2026 Hampton Roads Small Business Symposium: Contracting for Success!

A roadmap to successfully navigate the government procurement process.

The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) in partnership with the City of Virginia Beach and Virginia APEX Accelerator (GMU) will host the 2026 Small Business Symposium: Contracting for Success… A Roadmap to Successfully Navigate the Government Procurement Process.

SBSD invites you to join us for this in-person event designed to help you successfully navigate the government procurement process.

Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, resource partners, and procurement professionals while learning how to do business at the local, state, and federal levels.

Doors Open at 8:00am for Check-in and Networking Breakfast

Discussion Topics:

Session I: Business Development and Preparation Tools

What are Purchasing Rules … Types of Solicitations
Understanding Contract Terms and Conditions
Procurement Lifecycle (from solicitation to award to contract management

Session II: Understanding the Government Contracting Process (State, Local, Federal)

What are Purchasing Rules … Types of Solicitations
Understanding Contract Terms and Conditions
Procurement Lifecycle (from solicitation to award to contract management)

Session III: Accessing Contract Opportunities

Tools and Technology: Bidding Platforms/Procurement Sites
Building Relationships (partnering/teaming, contracting officers, primes)
Proposal Development – How to Respond to an RFP (key elements)
Spotlight on available opportunities with local government and prime contractors.

FREE TO ATTEND … REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. If you have questions regarding this event, please contact angela.barber@sbsd.virginia.gov.

THIS IS NOT A VENDOR FAIR – WE ARE NOT OFFERING OPPORTUNITES TO HOST AN EXHIBIT TABLE.

Organized by The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity in partnerhship with Virginia Beach Economic Development/HIVE Business Resource Center, Virginia Beach Purchasing/SWaM Business Office and Virginia APEX Accelerator