DALLAS (USTCNS) --- Quality performance should be a critical goal for all small business entrepreneurs.

"Your reputation is at stake," said Tracey Pinson, Director, Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office of the Secretary of the Army.

Pinson was one of the key speakers at the Military Traffic Management Command Small Business Conference here April 9.

"You better be able to do it," said Pinson. "Past performance is a key discriminator."

The small business conference is a new initiative this year to the MTMC Training Symposium held April 10-13, at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel, in Dallas.

Participants said they appreciated the opportunity to participate in the small business information session as a part of the training symposium.

"I came because I'm a large contractor," said Peggy Wilken, of Stevens Worldwide Van Lines, Saginaw, Mich.

"I want to make sure I'm plugging into the small business subcontracting opportunities."

Stevens is a personal property mover that is "sandwiched" between huge van lines and small businesses, she said.

"I can provide my agency family with information about contracting opportunities directly available to them.

The session participants included several large shipping firms who use small businesses as part of their work with MTMC.

"The more we can learn about small business the better it will be," said Tony Ryan, Vice President & General Manager, American Roll-on/Roll-off Carriers.

Ryan's comments were echoed by Ans Kristbergs of Farrell Service of P&O Nedloyd.

"This has been very informative," said Kristbergs. "We are finding out what we need to know."

The conference drew several employees of American Road Line, of Moon, Pa.

"We look at it as an opportunity to learn the latest information with the Military Traffic Management Command," said Jackie Lynn, Vice President Government Freight. "You can interface with people you are on the phone with all year."

The one-day conference was a great success, said Pamela Monroe, Coordinator.

"It worked real well," said Monroe. "This is something should do next year, too." (FROM MILITARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).