Opportunities

Furniture Manufacturing Expo

Furniture Manufacturing Expo is the opportunity to take part in the only trade show in North America showcasing the largest gathering of suppliers and the latest solutions for manufacturers of furniture.

Over two days, attendees have the chance to engage with exhibiting suppliers and see first-hand the latest innovative products, equipment, and machinery as well as gain a better understanding of the services and new technology making a critical impact on warehousing, logistics, finance, and the bottom line.

NCMMI Southeastern Listening Session

NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES), UNC-Wilmington, the Office of Representative David Rouzer, and the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) are hosting a North Carolina Maritime Manufacturing Initiative (NCMMI) Regional Listening Session for Congressional District 7.

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 10 a.m.

Advanced Textiles Expo

Strengthening America’s Submarine Industrial Base: Opportunities for North Carolina Manufacturers

Connecting North Carolina manufacturers to the nation’s submarine supply chain through the North Carolina Maritime Manufacturing Initiative (NCMMI).

The United States is expanding its Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) to meet growing national defense requirements, creating significant opportunities for North Carolina manufacturers.

Understanding the Basics of Government Contracting: From Opportunity to Award

North Carolina SBTDC’s Government Contracting Assistance Program presents GovCon Connect Series on contracting fundamentals.

Finding an opportunity is only the first step. Learn how to understand common government solicitation types, identify key requirements and evaluation criteria, and use a practical Go/No-Go approach to determine which opportunities deserve your time and resources.

From Innovation to National Security: Understanding the OTA Pathway

Do you have a technology that could solve a national security problem but unsure of how to get it in front of the right government organization, find funding, or navigate the path from prototype to commercialization?

Join the NCMBC for this training that will demystify the federal innovation ecosystem and show North Carolina companies, researchers, startups, and technology developers how Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) can provide a faster, more flexible pathway to develop and demonstrate new capabilities.

SAME Omaha Post / APEX Accelerator – Virtual Matchmaking Event – October 15, 2026

SAME Omaha Post, in partnership with the Nebraska APEX Accelerator, is hosting Prime Connections: SAME Virtual Industry Matchmaker 2026, a virtual matchmaking event designed to connect prime contractors with small businesses and other potential subcontractors.  We are excited to invite you to participate in this event and connect with businesses that may support your current and future contracting needs.

Mid-Atlantic Small Business Outreach + Industry Day

Join us at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, VA, February 22 – 24, 2027, for the 2027 SAME Mid-Atlantic Small Business Outreach + Industry Day, hosted by the Hampton Roads, Coastal Carolina, Virginia Peninsula, and Central Virginia Society of American Military Engineers Posts. 

6th Annual North Carolina Cybersecurity Symposium

THEME: Securing North Carolina’s Critical Infrastructure

The Annual North Carolina Cybersecurity Symposium brings together educators, researchers, industry professionals, public-sector leaders, and students who share a commitment to making our state more cyber secure.

The symposium’s distinctive focus is the intersection of education, research, and industry: applying academic insight to real-world challenges and preparing the people who will continue this work.

MFGDAY Event

Please join us for a MFGDAY celebration event at Dell Technologies.  The event will be held at Dell, located at 5800 Technology Drive, Apex, NC 27539.

U.S. DOT’s Veteran Owned Small Business Summit

Date:        November 17, 2026

Cost:         FREE – Registration is required!

Location:  U.S. DOT Headquarters

Format:    In-person

In observance of Veterans Day, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), in partnership with the Department of War’s Office of Industrial Base Growth and Small Business Administration’s Office of Veterans Business Development, will host a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Summit on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.

Defense on Tap – Southern Pines

The National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) and Aegis Power Systems are bringing Defense on Tap to Southern Pines for an evening built around one of the most powerful forces in national security:

The right people, in the right room, having the right conversations.

Office of Small Business Programs Networking Event 2026

Purpose
SOFWERX, in coordination with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), will provide a networking opportunity for Small Businesses with capabilities that support National Security Interests and/or the USSOCOM mission to engage with Government Stakeholders, Prime Contractors, and Investors in the form of “Speed Dating.”

DMVA Roadshow 2026: Unlock the Veteran & MilSpouse Advantage for Your Business

About the Roadshow

North Carolina businesses are coming together to unlock the power of veteran and military-spouse talent. The Unlock the Veteran & MilSpouse Advantage Roadshow is a statewide series connecting employers, workforce leaders, and community partners to explore how hiring from the military community strengthens our workforce, economy, and your company’s bottom line.

Drone Days with Raven Advisory

Calling all drone enthusiasts — get ready to fly — Drone Days lands September 15–17, 2026. Network with industry leaders and experience the latest technology by signing up via the RSVP link below.

Sep 15, 2026, 10:00 AM – Sep 17, 2026, 4:30 PM

Raven Advisory DOME – Gryphon Group, 16780 Airbase Rd, Maxton, NC 28364, USA

Register

Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health – FASTPASS Program

• TA1 – SAMPLE: Develop advanced through-packaging sensing technologies to evaluate the chemical makeup of a product using spectrographic or other non-contact, non-destructive means.

North Carolina Coalition for Defense Research Hybrid Event: Army FUZE, XTech & Pathway for Innovation Technology Discussion

This event has been postponed to late fall.

This event is co-sponsored by the NC CDR, UNC’s Office of Research Development, Innovate Carolina, and the North Carolina Military Business Center to advance the collaboration among NC University researchers, the NC Innovation ecosystem, and the Defense sector to better identify, understand and pursue research in support of national defense. 

America’s Seed Fund SBIR/STTR Innovation Conference

This three-day event is designed for high-growth startups and small businesses seeking to secure non-dilutive funding – the nation’s largest source of such capital. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage directly with representatives from the 11 federal agencies participating in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

2026 ALA Annual National Conference and Professional Development Forum

Join the American Logistics Association (ALA) for the 2026 National Conference — our annual event bringing together leaders from the military resale and quality-of-life ecosystem, including industry partners, government agencies, and military services.

ALA has a long tradition of being in the right place at the right time and serving as the focal point for partnership and representation in the military marketplace.

TechTextil North America

As North America’s premier event for technical textiles and nonwovens, Techtextil North America unites every segment of the industry—from research and innovation to sourcing, manufacturing, finishing, and recycling—empowering professionals to discover solutions, build partnerships, and stay ahead of what’s next.

When.

USACE Charleston & Savannah Districts Virtual Industry Day

Charleston and Savannah Districts are hosting a Virtual Industry Day on 20 August 2026 at 10:00AM!

Click on the link below to join the session:

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join: https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/meet/993673710320?p=TCJcr99wQsGUtw8F8p

Meeting ID: 993 673 710 320

Passcode: 7un7Qy3d

Dial in by phone

+1 503-207-9433,,592668394# United States, Beaverton

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 592 668 394#

Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge – Industry Day

AFFOA, in partnership with the Capability Program Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (CPE CBRND), and SPARK, CPE CBRND’s Innovation Incubator, invites textile manufacturers, material innovators, research organizations, industry, government partners, and end users to participate in Industry Day for the Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge, sponsored by SPARK, CPE CBRND’s Innovation Incubator.

Effectively Presenting Your Business to the Government, Military & Prime Contractors

This training focuses on real world tips, tricks, tools and lessons learned on how to effectively market a business to federal customers. It also focuses on techniques to market a business to federal prime contractors, in anticipation of teaming on current and future opportunities.

Introduction to Federal Contracting For the Small Business Owner

Selling or providing services to the federal government can create valuable opportunities for small businesses, but there are specific requirements that must be met before pursuing federal contracts.

Join this webinar to learn about the requirements for becoming a federal contractor, gain practical guidance on getting started, and get answers from subject matter experts.

DMVA Roadshow 2026: Unlock the Veteran & MilSpouse Advantage for Your Business

About the Roadshow

North Carolina businesses are coming together to unlock the power of veteran and military-spouse talent. The Unlock the Veteran & MilSpouse Advantage Roadshow is a statewide series connecting employers, workforce leaders, and community partners to explore how hiring from the military community strengthens our workforce, economy, and your company’s bottom line.

National Veterans Small Business Engagement (NVSBE) 2026

This year’s theme — Show Up. Connect. Own the Opportunity. — captures the spirit of what NVSBE is all about. It is a call to action for every Veteran entrepreneur and small business owner to step forward, build meaningful connections, and seize the contracting opportunities that await.

People Side of Government Sales: Building Relationships, Connecting with Buyers (online)

The U.S. Federal Government is the world’s largest customer – and small businesses are a critical part of its supply chain. But breaking into federal contracting can feel overwhelming without a roadmap.

The Government Contracting Foundations Series is designed for small businesses that are curious about federal work but don’t know where to start.

Setting Up for Contracting Success: Tools and Systems You Need (online)

The U.S. Federal Government is the world’s largest customer – and small businesses are a critical part of its supply chain. But breaking into federal contracting can feel overwhelming without a roadmap.

The Government Contracting Foundations Series is designed for small businesses that are curious about federal work but don’t know where to start.

Federal Sales Cycle: Understanding The Government Timeline to Make a Sale

Capability Statements: Your One-Page Business Pitch for the Government

The U.S. Federal Government is the world’s largest customer – and small businesses are a critical part of its supply chain. But breaking into federal contracting can feel overwhelming without a roadmap.

The Government Contracting Foundations Series is designed for small businesses that are curious about federal work but don’t know where to start.