Keeping the Promise 2014

Keeping the Promise 2014

This year’s “Keeping the Promise” (KTP) marks the 20^th anniversary of the California Disabled Veteran Business Alliance.  The “Keeping the Promise” event honors President Abraham Lincoln’s thoughts that he expressed in his inaugural address a month before the Civil War ended.  His promise was
“to care for him who shall have borne the battle”.  The Alliance is working to keep this promise by assisting disabled veterans transition back into the civilian world, specifically through entrepreneurship.  The KTP event is focused on bringing together Corporate Sponsors and California Certified Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses while providing an interactive environment for networking and business matchmaking.

The Disabled Veteran Business Alliance formed in 1994 following the establishment of the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) program by the California legislature in 1989.

The California DVBE program set a 3% goal for DVBE participation in state contracts for goods and services. It also required eligible DVBEs to obtain certification of their capabilities by the state’s Department of General Services before they could participate in the program. Certified DVBEs receive first consideration for the mandated 3% of the state’s overall annual contract dollars.

This year’s Keeping the Promise Expo and Matchmaking Event took place at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, California, May 12th and 13th.  Veterans from every branch of service who have served in and/or during a variety of wars and conflicts attended the event and approximately 100 young men and women took were sworn into the 5 branches of the US military during the Gala Dinner, May 12^th, an emotional event for everyone in attendance.

The DVBA is focused on continuing to create more opportunities for disabled veterans.  They are available to help and continue to encourage disabled veterans to engage in entrepreneurship.  As medical advances are increasing survival rates for veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, it is a crucial part of the DVBA’s promise that they continue to help these veterans transition successfully into the civilian life.

The lead corporate sponsors for this year’s Keeping the Promise include corporate sponsorship from Union Bank, Southern California Edison, AT&T, McKesson Corporation and Lockheed Martin.