- April, 2026 -

FEATURED EVENTS

April 21

1401 Tower Avenue – 1st Floor Conference Room

1401 Tower Avenue Superior, 54880 


Small businesses are invited to a focused session on preparing for government contracting opportunities. Learn how to assess whether your business is contract-ready, explore financing options to support growth, and hear the latest update on the Blatnik Bridge project and what it could mean for local firms as well as information on the new DBE recertification/certification process. Walk away with practical insights and clear next steps to compete for public work.


Agenda:

  • 3:00 Host Introductions
  • 3:10 Business Introductions
  • 3:20 SBA updates
  • 3:30 Does Government Contracting Fit Your Business and Q&A – WPI
  • 4:00 Update on The Blatnik Bridge process and DBE update – MNDOT and WISDOT
  • 4:20 Presentation by FACC – Financing
  • 4:50 Event Wrap-up and Networking

April 29

Oshkosh, WI


Presented by the Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) Board of Directors, in partnership with the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Great Lakes Chapter


WPI Board of Directors:

  • Sean Ketter, Oshkosh Corporation
  • V. David Zvenyach, TandemGov
  • Jean Marie Thiel, Belonger Corporation
  • Todd Bentley, Bentley World‑Packaging
  • Aina Vilumsons, Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)
  • Nathaniel Millsap, Fincantieri Marinette Marine
  • Baly Ambegaoker, Breakthrough Technologies for Mission Success (BTMS)
  • Brian Waagner, Husch Blackwell
  • William Hughes, Husch Blackwell (member emeritus)
  • Barb LaMue, Pebble Rock Partners, LLC
  • James Schutt, Schutt Industries
  • Sara Redford, WPS Health Solutions
  • Paul C. Darley, WS Darley & Company
  • Michael Ward, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
  • Jim Segelstrom, McNally Industries

12th Annual DOD Contract Management Update


- Save the Date -

May 21

Appleton, WI


More information will be posted soon at wispro.org/events

GOBC Dates Have Been Announced!


  • June 16 - 115th TRUAX | Madison 
  • July 16 - Volk Field ANG | Camp Douglas 


Government Opportunities Business Conference will be celebrating 20 years! Watch the website for the 2026 schedule. https://wigobc.org/

Presented by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Wisconsin Chapter, this webinar series covers a range of topics from market entry, sales growth, small business certifications, compliance, and more. Attendees receive 1 CPE credit for attending.



Previously Cyber Fridays, Now Thursdays


If you are currently, or are planning to be, a contractor or subcontractor supporting the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) you are required to comply with the newly finalized CMMC requirements. 



  • April 30 – CMMC: Control Set Series: 3.3 Audit and Accountability
  • May 28 – CMMC: Control Set Series: 3.4 Configuration Management

Announcing New Sessions

 

Federal Market Insights is an informal podcast designed to provide valuable information about the government marketplace for businesses interested in government contracting. Each episode is a concise 30-minute session, scheduled at the end of the week. We review noteworthy items published during the week, delve into key topics, and offer background information and perspectives relevant to the government contracting landscape. Stop by, settle in and take-in the conversation.



  • April 7 – Does Your Business Specialize in Critical Technology Areas?
  • April 14 – Unlocking DoD Opportunities for Nontraditional Contractors
  • April 21 – Is It Possible to Create Your Own Contract? Let’s See What FAR 15.6 Says
  • April 28 – Broad Agency Announcements – Seeking Innovative Research and Development (R&D) Ideas
  • May 5 – SAM Data Bank – Follow the Data to Identify Customers
  • May 12 – Navigating the Federal Laboratory Consortium: A Guide for Small Business Innovators
  • May 19 – Federal Innovation Sites Every Inventor Should Know
  • May 26 – IP, Data Rights, and Federal Awards: What Every Company Should Know
  • June 2 – Unsolicited Proposals & NSF Project Pitches: Paths Beyond SBIR Topics


May 5-7

Virtual

May 8

In Person Statewide

As many small business owners will tell you, there’s the part you’re passionate about—and then there’s all the other stuff that comes with owning a business. You know, all the financial, legal, marketing, logistical, and technological work it takes to run a business.


The Lieutenant Governor’s Small Business Academy offers practical advice from business owners who have successfully made it through the initial stages of starting and growing their companies.


If you’re considering starting a business, trying to grow your existing small business, or trying to get an idea or a startup off the ground, take advantage of this free, annual virtual and in-person event. Review the agenda.


This year’s academy, offers online workshops scheduled for May 5-7. Topics include:

  • Financing options
  • Legal concerns
  • Regulatory issues
  • Information technology
  • Small business certifications
  • Identifying markets and sales opportunities


May 8 offers in-person sessions hosted by partner organizations at the following locations across the state: Beloit, Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Lac Du Flambeau, Milwaukee Downtown and Milwaukee South, Madison, Marshfield, and Racine.


If you register to attend in-person programming on Friday, May 8 you will receive a separate email with venue and program details.

May 5

Discovery Building

330 North Orchard Street Madison, 53715

The Great Lakes region can realize big opportunities as fusion energy progresses. Learn more at this premier Fusion Energy Week event.


Fusion energy promises to be a reality in the next decade. To leverage the enormous potential this new industry will create, the Great Lakes region needs to begin preparing now. Learn more at this premier Fusion Energy Week event.


During an informative, highly interactive day you’ll enjoy sessions about business opportunities in and adjacent to this emerging industry and excellent networking.


TIME: 9am – 4pm

AGENDA includes: Exciting and informative keynote speakers; tours of fusion labs and experiments; networking lunch with researchers, industry experts and others; discussions about the global fusion industry’s potential and timeline and how to best position Wisconsin in it; selfies with a surprise guest.


This event is being organized by 5 Lakes Institute in partnership with the UW-Madison College of Engineering and fusion energy community.

ALL EVENTS

Click event title for more information

April









May











Miss one of our sessions? 


LOGIN to the CLIENT DASHBOARD at https://www.wispro.org/wpi-client-dashboard/ for past presentations, podcasts & newsletters. 


If you would like to meet with a WPI Representative, contact us at APEXAccelerator@wispro.org or 414-270-3600


Take a look at our remote office hour schedule at https://www.wispro.org/work-with-wpi/office-hours/


Upcoming WPI Office Hours
Click date to schedule an appointment or request more information

Eau Claire


Fond du Lac


Green Bay


Madison


Manitowoc


Oshkosh


Superior


Additional Statewide dates to be announced soon at wispro.org

Other News & Events

Save the Date

May 5-8

Virtual & In-Person


The Lieutenant Governor’s Small Business Academy offers practical advice from business owners who have successfully made it through the initial stages of starting and growing their companies.



Registration Available Soon

June, 2026

Columbus, Ohio


The DLA Supply Chain Alliance Symposium & Exhibition is hosted by the National Defense Industrial Association in partnership with the Defense Logistics Agency’s supply chains to provide a forum to discuss logistics support strategies and challenges, and to streamline efforts to better support the warfighter. The 2026 event will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, June 2-3, 2026.



The forum draws together government and industry leaders to discuss military sustainment. Dynamic speakers from Industry and Defense with backgrounds in logistics and acquisition, as well as General and Flag Officers from the military services will provide critical perspectives across elements of the end-to-end DOW supply chain along with breakout sessions that will give valuable insight on doing business with DLA.


Registration and more information at DLA Supply Chain Alliance Symposium

WPI 10437 Innovation Dr. Suite 320, Milwaukee, WI 53226 414-270-3600
Newsletter Editor: Doug Clemons, dougc@wispro.org 
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