ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) — A local foundation is hosting its annual conference this week, known as VETCON 2025. The two-day conference offers special opportunities to veteran business owners and entrepreneurs.
Veterans are connecting with opportunities at the Desmond Hotel Tuesday through Wednesday.
“Today is the ninth annual VETCON. This is a conference where we match service-disabled veteran owned businesses with state agencies,” said Greg Rinckey.
He and his founding partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC started VETCON because both are army veterans.
“It’s very important to give back to the service-disabled veteran community because they’ve given so much to the United States. They come back with sometimes war wounds or mental wounds, and they really need to have a step up sometimes to get business and also to employ other veterans,” said Rinckey.
By law, New York state must set aside 6 percent of all state contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.
“Today is when businesses that are service disabled come to the Desmond for two days of conferences and network and matchmaking with state agencies,” said Rinckey.
The conference provides professional development, something Kelly Hilland is interested in.
“This event always have a lot of information for veterans. And so I come to see what’s happening now in the community. How I can grow and develop,” said Hilland.
She served in the army for 32 years and is a service disabled, bronze star veteran. She’s also the owner of Brownies Dispensary.
“I know some of these people, so they are here for us. They care about us. and that means so much that it means so much to us,” said Hilland.
Veteran Susan Herson is the founder of Glow Guide and is thrilled to participate.
“This is my first VETCON but I have a feeling I’ll be back,” said Herson.
