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Alliance Northwest 2026 Early Bird Registration is Open!
For four decades, Alliance Northwest has helped thousands of small businesses connect with government agencies, prime contractors, and resource partners. It’s where new opportunities begin; contracts take shape, and relationships grow that strengthen the entire region.
Why Attend?
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Connect directly with government agencies and prime contractors through 1:1 matchmaking
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Learn from experts in workshops covering cybersecurity, innovation, and defense contracting
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Explore opportunities in the bustling exhibit hall featuring agencies, primes, and small businesses
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Celebrate 40 years of partnership at our special Anniversary Reception on March 25
Early bird registration prices are available through January 16, 2026.
OMWBE certified businesses are eligible for a 50% discount!
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Financial Freedom Bootcamp: Simple Steps to Organize Your Business Finances
Attend a powerful virtual session designed to help you gain control of your business finances and position your company for growth and sustainability.
When: November 20, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Where: Online
Contact: Jonté Robinson jonte@jmichell.com
During this interactive bootcamp, you’ll learn:
- How to organize your financial systems for success
- Practical tools to simplify your bookkeeping
- Proven strategies to strengthen your business foundation
This event is part of the Veteran Financial Empowerment Initiative, empowering veteran-owned businesses through financial education and resources.
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In today’s uncertain contracting environment, small businesses face shifting budgets, delayed payments, and changing federal priorities. This session offers practical strategies to navigate and sustain your operations when times get tough.
Participants will learn how to manage cash flow, maintain compliance, strengthen client relationships, and prepare for recovery once the market stabilizes. Whether you're adjusting to a federal shutdown or broader economic pressures, this discussion will help you plan ahead and protect your business.
When: November 20, 2025 | 2PM - 3:30PM
Where: Online
Contact: James Davis davis@kitsapeda.org
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Join the upcoming webinar with Strategic Business Solutions and Harborbridge and learn strategies to diagnose and address workforce developmental needs to improve delivery and capacity for infrastructure contracts.
Washington state's infrastructure sector is experiencing a boom in large projects -- from $10 billion in wastewater infrastructure upgrades to a combined $91 billion in transportation projects. To effectively service this need, Washington contractors and trades must have teams with not just the tools and technical skills, but the people and leadership skills to deliver.
In this webinar, you will learn the critical developmental gaps facing today's infrastructure workforce and how you can best prepare your team to overcome these challenges. Harborbridge and Strategic Business Solutions are two local, women-owned consultancies working with Washington state infrastructure and specialize in providing training in leadership, project management and change management. They are working together to address the workforce developmental needs to increase Washington jobs and economic growth for local businesses.
When: Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 11AM-12PM
Where: Online (register to attend)
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FORMA Connects brings together subcontractors, suppliers, and community partners to learn about and engage with the LEAF Center (Lacey Education And Family Center) project. This is an innovative new facility for North Thurston Public Schools that will serve as a hub for family engagement, student services, and community learning.
This event will focus entirely on the LEAF project, offering an in-depth look at project details, delivery approach, bid package structure, and inclusion goals.
You’ll hear directly from the project and design team about opportunities to participate and next steps to get involved.
You’ll Learn
- LEAF Center project overview and community impact
- Design and logistics details directly from the project team
- GCCM (General Contractor/Construction Manager) delivery method and how it supports collaboration
- Project bid packages and inclusion goals
- Upcoming bid dates, site walks, and registration steps
Who Should Attend
- Certified MBE, WBE, DBE, SBE, and veteran-owned firms
- Small business owners interested in FORMA projects
- Subcontractors and suppliers seeking to partner on the LEAF Center
- Firms exploring certification or prequalification
- Community partners supporting diverse participation
When: December 4, 2025 | 3:30PM - 5:30PM
Where: Hybrid - FORMA Olympia office
Contact: Marissa Woodard-Nave outreach@formacc.com
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It’s open enrollment! Help your employees stay healthy by connecting them to the health insurance they need.
Open enrollment is Nov. 1– Jan. 15 for Washingtonians to sign up for health and dental insurance on Washington Healthplanfinder for the 2026 plan year. Shop, compare and select a plan that fits your budget and health care needs.
Through Washington Healthplanfinder, eligible customers can access federal tax credits and Cascade Care Savings, a state subsidy, to lower their monthly cost of insurance. Visit wahealthplanfinder.org to learn more about available savings and find the right plan for you!
Need help? Trusted resources in your community are available to help explain coverage options, financial assistance and enroll in coverage for no additional cost!
Small Business owners don’t forget to share this information with your employees and ensure they have the coverage they need for 2026!
Questions on how you can support your employees sign up for health coverage? Contact smallbusiness@wahbexchange.org.
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Food insecurity is a growing problem for folks all across the nation. In Washington State, estimates suggest that 9.5% of Washington households experienced food insecurity between 2021-2023 and the number is rising. You can find more recent and detailed information about how hunger is impacting families through the WAFOOD Brief 16 - a study published in February 2025.
Washington State Office of Equity has created a page addressing food insecurity with a resource list of food programs throughout the state. If you or someone you know is currently experiencing food insecurity, please check out their page with links and be sure to send this helpful information to folks who need it.
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New Certifications
52 businesses obtained OMWBE certification in October! We share these monthly lists of newly certified firms with our contract and procurement contacts at State Agencies and Institutions of Higher Education.
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