint ventures (JVs) and SBA exemptions to affiliation for JVs, relevant Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) cases and the ostensible subcontractor rule.

Finally, Mr. Crusius will also speak on day two in a session focused on Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance for small businesses. He will outline CMMC requirements for 8(a) organizations and other small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the differences among certification levels, the certification assessment process and the potential economic value of CMMC for SMBs.

Session Times and Topics

Advance Executive Training for ANCs, Tribes & NHOs
February 11, 2025 | 1:00 – 5:15 p.m.
Speakers: Robert Tompkins, Kelsey Hayes, Hillary Freund

CMMC: The Small Business Guide to Navigating Compliance
February 12, 2025 | 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Speaker: Eric Crusius

Understanding Affiliation
February 12, 2025 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Speaker: Robert Tompkins