Virginia Department of Transportation hosts 2015 DBE Training Symposium

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Advisory Committee hosted the 2015 Virginia DBE Transportation Training Symposium on Dec. 9-10 to offer firms a chance to increase their awareness of transportation trends and contracting opportunities.

An estimated 250 guests attended the two-day event, which was held in Williamsburg. More than 100 organizations participated in the symposium, including government agencies, DBE firms, consultants and contractors.

“We are proud to assist the Transportation DBE Advisory Committee in facilitating growth and business opportunities for DBE firms in Virginia through this event,” VDOT Commissioner Charlie Kilpatrick said. “These businesses play an important role in transportation projects across the commonwealth and are at the heart of our mission to Keep Virginia Moving.”

The symposium also included an awards event honoring outstanding contractors, suppliers, consultants and trailblazers. Several of the 2015 honorees include Sandra’s Marking Co. Inc. as "DBE Trailblazer of the Year," CLS Trucking Inc. as "Outstanding DBE Supplier of the Year," D.T. Read Steel Co. Inc. as "Outstanding DBE Contractor of the Year" and E.V. Williams Inc. as "Prime Contractor of the Year."

The event was created to offer informative workshops and provide networking opportunities that lead to future highway projects.