LAS VEGAS – Roger Tokarz, the director of the Nevada Procurement Outreach Program (POP), will receive the Vision 2000 Models of Excellence Award at Vision 2000: The States and Small Business Conference to be held on December 1 – 2, in Washington, D.C.

Winners of these national awards were selected from hundreds of nominations submitted to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, which is sponsoring the awards program. Vision 2000 showcases outstanding initiatives that advance small business programs and policies.

"It is a honor to present a Vision 2000 Award to so many outstanding local small business initiatives," Chief Counsel for Advocacy Jere W. Glover said. "These award-winning small business programs and leaders are the surest guarantee for small business success in the new millennium."

The Nevada POP is administered by the Nevada Commission on Economic Development. The award that Tokarz will receive on behalf of the POP is the Vision 2000 Models of Excellence Awards for Government Procurement Opportunities. The award honor aggressive goals, programs or other enhancements that encourage or facilitate small business contracting.

The Nevada POP provides Nevada non-gaming and non-tourism firms with the access and tools necessary to find, bid on, and win local, out-of-state and federal contracts. Since the program was established, Nevada’s non-gaming and non-tourism business community has been assisted in receiving more than $265 million on government contracts.

State policy-makers, state and local program directors, non-profit service providers, small business owners, and small business trade association executives will attend this years conference to honor winners in a number of categories including: Leadership in Small Business Issues; Small Business Development; Access to Capital; Government Procurement Opportunities; Regulations that Work for Small Business; Programs that Support Small Technology Businesses; Women’s Business Development; Minority Business Development; Rural Business Development; and Distinguished Programs.

Supporters of the event include the American Franchisee Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Ceridian, ChamberBiz, Fortune Small Business Magazine, International Franchise Association, Microsoft, National Association of Women Business Owners, National Business Association, National Federation of Independent Business, National Small Business United, Onvia.com, Pacific Bell, Small Business Association of Michigan, Small Business Legislative Council, Small Business Technology Coalition, SMC Business Councils and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Vision 2000: The States and Small Business Conference will be held on Dec. 1-2, in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles O. Rossotti will speak at a luncheon on Dec. 1. In addition to the commissioner, Gov. Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.) will give the keynote address at the conference that morning. Gov. Cecil H. Underwood (R-W.V.) will receive an award and address award winners and guests on the second day of the conference.

For more information about the conference and award winners visit the Vision 2000 home page at http://www.sba.gov/advo/vision.html. Inquiries about program content and awards may be directed to Terry Bibbens at 909-303-1363 or David Voight at (202) 205-6888.

The SBA's Office of Advocacy was created by an act of Congress in 1976 to protect, strengthen and effectively represent the nation's small businesses within the federal government. As part of this mandate, the office conducts policy studies and economic research on issues of concern to small business and publishes data on small business characteristics and contributions. For instant access to small business resources, statistics, and research, visit the Office of Advocacy's home page at http://www.sba.gov/advo/.

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