RELEASE DATE: MAY 9, 2011

CONTACT: PATRICIA H. WESSON (615) 838‐8306

Women-owned small businesses and Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Businesses can begin taking steps to participate in a new federal contracting program announced earlier this year by the U. S. Small Business Administration. SBA Tennessee District Director Walter N. Perry III will join Contracts For Women, Inc. to discuss eligibility requirements, steps required for participation in the program, certification requirements, and other information necessary to prepare women business owners for these upcoming opportunities. The new Women-Owned Small Business

Federal Contract Program will be fully implemented over the next several months, with the first contracts expected to be awarded by the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011.

The conference will be held May 24, 2011, at the Sheraton Music City Hotel, 777 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214 at 5:30 p.m.

For registration information contact: Patricia H. Wesson (615) 838-8306 or register at www.ContractsforWomen.com.