3rd Annual Buffalo Niagara MWBE & SDVOB Training Day Conference & Expo
October 22 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT
Program Overview:
The work is coming. Will your business be ready?
The 3rd Annual Buffalo Niagara Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) & Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) Training Day Conference & Expo returns Thursday, October 22, 2026, with a full day dedicated to helping businesses prepare for contracting opportunities, strengthen their operations, and build relationships with the people making purchasing decisions.
This year’s theme, “The Return of Readiness: Less Talk. More Execution,” puts the focus on practical strategies businesses can use to compete for and successfully perform on government and corporate contracts.
The conference brings together entrepreneurs, procurement professionals, government representatives, corporate buyers, and business development organizations for interactive training, panel discussions, networking, and an expo designed to connect businesses with opportunities.
For women business owners, particularly those who are MWBE-certified or considering certification, this event offers an opportunity to better understand the procurement landscape and what it takes to move from certification to contracting.
NAWBO – Buffalo/Niagara is pleased to share this community opportunity with our members and fellow business owners who are interested in expanding their networks, strengthening their competitive position, and pursuing new business opportunities.
Conference Highlights
The program features panel discussions and hands-on bootcamps focused on procurement readiness, business development, and growth.
Featured Panels:
- The Buyer Blueprint
- Beyond the Checkbox
- Untapped Opportunities
Interactive Bootcamps:
- Build the Bid, and Make Sure It Pays
- AI at Work
- Can Your Business Grow Beyond You?
- Work the Room
Additional programming includes an interactive Procurement Expo and Matchmaker, a Readiness Standard™ Cohort Graduation, opening remarks from Senator April Baskin, and a Veterans Color Guard Ceremony.
Why Attend?
Whether your business is newly certified, actively pursuing contracts, or preparing for larger opportunities, the conference is designed to help you understand what buyers need and how to position your business to compete.
Participants will have opportunities to explore procurement requirements, improve their approach to responding to solicitations, learn how to use artificial intelligence in their operations, and connect with potential buyers and business partners.
The conference also emphasizes an often-overlooked part of contracting: preparing your business to deliver successfully once you win the work.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT
Location: 500 Pearl Street, Buffalo, NY
Event Format: In-person conference, training sessions, procurement expo, and networking
Presented By: The RARE Place, Inc.
Registration
Advance registration is available through the official conference website.
Visit www.TheMWBEConference.com for additional conference details, ticket information, and program updates.
Presented by The RARE Place, Inc. | Shared with the NAWBO – Buffalo/Niagara community as a business community event.