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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alan Fogg,
Director of Communications
afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600
FCEDA's VentureQuest Conference Gets Backing of Governor Gilmore
Conference to target emerging, minority technology community
Fairfax County, Virginia, January 10, 2001 — Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore announced today the Commonwealth of Virginia will be a major sponsor in VentureQuest 2001, a conference set for July 11-13 in Fairfax County aimed at celebrating and advancing minority-owned technology firms and entrepreneurs. These include businesses owned by African Americans, Asian Americans, Indian Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans.
VentureQuest is a project of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA).
"My Administration is leading the way to make the Digital Dominion a reality for each and every Virginian. VentureQuest 2001 promotes opportunities for technology entrepreneurs and companies of diverse backgrounds throughout the Commonwealth," Gov. Gilmore said. "I urge the technology and finance communities to work with us in making the event a success."
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry DuVal, Secretary of Technology Don Upson, and Allegra McCullough, Director of the Department of Minority Business Enterprise, will coordinate the state's involvement with the conference.
"The Economic Development Authority is proud to participate with the Commonwealth once again on an important project like this," said Dr. Gerald L. Gordon, president of the FCEDA. "Virginia and Fairfax County are the homes of opportunity for all people who have a good business plan."
VentureQuest 2001 will bring together entrepreneurs, leaders of the digital economy, the venture capital community and financial institutions.
The program is designed to increase access of the fast-growing emerging entrepreneurs to the region's financial community, identify potential investment opportunities (including selected company presentations to venture capitalists and debt-financing sources), and provide networking opportunities for new partnerships and alliances. The event will also showcase the success of emerging entrepreneurs and companies in the Fairfax County, Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland and Washington, D.C., region. VentureQuest is working with business and government leaders to ensure strong participation throughout the Virginia/Maryland/Washington, D.C. region.
VentureQuest 2001 is being chaired by Jim Dyke, a partner in the law firm of McGuireWoods LLP in McLean. Dyke also is the former chairman of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and a former Virginia Secretary of Education.
In addition to the FCEDA and the Commonwealth, other VentureQuest 2001 sponsors to date include the Greater Washington Initiative and its member organizations in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., KPMG, McGuireWoods LLP, AOL, Deloitte & Touche, United Bank and Maden Tech. VentureQuest is seeking additional sponsors.
VentureQuest 2001 will be held at the Westfields Marriott Conference Center in Chantilly, Virginia. For more information, call 703-790-0304.
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