A national trade organization is excited to shine the spotlight on Hanford federal business opportunities at an upcoming conference in the Tri-Cities.

The Energy Technology and Environmental Business Association (ETEBA) holds its first Hanford Federal Business Opportunities Forum on Aug. 14 in Kennewick.

ETEBA represents more than 250 small, large and mid-sized companies and affiliate members nationwide that provide environmental, technology, energy, engineering, construction and related services to government and commercial clients.

Excitement about the conference is gaining momentum, said Ericka Rice, executive vice president of operations of TradeWind Services LLC in Richland. She also serves on the ETEBA board.

She said that the association has held big conferences in New Mexico, South Carolina and Tennessee so she’s excited about the Tri-Cities hosting an event locally.

“We really wanted Hanford as a featured (Department of Energy) site,” she told the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.

The full-day agenda includes updates on Hanford prime contract management and opportunities and Pacific Northwest National Laboratories opportunities and updates. There will also be panels on cleanup to clean energy and business opportunities forecast from Hanford procurement.

State Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, will provide the keynote address.

The event is Aug. 14 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. A networking celebration is planned for the night before on Aug. 13 at Barnard Griffin Winery, featuring live music, food and wine.

The conference cost is $300 for members, $450 for nonmembers.

Go to: eteba.org/exchange.

In conjunction with the conference, TradeWind is hosting its second quarterly networking event and open house from 5 p.m. to midnight at 1100 Jadwin Ave., Suite 200, Richland. There is no charge to attend this post-conference event.