Celebrate National APEX Accelerator Day with in-person, virtual training events
By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Oct. 2, 2023
Fast Facts:
- National APEX Day is Oct. 12
- Arkansas APEX Accelerator hosting training Oct. 10, 11 and 12
- APEX Accelerators help businesses contract with the federal, state and local government
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(Newsrooms: with graphic, file photo of Melanie Berman)
LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas APEX Accelerator program, which provides training and technical assistance to help businesses contract with the government, will host three events in October to celebrate National APEX Accelerator Day.
Arkansas APEX Accelerator, formerly known as Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center, is a part of the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
APEX Accelerators around the country will celebrate National APEX Accelerator Day on Oct. 12, and Arkansas APEX Accelerator will host three training events during the week for business owners.
On Oct. 10, Arkansas APEX Accelerator will host an in-person training from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Little Rock State Office at 2301 S. University Avenue. This class will cover basic requirements that must be met before businesses can compete on government contracts, and a meet and greet with APEX team members will follow the class. There is no cost to attend. Register at center-gateway.com/2/gateway/013000/events/71462.
“The U.S. government is the largest customer in the world,” said Melanie Berman, extension program director of the Arkansas APEX Accelerator. “It buys all types of products and services in both large and small quantities, and it’s required by law to consider buying from small businesses. The process of requesting proposals, evaluating bids and awarding government contracts should take place on a level playing field.”
On Oct. 11, Arkansas APEX Accelerator will host an in-person training from 10:30 a.m.-noon. at the Newport Economic Development Commission at 201 Hazel Street. This class will cover the System for Awards Management process known as SAM, which is the vendor registration process for the U.S. government. There is no cost to attend. Register at center-gateway.com/2/gateway/013000/events/71821.
Arkansas APEX Accelerator will also host a virtual training on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., with in-person watch parties in Jonesboro and Bentonville. Jaylon Darden, a cybersecurity analyst with the Forge Institute, will lead the course and provide cybersecurity tips for entrepreneurs. The course will cover effective data protection strategies, cybersecurity best practices, navigating legal and regulatory requirements and more. There is no cost to attend, and participants can register at center-gateway.com/2/gateway/013000/events/71265.
“In today’s interconnected digital landscape, owning a business demands more than just a great idea and a solid business plan — it requires a comprehensive understanding of cyber security,” Berman said. “This dynamic and essential course is designed to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge and strategies needed to operate a business securely.”
For more information about these courses or Arkansas APEX Accelerator, contact Berman at msberman@uada.edu or 501-671-2361.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact:
Rebekah Hall
rkhall@uada.edu
@RKHall_
501-671-2061