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Upcoming Workshops
List of upcoming in-person and virtual workshopsWorkshop Tracks
A set course of workshops based on a specific area of needOn-Demand Webinar Library
Library of past live-stream webinarsPrograms
Start Up Day
Starting a business? Learn & launch your business on Start Up Day!LEADING EDGE™ for Entrepreneurs
A 9-week business development courseLEADING EDGE™ for Childcare Providers
A 6-six week program for childcare providersLEADING EDGE™ for Transportation
A 9-week course for the highway design and construction industryEastern Plains
Consulting and training for businesses on the eastern plainsCyber: CYA
Consulting and training focusing on all aspects of cyber securitySBDC TechSource
A program focused on commercialization and cybersecurity educationConnect2DOT
Consulting and training for small businesses in the transportation industryVeterans Program
Consulting and training for veterans and their familiesSouthern Colorado Mental Health Business Partnership
Help for businesses to identify and build their resiliencyEvents
Small Business Week
April 29 - May 3, 2024Workshops and events designed to educate, celebrate and champion local small businessesSouthern Colorado Construction Forum
June 6, 2024An insider look at upcoming construction projects in the areaBusiness Summit for Childcare Providers
June 29, 2024A professional development event for home and center-based child care providers to help strengthen business practices in an ever changing landscape.Veteran's Small Business Conference
November 1, 2024The state's premier training event for veteran entrepreneurs - Small Business Resources
Veterans Small Business Conference
Friday, November 1, 2024
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Great Wolf Lodge
9494 Federal Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
$129
The 17th Annual Veterans Small Business Conference, held on November 1, 2024 at Great Wolf Lodge, was a tremendous success! This premier event for veteran entrepreneurs brought together expert speakers from across the country, offering invaluable training sessions and hosting an impressive lineup of exhibitors. Veterans, their business partners, and spouses at every stage of their entrepreneurial journeys found tailored insights and practical guidance.
Aspiring business owners learned how to leverage their skills to lay strong foundations for new ventures, while established business operators explored growth opportunities in government contracting, marketing, certifications, and more. Attendees visited exhibitor booths, engaged with nationally recognized speakers, and connected with roundtable hosts dedicated to supporting veteran entrepreneurs.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year’s conference unforgettable!
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conference agenda
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31
1:00 pm | VIP Reception |
Friday, November 1
7:00 AM | REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST |
8:00 AM |
WELCOME REMARKS Melissa Henry, KKTV Lindsey Collins, Huntington National Bank Aikta Marcoulier, U.S. Small Business Administration |
8:20 AM |
OPENING KEYNOTE Damian McCabe, UCHealth |
8:35 AM |
PANEL: MENTAL HEALTH Ray Cameron |
9:15 AM |
BREAKOUT SESSIONS Hiring & Retaining the Best Employees Sara Frey, Hiring Our Heros Petra Randol, Pikes Peak Workforce Center Branding & Marketing Colin Christie, Neon Pig Creative |
10:30 AM |
BREAKOUT SESSIONS Finding the Funding You Need Robert Burgan, Colorado Enterprise Fund Mark Hall, Vectra Bank Dave Kruth, Huntington National Bank Trademarks, Patents & Certifications Andra Hargrave, Global Sales Advisors Molly Kocialski, US Patent & Trademark Office |
11:30 am | LUNCH & EXHIBITOR HALL |
12:30 PM |
LUNCH KEYNOTE Robert Patton, Sheath Underwear Introduction by Paul Price, Mt. Carmel |
1:00 PM |
PANEL: CEO MINDSET
Enrique Camacho, Model Citizen Coffee Paul Hasty, Tint Technologies |
1:45 PM |
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
How To Work with the Government Jim Kidd, Colorado PTAC/APEX Ross Morrell, Catalyst Campus Justin Smith, U.S. Small Business Company Culture: Create a Thriving Workplace Reanna Werner, HR Branches |
3:00 PM |
GENERAL SESSION
Anthony Perez, Revenue Accelerator, Inc. |
3:45 PM |
CLOSING REMARKS Azarel Madrigal, Minority Business Office |
speakers
Robert Burgan
Community Loan Officer, Colorado Enterprise Fund
Enrique Camacho
Owner, Model Citizen Coffee
Ray Cameron
Colin Christie
Partner / Creative Director, Neon Pig Creative
Lindsey Collins
Branch Manager, Business Banking Specialist, Huntington National Bank
Mark Hall
Regional Retail Manager, SVP, Vectra Bank Colorado
Andra Hargrave
Partner, Global Sales Advisors
Paul Hasty
Owner, Tint Technologies
Melissa Henry
KKTV
Jim Kidd
Senior Procurement Counselor, Colorado APEX Accelerator
Molly Kocialski
Regional Director, Rocky Mountain U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Dave Kruth
Colorado Retail Branch Director, Huntington National Bank
Azarel Madrigal
Director, Minority Business Office
Aikta Marcoulier
Region VIII Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration
Damian McCabe
Mental Health and Behavior, UCHealth
Ross Morrell
Director of Growth & Innovation, Catalyst Campus; Co-Founder, M2 Ventures; President, AFCEA Rocky Mountain Chapter
Robert Patton
Owner, SHEATH Underwear
Anthony Perez
Owner, Revenue Accelerator, Inc.
Paul Price
Senior Leader, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center
Petra Randol
Business Specialist, Pikes Peak Workforce Center
Justin Smith
Business Opportunity Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration
Reanna Werner
Chief Problem Solver & Founder, HR Branches
exhibitors
sponsors
hosted by
patron sponsor
media sponsor
tv sponsor
volunteer sponsor