Background

The Hawaii Small Business IT (HSBIT) Hui hosts the annual HSBIT Forum in Honolulu, HI to address the need for a focused information technology conference that enables government agencies, small business IT contractors, community leaders and educational program managers to meet and discuss how to expand and develop business opportunities for working IT professionals, as well as to prepare students and graduates for government IT careers.

Founded in 2003, the annual conference has become an important calendar fixture for Hawaii’s entrepreneurial IT community. The event is designed to bring “Washington to Waikiki”, giving local small business owners and educators an opportunity to meet some of the federal government’s movers and shakers in IT policy and contracting. The Forum and the Hui’s advocacy for development, millions of dollars of contract opportunities have been made available to island businesses.

Previous forums helped introduce Hawaii entrepreneurs to numerous federal small business programs and the decision makers who manage them. The conferences have also featured representatives from several of the federal government’s prime contractors – “integrators” who each year assign billions of dollars in subcontracts to smaller firms and are constantly looking for IT trained professionals for government and non government jobs.

Through these introductions, a number of local firms have established a presence in areas of business that were once considered inaccessible to Hawaii-based enterprises. Engaging with local educators and community leaders has provided opportunities to discuss possible joint efforts. Raising awareness and expectations has been one of the most important outcomes of the HSBIT Forum.