Press Release_January 21, 2011

Tennessee Veteran’s Business Association ( TVBA)

Holds Vendor Day and Job Fair January 25th

Jan. 21, 2011

Knoxville, Tenn. – Tennessee veterans who own or want to form their own businesses will have their day in the spotlight Jan. 25.

The Tennessee Veteran’s Business Association (TVBA), a new network formed to help vets network and identify business opportunities, will hold a Veteran Owned Business Vendor Day and Veteran Preferred Job Fair on Tuesday, January 25th in Knoxville at Rothchild’s Conference Center at 8807 Kingston Pike in West Knoxville. Doors open at 8 a.m. for networking, with the job fair beginning at 10 a.m. There is no admission charge. The event concludes at 4 p.m.

Details and registration are available at the Tennessee Veteran’s Business Association website, www.jointvba.org.

The night before, TVBA is holding an opening reception with keynote speakers at 5 p.m. That event will also take place at Rothchild’s.

“The response to this event has been overwhelming,” said TVBA president Jonathan Williams, who said the group goal is to “give vets a chance to become valuable contributors to the free market, democratic system they have defended.”

Williams said patriotism and gratitude toward veterans explain the initial attraction, but “what keeps folks interested is the value of the services and products our members provide.”

Government set asides for veteran-owned businesses are not always understood, Williams said.

“We hope to clarify the rules,” he said.

Sponsors for TVBA’s Jan. 25 event include the Knoxville Chamber Partners, EngerX LLC, Xcel Engineering, Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces, Merle FM, The Veteran Next Door Radio Program, VR Habilis, Harrison Construction, ES&H Inc, LB Services, Pro Forms, Inc., Power Equipment Company, High Resolutions Inc., Diverse Green and Regions Bank.

Organizations registered so far include Covenant Health, B&W Y-12, Oak Ridge National Lab, University of Tennessee, Roane State, Pellissippi State, Lincoln Memorial University, University of Phoenix, Volunteers of America, Air Force Sergeants Association and TN Veterans Memorial Association.

“The Jan. 25th Vendor and Job Fair has something for the entire business community — whether you have a veteran-owned business or might want to partner with one,” Williams said.

For more information about the Tennessee Veterans Business Association and to register for the event, visit jointvba.org or contact Williams at 865/332-4476 or info@jointvba.org.