The U.S. military plans for eleven billion dollars ($11 billion) in new military and commercial construction, maintenance and service projects for the next five years. Guam Post of the Society of American Engineers (S.A.M.E.) is organizing the Guam Industry Forum 2022 for November 14 to 16 to give attendees opportunities to learn about military projects.
The event, according to information from S.A.M.E, will bring “networking and business opportunities for contractors and service providers from throughout Asia, the U.S., Guam, and Micronesia to network, collaborate and avail of opportunities to support a historic increase in America’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region.”
“I highly encourage the Palauan contractors, if possible, to go to the big conference in Guam. Not only will they learn about what the US Department of Defense is doing and how they might be able to bid on some stuff, I believe they’re going to make some great connections with some other contractors that might be able to help them out,” Rear Admiral Benjamin Nicholson, the Joint Region Marianas commander and INDOPACOM’s senior military for the Republic of Palau, said after the JCM meeting in Palau last week.
The more significant benefit of the conference, noted Rear Admiral Nicholson was the networking and making connections with larger contractors or service providers that could lead to future subcontracts and other business opportunities for smaller local contractors.
“I think there’s a lot of synergy there that can be gained by participating in these events,” added Nicholson.
For many small or medium size contractors that feel uncertain about bidding for the U.S. military projects, Nicholson explained that there would be companies at this event that provide services to help companies “navigate the process.”
“There are some entities there that can help some of the contractors navigate. It can be a little overwhelming for a small contractor for the first time to do some sort of business with the US Department of Defense,” Rear Admiral Nicholson said, adding that once the company navigates the process, it becomes much easier for them.
“This year’s event places an even bigger focus on networking with decision-makers in the U.S. Military and the Government of Guam who will manage the design, construction, and service contracts. We’ve expanded GIF22 to include information about development and construction opportunities in the region – Guam, the CNMI, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Professionals from Asia, the U.S., Guam, and Micronesia will converge in Guam to learn how they can be part of this historic Indo-Pacific expansion,” stated Charles B. Hazzard III, President of the Guam Post of the Society of American Military Engineers, organizers of the Guam Industry Forum.
The $11 billion of the U.S military projects planned for Guam, CNMI, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the region, represent a portion of the $27 billion Pacific Deterrence Initiative aimed at bolstering U.S. military capabilities across the Pacific region to deter China’s growing military might.
For interested contractors, S.A.M.E. Guam Post launched an app that can help make the most of the forum. “Attendees can download the WHOVA app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and begin establishing their profile, planning their sessions, and engaging with fellow attendees. The app provides excellent networking opportunities for attendees, speakers, and exhibitors well before the event begins. Throughout the forum, sponsored networking breaks, luncheons, and cocktail events are included. The event’s page on the WHOVA app provides detailed information about the three-day event.
Registration is ongoing and can be completed online at guamindustryforum.com/register.