(Washington, DC) — Two hundred Washington, DC construction and development business owners and professionals attended yesterday’s 2009 Washington Business Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The Business Summit, whose theme was, “Guiding Your Business Through Tough Economic Times,” was presented by the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) and the Washington Development Industry Council (WDIC).

Attendees were greeted by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Councilmember Kwame Brown, Lee A. Smith III, Interim Director of DSLBD, and Chrystal Stowe of the WDIC, and enjoyed a lunchtime address about the outlook for economic development in DC by Neil Albert, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. They also engaged in workshops including: Opportunities in the District of Columbia; Opportunities in the Federal Government; Opportunities in the Washington Metro Area; New Approaches to Accessing Capital; The District Workforce; CBE Regulations, Legislation, and Development Agreements; and Green Technology.

DSLBD is committed to providing learning and networking opportunities such as the 2009 Washington Business Summit during both good and tough economic times. The agency works to foster economic growth and the development of District-based business enterprises through programs and opportunities, agency and public/private contract compliance, advocacy, and supportive legislation.

For more information, please contact the Department of Small and Local Business Development at (202) 727-3900.