WHAT
Join us for the 16th annual Veterans Small Business Conference, the nation’s premier event for veteran entrepreneurs! This in-person nationwide event will feature expert speakers from across the country, practical training sessions and relevant exhibitors for veterans as well as their business partners and spouses at any stage in their entrepreneurial journeys.
Those looking to start a business will learn how to utilize their existing skills to lay the foundation for a successful venture. Those who operate a business will be able to explore options to grow their current operation, including government contracting, improved marketing efforts, potential certifications and more.
Visit exhibitor booths, listen to our nationally-recognized expert speakers and meet with our roundtable hosts to learn more about how their organization assists veteran entrepreneurs.
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2023 event! Next year’s event date will be announced shortly. Sign up below to receive event notifications.
tHANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED THE 2023 CONFERENCE.
To receive notifications about next year's event, including the save the date, please sign up below.
When & Where
Monday, September 18, 2023
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center
13200 E. 14th Pl.
Aurora, CO 80011
How To Participate
Attend
- Access to sessions and roundtables
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Exhibitor contact information
- Free parking
- Discounted overnight hotel rooms
$129/Attendee SOLD OUT
Exhibit
- One 6′ exhibitor table
- Exhibitor listing in event program with contact information
- Invitation to exclusive VIP reception the evening prior to the event, providing access to speakers, sponsors and dignitaries
- One complimentary attendee ticket
- Access to sessions and roundtables
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Exhibitor contact information
- Free parking
- Discounted overnight hotel rooms
Please note that no refunds will be provided after September 1.
conference agenda
7:00 am - Registration & Breakfast
8:00 am - Welcome Remarks
Rene Simard
aurora, Co
8:15 am - Keynote Address
9:15 am - Breakout Sessions
Military Spouses: Small Business Panel
Many military spouses are taking the entrepreneurial leap to start their own business. This session will cover a variety of opportunities for military spouses to start their own business, whether full-time or a side hustle. Learn from military spouses who have succeeded and ask them questions.
Digital Media and Your Online Presence
If you can’t get the word out about your business, then you won’t have a business for long. Digital media is crucial to the success of your business, but how can you create an online presence that will draw customers in and invite them to buy? Find out about digital media options, which will reach your customers and how to budget for success.
10:30 am - Breakout Sessions
Finding the Funding You Need
Business owners want to know about acquiring capital to start and grow their businesses. This session will answer questions about where the money is, how to get it and what is the best source for your needs. Panelists from the U.S. Small Business Administration, community lenders and commercial banks will address how finding the capital you need is possible, and how to best go about it.
Cybersecurity for Your Small Business
In today’s business world, keeping your business practices, data, and your customers information safe from hackers is vital. Experts from the National Cybersecurity Center will present the top ten tools small businesses can leverage to ensure the safety of the company, its assets, and its customers.
Fired Up! I Want to Start a Business
As you transition from the military, is the entrepreneurial path the way to go? This session will give you the nuts and bolts on the starting process, early decisions to make, and risks you should be assessing. If you’re starting at the very beginning, join us for this session as we dive into start-up issues and guide you on the best entrepreneurial path for success.
11:30 am - Lunch
12:45 pm - Roundtables
2:15 pm - Breakout Sessions
Veteran Business Owners in Hospitality
Restaurants, breweries, and lodging are appealing businesses for military veterans who are eager to start a business. Hear from business owners across the hospitality industry on how they decided to go into business in this space, what lessons they learned, and what advice they have for others to succeed.
Hiring and Retaining the Best Employees
It can still seem daunting to hire new people — and get them to stay as your business grows. Learn from the best in workforce development on how to identify employees that are a good fit for your company, how to keep them and reward them. Arapahoe/Douglas Works! and Pikes Peak Workforce Centers will present their best practices and resources to assist you in finding and keeping employees.
Sasha Easton
centennial, co
Robin Lovewell
colorado springs, co
How to Work with the Government
Once you are successful in your business, you may wonder if working with the government would be a path to follow to grow your business. Hear from APEX (formerly the Colorado Procurement Technical Assistance Center) as the procurement specialist shares insights on government contract assistance. This session will cover everything from how to get your veteran-owned business certification to reading solicitations.
Patrick McGlew, Moderator
colorado springs, co
3:30 pm - Closing Remarks
Exhibitors
roundtable hosts
Presented By
Premier Sponsors
Patron Sponsors
Pillar SponsorS
In Partnership With
