NASA in two weeks will hold a symposium for small-business representatives where they can meet officials from prime contractors, and receive briefings from NASA officials, but the deadline to register is today, the space agency announced last week.

To register, please go to http://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/boo/2008sbsym/index.asp on the Web.

The Small Business Symposium and Awards Ceremony will be held Nov. 17-18 at the Hilton Washington, 1919 Connecticut Ave., N.W., in Washington, D.C.

Participation is open to industry, academia and domestic small businesses.

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with NASA and its prime contractors and learn how to do business with the agency.

NASA representatives will discuss plans for future Earth and space missions as well as other agency programs, initiatives, and business opportunities. The space agency will provide information about the skills, resources and technologies needed to achieve space missions, programs and research.

Topics include information about the NASA Mentor-Protege Program, how the Small Business Program works, how to reach NASA prime contractors for subcontracting opportunities, and how small businesses can build a high-tech industrial base.

NASA’s Small Business Industry and Advocate awards will be presented on the symposium’s second day. The awards recognize outstanding contributions made by NASA employees and industry representatives to support the agency’s small business program.

The Business Opportunities Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., and the Office of Small Business Programs at NASA Headquarters in Washington are hosting the symposium.