Knowledge base archive
4th Annual Veteran-Owned Small Business Training & Conference
Forged for Impact: Advancing the Future of Veteran Entrepreneurship
Everything an attendee needs, in one page: the full agenda, the venue map, what every resource partner actually offers — and an AI assistant trained on all of it. Ask it anything below.
Dates
Sept 17-18, 2026 · 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Venue
Maritime Conference Center, Linthicum Heights MD
Parking
Free · Lot A is closest to the conference rooms
Food
Free buffet lunch both days
Headshots
Free (Fulton Bank), both afternoons
Stop flipping through the paper agenda
Two tracks run in parallel all day, ten resource partners are tabling, and every session has a different takeaway. This assistant has read the official agenda, the campus map, and every partner's program catalog.
- "Which sessions matter if I want federal contracts?"
- "What does APEX do, and what does it cost?"
- "Where is the capability statement session?"
- "Who should I talk to about a microloan?"
Why is this here? A veteran-owned AI studio built it for fellow attendees — overnight. If your business needs systems like this (AI that answers, organizes, and sells while you work the room), that conversation starts with Brian Sinclair: (307) 344-4410
Conference KB Assistant
Trained on the official agenda, venue map & resource-partner KB
Want the program list with every application link? Get the IVMF programs, deadlines, and eligibility emailed to you.
Email me the IVMF listDay 1 — Small Business Resources
Thursday, September 17 · check-in 7:30-8:15 AM · networking social at the bar after 4:30
8:30-9:30 AM — Welcome (Classroom 2)
9:45-10:45 AM — Session 1: Resources
11:00 AM-12:00 PM — Session 2: Lending
12:15-1:30 PM — Lunch & networking
1:30-2:30 PM — Session 3
2:45-4:00 PM — Session 4: AI
4:00-4:30 PM+ — Resource tables, networking, social
Day 2 — Government Contracting
Friday, September 18 · closing remarks & prize drawing at 3:45 PM
8:30-9:30 AM — Welcome (Classroom 2)
9:45-10:45 AM — Session 1
11:00 AM-12:00 PM — Session 2
12:15-1:30 PM — Lunch & networking
1:30-2:30 PM — Session 3
2:45-3:45 PM — Session 4 (prize drawing tickets)
3:45-4:00 PM — Closing (Classroom 2)
Lessons from the live sessions
Brian attended Day 1 and captured the substance of the IVMF presentation, the GovCon Q&A, and the customer-discovery coaching — here's what was actually said.
IVMF programs, by stage
- EBV (Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans) — ideation and early growth: framing the offering, structuring the business. Post-9/11 roots, now broader. 79% of grads started/grew a business; 83% still in business. Apply: ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/entrepreneurship/start-up/ebv
- Military Founders Lab — 10-week online program (grew out of Bunker Labs' Veterans in Residence). For businesses already running or raising funds: curriculum plus investor/customer connections. Next cohort (27A) starts January 2027; interest form: ivmfsyr.formtitan.com/ftproject/mflinterest. Eligibility: registered business + under $250K revenue (or funded pre-revenue).
- CEO Circle — year-long accelerator mastermind for growth-stage companies ($1M+ revenue or $5M investment raised). Monthly peer accountability groups; focus on scale, M&A, funding.
- V-WISE (Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship) — for women veterans and military spouses: 4-week online course + 3-day capstone conference. Apply: ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/entrepreneurship/start-up/v-wise
- Veteran EDGE — annual conference (March, Dallas): ~$1B in participant revenue reported for 2025; speakers from VA, JPMorgan and across industry. Info: ivmf.syracuse.edu (Veteran EDGE page)
- STRIVE is the only paid program (~$75, covers a 3-day residency with meals). Everything else is free, including travel for residency programs — IVMF flies attendees in, covers hotel and meals.
Official IVMF links
IVMF is the D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, born from a WWII-era Syracuse program for returning vets. Funded by the D'Aniello family endowment plus JP Morgan. 100K+ military-connected entrepreneurs supported directly ('100K Strong'); 230K+ across all IVMF arms. Bunker Labs was acquired by Syracuse ~3 years ago. Applications required — apply early.
GovCon: how buyers actually buy
- GovCon is a marketplace, not an industry — you bring your industry TO the marketplace. (Timberlake)
- Relationships start years before the RFP. By the time an RFI/RFP publishes, the requirement, solution shape, and often the buying method are already decided — waiters on SAM.gov bid against the prepared. (Timberlake)
- The contracting officer is not your customer. Find the program manager, acquisition lead, and end user — e.g. construction project manager, systems manager. CIOs outside the intel community usually hold no budget. (Timberlake)
- DoDAAC research: the first six characters of a federal contract number (e.g. FA1041-, 47QRA-) identify the buying office. Search it in USASpending/FPDS to see everything an office has ever bought, from whom, and at what dollar levels. A second DoDAAC inside the contract identifies the delivery/funding location. (Timberlake)
- Ignore YouTube GovCon advice — most creators have never sold to the government. (Timberlake)
- The GSA schedule has never exceeded ~10% of federal spend (~$60B of ~$800B); most agencies buy off-schedule. Check whether your NAICS category (1-10 of 19 = 'common goods and services') is even schedule-viable before chasing one. (Timberlake)
- NAICS codes are a starting point, not a strategy — don't pick a code and wait. (Timberlake)
From Guy Timberlake's Q&A (The ASBC). Full list in the assistant above — ask it about DoDAAC research, WIOA hiring, or GSA schedules.
Customer discovery, done right
- Pick your top 3 services, not a buffet — a full menu overwhelms buyers. Choose the 3 based on data, not preference.
- Customer discovery = surveying target businesses on their top challenges, what they'd pay, how much, and how often (subscription vs one-off). Tools: SurveyMonkey (analytics on free tier) or Google Forms.
- Distribution: join your county Chamber of Commerce and ask them to send the survey to members (some chambers charge a small fee, e.g. ~$50, to email a marketing piece to the whole membership). Economic Development offices keep lists too.
- Serve your home county first — take care of your house (Wicomico County for VES) before expanding to other counties.
- Then build: revenue drivers get doubled down on; bottom performers get cut every year; survivors get refined with customer feedback. Price and delivery model come from the survey data, so 'selling' becomes delivering what was already requested.
- Coming from corporate/government means your customer was pre-assigned; in commercial work you must stay in tune with the customer continuously.
From the coaching session — the survey-first playbook VES is now running in Wicomico County.
Captured on the floor — direct channels worth using
Photos of slides, table flyers, and QR codes from both days — the direct channels and sign-ups you can still act on now that the conference is over.
SBA Baltimore District Office
Direct line 410-962-6195; email Baltimore_DO@sba.gov; web sba.gov/md; X @SBA_Baltimore; LinkedIn 'SBA Baltimore District Office'. Mailing list + feedback: sba.gov/updates.
Why it matters: The district office is the year-round desk for VetCert, lending, and contracting questions — no need to wait for an event.
VBOC (Veterans Business Outreach Center)
'No cost consulting services' — one-on-one counseling request form: sba-vboc.ecenterdirect.com/signup?centerid=40 (decoded from the table QR). Services: business training, counseling, resource referrals, leader readiness prep, Boots to Business, workshops — no cost, no obligation, confidential.
Why it matters: Book free one-on-one veteran business counseling — the request form link is verified.
Maryland SBDC — Winning Government Contracts series
'Winning That Government Contracting Award Series — Session #1: Business Development Life Cycle', Sept 28 2026, 10:00-11:30 AM ET, online, $98, contact Diane McFarland. Veterans and military spouses: business development life cycle, finding solicitations, RFPs, proposal-writing fundamentals.
Why it matters: A structured paid GovCon course path from the SBDC — session #1 lands right after the conference; later sessions follow.
Maryland APEX Accelerator
Counseling is free (DoD cooperative agreement): SAM registration, capability statements, solicitations, proposal writing and pricing, teaming/subcontracting, FAR training. The Bid Match Service (daily email of matched federal/state/local/foreign opportunities) is a PAID add-on: $150 for 6 months or $300 for 12 months, credit card only — and it cannot be activated until you are a registered APEX client with at least ONE completed counseling session. Sequence: sign up free as a client at mdapex.ecenterdirect.com/signup, complete your first counseling session, then the Bid Match application at marylandapex.org/bidmatchservice; allow up to 2 weeks for activation. (Verified from marylandapex.org on 2026-09-19 — corrects the conference-table impression that Bid Match itself was no-cost.)
Why it matters: Register as a free APEX client and book the first counseling session this week — the daily Bid Match alerts only switch on after that session, and cost $150/6mo or $300/12mo if you want them.
NVSBC — book the free consultation directly
The free 30-minute no-charge GovCon session books at calendly.com/scott-semple/30min (decoded from the NVSBC slide QR); also nvsbc.memberclicks.net/vetfedconsult. Fellowship program interest: nvsbc.memberclicks.net/mentor-cohort. Timberlake's 'GovCon Growth Operating System' newsletter subscribe QR (LinkedIn) was on a Day 2 session slide.
Why it matters: Free expert eyes on your contracting approach — book the slot directly instead of waiting for an event.
Maryland Dept. of Health — OCMP & Dept. of Juvenile Services
Both agencies ran vendor-outreach tables. The DJS Direct Solicitation List sign-up is a Google Form ('Department of Juvenile Services: Vendor Outreach') and the MDH OCMP Vendor Dashboard form is a Smartsheet — both decoded URLs are archived with the conference photos. Open state solicitations over $1,000: MD.GOV/PROCUREMENT (eMMA).
Why it matters: Joining agency direct-solicitation lists is the lowest-effort state-contract on-ramp — do it the same week you register on eMMA.
Maryland state certifications (How-to-do-business-with-MD flyer)
State socioeconomic programs: MBE, WBE, VOB (Veteran-Owned Business) and SDVOB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned) — VOB/SDVOB certified via the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (MDVMF); typically 51% veteran ownership/control with honorable service (service-connected rating for SDVOB). Register on the Maryland Business Registry; benefits include set-asides/preferences and mentor-protégé programs.
Why it matters: VSBE/VOB certification is the state-side counterpart to federal VetCert — VES is pursuing it; any veteran firm on state contracts should too.
IVMF Team Northeast (Syracuse IVMF leadership)
Regional leads: Nefertari Strickland (Philadelphia), Guy Timberlake (National Capital Region MD). Ambassadors include Dr. Mecca Nelson, Rod Loges, Jasmine Rush, Jake Dulle, Jasmine Lubbad (Maryland Suburban), Brenna Gardner, Rebecca Morgan, Joshua Gardner (National Capital Region VA), Michael Dennell (Philadelphia).
Why it matters: The humans behind IVMF programs in this region — Warm intros to the right program staff beat cold applications.
WIOA hiring subsidies + WOTC tax credits (hiring veterans in Maryland)
Two separate employer incentives for hiring veterans. (1) WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) programs via Maryland Works / the American Job Centers can pay or defer wages for eligible new hires recruited from the state job bank (Maryland Workforce Exchange) — a test-run hire with priority of service for veterans and their eligible spouses; you must disclose intent up front and the hire is W-2. Cash-flow reality: the employer pays wages first and reimbursement lags. (2) WOTC (Work Opportunity Tax Credit) is a federal tax credit of up to $2,400–$9,600 per qualifying hire (qualified veteran is a target group) — apply via IRS Form 8850 to the MD Labor Tax Credit Unit within 28 calendar days of the employee's start date; unlike WIOA it costs nothing up front. Verified from labor.maryland.gov (Veteran Services / WOTC policy issuances) on 2026-09-19.
Why it matters: When you're ready to hire: WOTC is free money with a 28-day clock per hire — file Form 8850 every time. WIOA wage subsidies are powerful but only once a month of payroll is covered by revenue.
What's next on the calendar (announced at the conference)
Winning That Government Contracting Award Series — Session #1 (SBDC)
September 28, 2026, 10:00-11:30 AM ET (online)
Maryland SBDC's GovCon award series kickoff: business development life cycle, finding solicitations, RFPs, proposal fundamentals. $98 — veterans and military-spouse focused. Register via the SBDC training catalog (training.marylandsbdc.org).
VETS 27 — NVSBC National Conference
May 18-21, 2027 — New Orleans, LA
The NVSBC national veteran-contracting conference (presenting sponsor JPMorgan). The flagship room for VOSB/SDVOSB firms, agency buyers, and prime contractors. Details/registration at nvsbc.org.
Veteran EDGE (IVMF)
Each March — Dallas, TX
IVMF's annual conference for established veteran businesses scaling up (~$1B participant revenue reported for 2025). Track dates at ivmf.syracuse.edu.
NVSBC Veteran Access to Capital Symposium
Annual, hybrid (in-person + virtual)
Full-day symposium with finance experts and 1:1 matchmaking for all company stages. Partners: JPMorganChase, George Mason University Center for Government Contracting, Syracuse IVMF, sbLiftOff. Watch nvsbc.org for the next date.
The resource partners, decoded
Who is tabling here, what they actually do, and why you should stop at their table — sourced from each organization's own site.
State program inside the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning that runs veteran employment and entrepreneurship services, including this annual conference and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs) who connect veterans to employers and resources.
At this conference: The host of the conference. LeRoy Thomas is the Maryland Veterans Program Manager; Tom Fort is the regional LVER who sent the attendee packet.
Walk away with: Ongoing connection to state veteran employment and business services through your regional LVER — free, year-round.
Presenting: LeRoy Thomas, Thomas Fort
Federal agency for small-business lending, counseling, and contracting programs: 7(a) and 504 loans, microloans, SBIC, and federal contracting support including the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program — service-disabled veteran-owned (SDVOSB) and veteran-owned (VOSB) certification for federal set-aside contracts.
At this conference: Presenting on resources, lending, and federal contracting/VetCert. The SBA Baltimore District Office covers Maryland.
Walk away with: VetCert application guidance (the federal SDVOSB/VOSB certification), loan-program orientation, and free district counseling. VetCert is also the certification behind the federal 3% and set-aside contracting goals for veteran firms.
Presenting: Denise Hayes, Ed Knox, Rachel Skinner, Bryce Besaw
SBA-funded centers offering entrepreneurial training, counseling, and mentoring specifically for veterans, service members, and military spouses — business-plan development, feasibility analysis, and transition assistance. No cost.
At this conference: One of the most-present partners at the conference: sessions on resources, lending, manufacturing, franchising (with VetFran), and AI business planning.
Walk away with: Sign up for no-cost one-on-one counseling and the Boots to Business training track — the standard on-ramp for transitioning service members and new veteran entrepreneurs.
Presenting: Tina Edwards, Ryan Del Gallo, Wynne Briscoe
Maryland SBDC provides free, confidential business consulting and training to small businesses at every stage — strategy, marketing, financials, growth, and technology adoption — through a University of Maryland-hosted network.
At this conference: Presenting on resources and on 'How to use AI for business growth.'
Walk away with: A free assigned business advisor for ongoing consulting — growth planning, financials, marketing, and technology adoption.
Presenting: Candace Pruett, Brandon Mason
University of Maryland-operated center (partnered with Maryland SBDC) that helps service members, veterans, and military spouses start, purchase, or grow a business — training, counseling, and mentoring, focused on underserved communities. No cost.
At this conference: Presenting in the resources overview session.
Walk away with: No-cost training and mentoring for starting, buying, or growing a business — including for military spouses.
Presenting: Arthur Toole
No-cost government-contracting counseling for Maryland small businesses: bid reviews, registrations (SAM.gov etc.), certifications, marketing to agencies, proposal help, and contract-performance guidance. Opened 2002; headquartered in College Park with three other Maryland locations.
At this conference: Teaching 'Acquire the Target: Know Your Customer' and capability statements — the two foundation skills for anyone starting federal contracting.
Walk away with: A free counseling engagement: capability-statement review, SAM.gov registration help, bid/proposal reviews, and target-customer research. Clients also get free daily Electronic Bid Matching (federal/state/local opportunities by email). Register at marylandapex.org/get-started — allow ~30 business days for processing. Requirements: MD business registration, a product/service to sell, and commercial or government past performance.
Presenting: Pam Minor, Tara Scott
Syracuse University institute delivering entrepreneurship and employment programs for veterans and military families at no cost (only STRIVE charges ~$75). Programs by stage: EBV (ideation/early-growth bootcamp), Military Founders Lab (10-week online for running/raising businesses), CEO Circle (year-long accelerator for $1M+ revenue firms), V-WISE (women veterans/spouses), Veteran EDGE (annual March conference, Dallas). 100K+ military-connected entrepreneurs supported; Bunker Labs acquired by Syracuse in 2023. IVMF covers travel/hotel/meals for residency programs.
At this conference: Presenting the established-business resource track on Day 1 (Guy Timberlake, IVMF Ambassador & Regional Lead NC→NY).
Walk away with: Apply by stage: EBV for start-up framing, Military Founders Lab if already operating or fundraising, CEO Circle at $1M+ revenue, V-WISE for women entrepreneurs. Applications at ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/entrepreneurship — apply early.
Presenting: Guy Timberlake
Membership organization teaching small businesses how federal buyers actually buy — Awareness, Education, Training, Coaching (AETC). Founded and led by Guy Timberlake (40 years in GovCon, ex-intel community). Also the home of 'ethical stalking for government contractors' — using public spend data (DoDAAC codes in USASpending/FPDS) to research agencies before ever pitching.
At this conference: Guy Timberlake presented the IVMF track and the Day 2 contracting panel; his Q&A covered DoDAAC research, WIOA hiring subsidies, GSA schedule reality, and free law-school legal clinics. IVMF lists him as Regional Lead for the National Capital Region (MD) on Team Northeast.
Walk away with: Book 'Making It to Basecamp' (Aug 2026, on Amazon) — a fable-style walkthrough of federal contracting readiness. Contact Guy via theasbc.org or LinkedIn for intros (he offered conference attendees direct email intros, e.g. to First Nation Group for VA medical supply). His free newsletter: 'The GovCon Growth Operating System' (signup QR from his slides).
Presenting: Guy Timberlake
National nonprofit advocacy and training organization for veteran-owned businesses in federal contracting — education, networking, regional/national events, mentorship, and policy advocacy on veteran procurement issues (VOSB/SDVOSB programs). Engages 10,000+ GovCon professionals annually ('Veterans Mean Business', #NVSBC).
At this conference: Taught the Day 2 closing session on contracting trends. National programs include: FREE 45-minute virtual GovCon consultations with trained experts (Boeing-backed, open to all GovCon professionals); a 9-month Fellowship Program (JPMorgan Chase-supported, cohorts get procurement-readiness + finance curriculum); the annual Veteran Access to Capital Symposium (hybrid, JPMorganChase + George Mason Univ. Center for Government Contracting + Syracuse IVMF + sbLiftOff); and the national VETS conference — VETS 27 is May 18-21, 2027 in New Orleans (presenting sponsor JPMorgan).
Walk away with: Free expert GovCon consultation (45 min, virtual), fellowship cohorts, the VETS national conference, and a policy voice on veteran contracting rules. VETS 27 registration and details at nvsbc.org.
Presenting: Scott Semple, Robert Hamlett Jr.
Washington-DC GovCon technology company founded by Kelly Quinn Maroney — an AI platform for government contracting that helps small businesses find opportunities and produce winning bids faster ('Save time. Deliver faster. Win more.').
At this conference: The Day 2 NVSBC session (Scott Semple) pointed attendees to this platform for getting contracts awarded, per Brian's recollection of the session — the company and founder are verified on procurementsciences.com (2026-09-19).
Walk away with: AI-assisted opportunity targeting and proposal/bid production for federal contractors — the commercial tool counterpart to the free APEX Bid Match alerts. Site: procurementsciences.com.
State office managing Maryland Department of Health procurement — over $500M in annual contract spend. Provides a Vendor Dashboard and a Direct Solicitation List vendors can join for procurement opportunities across MDH programs.
At this conference: Exhibiting with a vendor-outreach table on Day 2: 'Want to be added to DJS/MDH Direct Solicitation List?' sign-ups via QR code, plus Small Business Reserve Program guidance (state contracts set aside for certified small businesses).
Walk away with: Join the MDH Direct Solicitation List via their vendor QR/portal, use the Vendor Dashboard to track MDH opportunities, and view open state solicitations over $1,000 at MD.GOV/PROCUREMENT (eMMA).
State agency (djs.maryland.gov) that buys goods and services through Maryland procurement — exhibited a vendor-outreach table with a Direct Solicitation List sign-up for vendors.
At this conference: Exhibiting on Day 2 with a 'Want to be added to DJS's Direct Solicitation List?' QR sign-up — a concrete on-ramp for small vendors into state agency buying.
Walk away with: Add your firm to the DJS Direct Solicitation List via the QR/online portal so DJS buyers can solicit you directly.
International Franchise Association program that gives veterans discounted franchise purchase opportunities and franchising education with participating brands.
At this conference: Teaching the franchising session 'In Business For Yourself, Not By Yourself.'
Walk away with: Reduced initial franchise fees with participating brands (discounts vary by brand) plus franchising education.
Presenting: Wendy Kunz
Eastern Shore-based nonprofit lender and business-resource organization — microloans, SBA lending support, and counseling for small businesses on the Eastern Shore.
At this conference: On the Day 1 micro-lending access-to-capital panel — directly relevant to Wicomico County businesses.
Walk away with: Microloans and lending prep for Eastern Shore businesses — the closest capital source for Delmar/Wicomico-area firms.
Presenting: Nick Rudolph
Regional bank providing complimentary professional headshots for conference attendees both afternoons (Day 1: 12:00-5:00 PM).
At this conference: Sponsor service — a free professional headshot is useful for LinkedIn, SAM.gov capability statements, and media kits.
Walk away with: A free professional headshot — get it while the photographer's set up (both afternoons).
Find your way around
The campus has four connected buildings: Building 1 (North Hotel Tower), Building 2 (South Hotel Tower — dining room, lobby, banquet space), Building 3 (North Conference/Academic Building — Classroom 2 and A300), Building 4 (South Conference/Academic Building). Buildings 3 and 4 share the main entrance on Maritime Boulevard.
- Track 1 / Start-Up room = A300 (Building 3, upper level, near the auditorium). Track 2 / Established room = Classroom 2 (Building 3, lower level, near the stage and reception area). Check the official signage on arrival — rooms can move.
- Lunch & reception: Dining Room in Building 2 (South Hotel Tower main level), next to the lobby and front desk.
- Lots A-D surround the campus. Lot A is north of Building 3 and closest to the main entrance — follow the signs from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway or Maritime Blvd. The lot near the main entrance is accessible parking-friendly.
- Check in at the main entrance lobby between Buildings 3 and 4. Both session rooms are in Building 3, so once you're in the conference building you won't need to leave it except for lunch.
Map: official Maritime Conference Center campus map from the attendee packet.
This knowledge base is the live demo — a knowledge base, a chatbot, and a signup list built and deployed overnight by a one-veteran studio. See what VES installs
Sources
Agenda, sessions, rooms, and presenter names: official conference agenda and attendee flyer distributed by the Maryland Department of Labor Veteran Program (September 2026). Partner program descriptions: each organization's own website. “Captured on the floor” items and next-events: photographs of slides, table flyers, and QR codes taken at the conference by VES (September 17-18, 2026). KB version 2026-09-19.3. Rooms and times can change — venue signage is the final word.
Independent attendee resource — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or speaking for the Maryland Department of Labor, the Maritime Conference Center, or any resource partner. Nothing here is legal, tax, financial, or medical advice.
Running an event? This can be yours.
This KB was built during the event itself — agenda, venue, partners, chatbot, and signup list — and stays live afterwards as a permanent attendee resource. If you run a conference, training day, or resource fair for veteran or small businesses, Brian will build yours. Ask about it: