Award Winner Registration

Award winners have the opportunity begin registration early, at 1:00p.m. Please be sure to bring a valid form of identification and a print-out of your registration confirmation email.

Sponsored by

Attendee Registration

Registration will be open to general attendees for two hours prior to the start of the evening reception. Please be sure to bring a valid form of identification and a print-out of your registration confirmation email.

Sponsored by

How Small Businesses can win Big with Large Companies

Free event!

Are you a small business with a great product, but have no idea how to get it noticed by a large company? Have you ever wondered how to get your merchandise on the shelves of a major retailer? How Small Businesses can get in Big with Large Companies will share the secrets to small business success with big business partners. With a panel comprised of a major retailer, a small business product developer, and a non-profit small business mentoring organization, the session will offer solutions from all sides of the equation that add up to achievement.

Linda Boykin, Vice President of Merchandising for Office Depot, a leading global provider of Office Supplies and services, will share what retailers look for in small business partners. Holly Bohn, founder of See Jane Work, a stylish office and organization product company, will discuss her path to store shelves, and Mark Dobosz, president of SCORE, a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, will offer tips to grow the business while also generating attention from larger companies.

Sponsored by

Opening Networking Reception

Enjoy an evening of food and networking in the Garden of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. You'll meet other attendees and honored guests, and hear opening remarks from our organizing staff and guest speakers.

Sponsored by

Monuments by Moonlight Tour of Washington

In this optional night tour of Washington, guests will pass such sights as the White House, the U.S. Capitol Building, the Old Post Office Building, the Washington Monument, Smithsonian Museums, and World War II Memorial., Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial.

Guests will then make a stop at the Lincoln Memorial and enjoy the stunning views down the National Mall and Potomac River. A short walk from the Lincoln Monument is the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials - both moving tributes to our country men who served in these conflicts and stunning to see cast in an amber glow at night.

Cost of this event is not included in the ticket price. Enjoy this evening tour for $35.00 per person, inclusive of all taxes and gratuities. Bus Pickup and Drop off at the Maine Street Entrance, hotel lower level. Buses will pick up guest at 7:15 pm and return participants at 9:30pm.

Attendee Registration Open

Registration will be open to general attendees until 5:00p.m. Please be sure to bring a valid form of identification and a print-out of your registration confirmation email.

Sponsored by

Accelerator Room: Touch down, Connect, Network and Relax

The Accelerator Room is our on-site business center and computer bank. Wifi internet and business stations will be available throughout the day.

On Tuesday, The Accelerator Room will be open from 9:30a.m. - 1:00p.m., and again from 3:00p.m. - 5:30p.m.

Sponsored by

Entrepreneurial Development and Lender Awards Breakfast

This event will honor the SBA's resource partners and lenders who give small businesses the education, tools, and capital to start and grow!

Get more information on the Entrepreneurial Development awardees and the Lender awardees.

Sponsored by

Town Hall - Small Businesses Creating an Economy Built to Last

Free event!

Group discussions about how small businesses are good for the long-term health of any economy.

Sponsored by

Use of the AT&T logo is granted under permission by AT&T Intellectual Property.

Exporting Forum: Take Your Business Global

Free event!

U.S. exports soared to 2.1 trillion dollars in 2011, which is a 15% increase from 2010. Don't be left out, come and hear how SBA can help you find your next customer abroad! SBA's Office of International Trade will present an interactive panel discussion on the opportunities and rewards of exporting for U.S. small businesses. An expert panel of exporters and export service providers will share their success stories.

Another component of the session will be the Turkish Trade Pavilion hosted by the Government of Turkey. Here businesses will learn about the opportunities and rewards of doing business in Turkey, a dynamic and growing international market. Attendees will be able to meet Turkish trade representatives and 31 Turkish small business owners to learn more about this vibrant economy. Also they will be able to hear of opportunities from the Minister of Science, Industry and Technology. Make sure to visit the Turkish Trade Pavilion after lunch for a taste of traditional Turkish coffee and pastries!

National Awards Luncheon Honoring State Small Business Winners

This signature event of the conference honors the top Small Business from each of the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. The National State Small Business Person of the Year and 2 runner-ups will be announced at this event.

Get more information on the State Small Business awardees.

Sponsored by

Evening Reception at the U.S. Department of State

Please note that this event does not take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Event is only open to award winners and sponsors who pre-register. Bus Pickup and Drop off at the Maine Street Entrance, hotel lower level. Buses will pick up guest between 5:15 and 5:45 pm and depart from the State Department at approximately 8:00 pm.

Event is open only to award winners, award winner guests and sponsors who pre-register. Due to State Department regulations, attendees who are not pre-registered for the event by May 11 will not be permitted attend.

Sponsored by

Attendee Registration Open

On the last day of the conference, registration will be open to general attendees until 2:00p.m. Please be sure to bring a valid form of identification and a print-out of your registration confirmation email.

Sponsored by

Accelerator Room: Touch down, Connect, Network and Relax

The Accelerator Room is our on-site business center and computer bank. Wifi internet and business stations will be available throughout the day.

The Accelerator Room will be open on Tuesday from from 9:30a.m. - 1:00p.m., and again from 2:30p.m. - 5:00p.m.

Sponsored by

National Awards Breakfast Honoring Procurement Award Winners

This breakfast will focus on Government Contracting and contracting opportunities for Small Business. During the event we will honor small businesses that have provided the government and industry with outstanding goods and services as both contractors and subcontractors. We will also honor government agencies whom excel in providing small business contracting opportunities.

Get more information on the Procurement awardees.

Sponsored by

Business Matchmaking - Session 1

Free event!

Business Matchmaking provides a unique opportunity for small businesses to discuss procurement opportunities with major corporations and government agencies. These meetings will be about 15 minutes in length and allow small business owners to obtain insight on specific contract opportunities based on their qualifications. Participating small businesses must be registered for National Small Business Week and have to meet eligibility requirements, including having a DUNS number (www.dnb.com/us) and being registered with Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov).

Event is open only to attendees who also register through a separate Business Matchmaking Website. Information on how to officially register for Business Matchmaking will be sent to all registered participants separately: https://nsbw.mybusinessmatches.com/

See confirmed list of buyers

Sponsored by

Federal Contracting Educational Sessions

Free event!

Learn the criteria your company must meet in order to win Federal contracts. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions of successful Federal contractors.

Register for this one event, and you may choose to attend any one of the 3 sessions below:

Government Contracting 101: Small Business Contracting Programs
10 am – 11:15 am
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Oriental Ballroom B&C

The U.S. government is the world's largest buyer of products and services. Purchases by military and civilian installations amount to nearly $500 billion a year and include everything from complex space vehicles to janitorial services. Whether you’re expanding your business or starting a new one, government contracts can be an important source of business for your firm. Panelists will walk you through the federal procurement process as well as the government’s small business contracting programs such as the 8(a) Business Development program, HUBZone program, Women-Owned and Service-Disabled Small Business Programs as you learn how to gain access to federal contracts to grow your business.

Speakers: 8(a) Certification – Darryl Hairston, Associate Administrator Office of Business Development, HUBZone Certification – Mariana Pardo, Acting Director of the HUBZone Program – Ken Dodds, Director Office of Government Contracting

Insights into Federal Contracting Opportunities with Federal Agency OSDBUs
10 am – 11:15 am and 11:30 am to 12:45 pm
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hillwood Room

The Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization is the primary advocate within each Federal Executive Agency responsible for promoting the maximum practicable use of all designated small business categories within the Federal Acquisition process. The goal of the OSBDU is to advocate for and manage the small business utilization programs for their organization. Panelists, composed of federal agency OSDBUs, will share tips on how to do business with the federal government, marketing to the federal government, and preparing winning proposals.

Speakers: Kevin Boshears, Director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security OSDBU; Teresa Lewis, Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services OSDBU; Joseph Misanin, Deputy Director at the Department of Defense OSDBU; Jiyoung Park, Associate Administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration's OSDBU; Mauricio Vera, Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development OSDBU.

Improving Your Business through Sub-contracting opportunities
11: 30 am to 12:45 pm
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Oriental Ballroom B&C

One goal for many small businesses contracting with the federal government is to develop their business and build revenue from sources other than the federal government. Small businesses that are able to break into corporate supply chains often experience phenomenal growth. One study even shows that after small suppliers link up with larger companies, they can experience 250% revenue growth and 150% job growth in just a few years. Join our team of panelists as they share their insights and perspective on mastering the challenges of getting into the supply chains of large primes, and learn how to better take advantage of both prime and sub-contracting opportunities.

Phoenix Awards Luncheon

This emotional and inspiring event focuses on Small Business Disaster Recovery. Phoenix awards are given to those individuals (business owners, volunteers and public officials) whose efforts and contributions have enabled their businesses or communities to recover successfully from a disaster.

Get more information on the Phoenix awardees.

Sponsored by

Social Media Forum

Free event!

Are you looking for tips and best practices for putting social media to work for your business? Don't miss SBA's free Social Media Forum during National Small Business Week!

Social media is one of the most fasting growing channels for businesses to connect with existing and potential customers. However, taking that first step or next step can be challenging. If you are just getting started or thinking about taking your social media plan to the next level, our panel of experts will provide you with valuable information to help you reach your goals. Our panelists will cover topics like e-mail marketing, blogging, how to incorporate social media into your marketing strategy and how to use Yelp and Twitter to your advantage.

Join us in person or online as we discuss ways to help you best utilize social media. We'll also be taking your questions on Twitter, use the hashtag #SBW2012.

Following the Social Media Forum, Microsoft is sponsoring a "TweetUp" event outside the Accelerator Room. The Tweetup will involve a discussion on the past, present and future of customer acquisition. SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns will introduce the discussion that focuses specifically on what it means to be a consumer in the digital/social generation, and how companies can better generate leads online!

Sponsored by

Business Matchmaking - Session 2

Free event!

Business Matchmaking provides a unique opportunity for small businesses to discuss procurement opportunities with major corporations and government agencies. These meetings will be about 15 minutes in length and allow small business owners to obtain insight on specific contract opportunities based on their qualifications. Participating small businesses must be registered for National Small Business Week and have to meet eligibility requirements, including having a DUNS number (www.dnb.com/us) and being registered with Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov).

Event is open only to attendees who also register through a separate Business Matchmaking Website. Information on how to officially register for Business Matchmaking will be sent to all registered participants separately: https://nsbw.mybusinessmatches.com/

See confirmed list of buyers

Sponsored by

Champion Award Winners Dinner

This final event will honor our Small Business Champions - individuals or organizations dedicated to supporting small businesses.

After the dinner and award ceremony, we will celebrate the week and all of our winners with dancing and entertainment.

Get more information on the Champion awardees.

Sponsored by