Day on the Hill
2025-09-23 08:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, 1st St SE, Washington, DC, 20515, United States
Regional Affiliate Leaders Meet Key Decision Makers on Capitol Hill to Advocate for Minority-Owned Businesses
Join us on the Hill as we call for urgent action to protect and preserve the programs that fuel minority business success. We need champions in Congress, corporate allies, and community advocates to stand with us-loudly and visibly-to defend supplier diversity and economic equity.
We will schedule your meetings and provide talking points for a productive meeting with your representatives.
We will host a prep session prior to September 23rd.
Continental Breakfast & Lunch will be provided.
PLEASE NOTE: REGISTER EACH PERSON THAT WILL BE PARTICIPATING FOR REPORTING AND BADGING.
Travel expense: On your own.

‘Grit City Connect: Construct Your Future’ Networking Event
2025-09-25 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Eastside Community Center, 1721 East 56th Street, Tacoma, WA, 98404, United States
A Networking Event Co-Hosted By City, Parks, And Schools
This forum is designed to:

Facilitate meaningful engagement between prime contractors and potential subcontractors.
Share insights into upcoming projects and procurement
Empowering small businesses by offering technical assistance that addresses the common barriers to capacity building and sustainable growth.
Promote networking and partnerships within our contracting community so do not forget your capabilities statements!

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect directly with public agency staff, prime contractors, and technical assistance providers!
Grit City Connect: Subcontractors Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/g/bKYNLZSeYu?origin=lprLink
If you are a Prime Contractor or provide Technical Assistance in the Public Works arena and you are interested in having a table please contact: Linda Cerna at Lcerna@tacoma.gov or call her at 253-453-9488. Space is limited and we will close the registration window as it fills.

2025 King County Executive's Small Business Awards
2025-10-01 15:00 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Seattle Convention Center, 705 Pike St, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
Join us for the big celebration!
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 3:00–5:30 p.m.
Seattle Convention Center, Summit Building
(900 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101)
Here’s what to look forward to:
· A high-energy performance by the Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline
· Abundant refreshments
· Exhibition tables hosted by finalists and sponsors
· Opportunity to connect with business leaders and community champions from across King County
It’s going to be an inspiring afternoon filled with community spirit, networking, and well-deserved recognition. Come cheer on the finalists, connect with fellow supporters, and help us spotlight the small businesses driving creativity and prosperity across King County.

Pierce County Thriving Together Resource Event Registration
2025-10-08 08:30 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | STAR Center – Journey Hall, 3873 S 66th St, Tacoma, WA, 98409, United States
RESOURCE EVENTS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS & ENTREPRENEURS
Pierce County Community Navigator Program Thriving Together Resource Events are ideal for local small business owners and entrepreneurs to network and learn about the resources available to help businesses thrive in Pierce County. Here’s what attendees can look forward to:

Connecting 1:1 with small business assistance providers
Learning about free, small business programs and assistance
B2B networking encouraged, bring your company’s marketing info for a shared resource table
Light refreshments and free on-site parking

Leadership Awards & Advocacy Ceremony
2025-10-17 18:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Museum of Pop Culture, 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, Washington, 98109, United States
A night of celebration honoring the achievements of MBEs and corporate partners who are making a lasting impact in supplier diversity. This event recognizes those who champion advocacy, leadership, and excellence within the community.

2025 NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange in Miami
2025-11-02 - 2025-11-05 | WA
Join us at the 2025 NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange in Miami, November 2–5, where over four powerful days you’ll engage in candid conversations, gain strategic insights, and find empowerment through thought leadership, equipping you with actionable strategies to transform today’s challenges into tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

Amazon Supplier Development Matchmaker
2025-11-03 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | South Beach
Amazon is hosting a Supplier Development Matchmaker in Miami November 3.
Email rohena@nichemktg.com to register! RSVP by October 15th.

ORCA Business Programs Information Session
2025-12-10 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | https://downtownseattle-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3aefQAyMRrqwz8CHS-Gy7Q#/registration
Start 2026 strong by providing your employees with transportation benefits! In this webinar, we’ll highlight the benefits of ORCA Business Programs, including cost savings, convenience, and environmental benefits, while providing guidance on how to get your team on board with transit benefits.
Tune into our webinar on December 10 at 11 a.m. to learn:

Insights into the benefits of ORCA Business Programs for your organization.

How to navigate between the different options for transit benefits: ORCA Business Passport and ORCA Choice.

How to unlock savings with cost sharing, New Customer Incentives, and using pre-tax money for transit.

Who should attend?
This event is open to anyone who is interested in learning how to provide transit benefits for their workplace including:

HR Professionals responsible for employee benefits

Business owners looking for cost effective transit benefits

Employees interested in affordable transit options

Organizations of all sizes curious about ORCA Business Programs

Interested in a customized consultation? Schedule a call with our team to get dedicated one-on-one support.

Year-End Meeting
2025-12-11 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | NWMMSDC Headquarters, 545 Andover Park W, Tukwila, WA, 98188, United States
A time to reflect on the year’s successes, strategize for the future, and strengthen relationships within the NWMMSDC community.

2025 Year-End Celebration and Accelerator Graduation
2025-12-16 16:00 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Pier 69, 2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
This networking event will begin with a program which will include: – Celebrating the 2025 Business Accelerator Graduating Cohort – A preview of Port opportunities coming up in 2026 – Remarks from Port leadership – Recognition of 2025 Port WMBE partners
Location: Pier 69, 2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121, Seattle, WA 98121
Date and time: Tue, Dec 16, 2025 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

2026 Annual Business Conference
2026-07-08 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | US Bank City Center, 1420 5th Avenue, Suite 226, Seattle,, Washington, 98101, United States
Hosted at the US Bank City Center and Sponsored by US Bank

Register Here

Leadership Development and ﻿ Effectiveness ﻿Workshop
2026-07-30 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/29727407095245?p=tlWXNhDOw8feLMdRtD
We are partnering with Aaliyah Al-Mahdi, founder of What An Idea (WAI) Consulting Group, to bring you a 90-minute virtual workshop designed to help MBEs move beyond operational bottlenecks and become high-performing, prime-ready partners. We would also like to thank McKinstry for sponsoring this workshop!
What you will learn:

From Doer to Visionary CEO: strategies to step out of the day to day grind, set a clear North Star, and delegate effectively so you are not juggling every task
Strategic Goal Setting and Backward Mapping: practical tools for building actionable 1, 3, and 5 year plans that support bigger corporate partnerships and investment readiness

The session includes a 60 minute presentation followed by a 30 minute live Q&A, tailored to where your business is in its lifecycle.

2026 Golf Tournament
2026-08-26 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Washington National, 14330 SE Husky Way, Auburn, WA, 98092, United States
Join us for the 30th Annual Golf Tournament on August 26 at Washington National Golf Club. This milestone year celebrates three decades of investing in the next generation of scholars, and we would love for you to be part of it.
Register Here

2026 Leadership & Advocacy Awards Ceremony
2026-11-06 18:30 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
