The ASBC Turns 20 Today!

Watch our 20th anniversary celebration video here.

Can you believe it has been two decades since the debut of The American Small Business Coalition (The ASBC)? It happened on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 at the annual OSDBU Conference hosted at the Prince George's County Equestrian Center. Guy and Aimee Cubbage introduced a groundbreaking community program aimed at supporting the growth of small businesses in federal contracting through collaboration, co-opetition, education and training. The idea was to pool an array of trusted resources, and provide essential knowledge and skill-building programs to increase the ability of companies and their people to see and be seen in federal contracting.

According to some, the idea seemed far-fetched, and many doubting Thomas' said it wouldn't fly. But most who know Guy understand what happens when he's told something can't be done. He will make a point of ensuring it can be done - and he did, and continues to do just that. Over the past two decades our membership programs have assisted more than 1,000 organizations and their people, and more than 20,000 have benefited from our former education and training curriculum, The ASBCs of Government Contracting™, and the current curriculum established in 2009, Ethical Stalking for Government Contractors®. As a result, we have met and worked with many in their first days in federal contracting, and have experienced the pains and joys of growth with companies whose revenues were under $1 million, and above $100 million. We've been here to celebrate unions resulting from M&A activities, and love connections (we are blamed for causing at least one marriage, and Guy officiated another), welcome new generations, and sadly, we've bid farewell to several dear friends, during this journey. In ways we never could have imagined, our lives, personally and professionally, have been enriched by everyone who has crossed our path.

Unexpectedly, one remarkable outcome of these 20 years has been the incredibly supportive and tight-knit community that is The ASBC. We have heard testimony, and born witness to members lifting other members, in business and in life. Federal contracting may be the tie that binds, but the empathy and compassion reaches far beyond task orders and teaming agreements. This unwavering love and support became vividly evident when Guy was sidelined for months in 2010. It was during this time when our daughter was a few months old, that so many of our incredible members rallied together to ensure that Maggie could focus on family, while they kept The ASBC operating, flawlessly. If not for you, our members past and present, we truly would not be here to celebrate The ASBCs 20th anniversary. We are forever grateful.

Watch our 20th anniversary celebration video here.

Do you have memories and/or photos to share from your participation with The ASBC? Please share them here!