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Virtual unless otherwise noted
Focused Classes | Monthly Meetings | Series Courses | Tradeshows and Conferences
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Positioning Your Business for Success at NASA: Strategy, Structure, and Center-Specific Opportunities
8/19/2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Join NASA as we look ahead to the future of the space economy and the vital role small businesses will play in it. Whether you are new to working with NASA or an experienced partner, this webinar will equip you with valuable insights, resources, and inspiration to compete and thrive. Register and be part of the conversation shaping the next era of space exploration and innovation.
ACOE McChord Fire Station Industry Day
8/27/2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division – Seattle District (NWS) is hosting this Virtual Industry Day to provide additional information and gain feedback from industry on an upcoming requirement for a large military construction project for the construction of a Fire Station located at JBLM, Washington.
DoD Cybersecurity Requirements - CMMC
9/2/2026 2:00 PM - 4:40 PM
Learn about the cybersecurity requirements for DoD and other federal contracting. After you have taken this class you will be to differentiate between CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-171.
Capabilities Statement - Writing for Impact
9/9/2026 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
For firms interested in networking and developing relationships with local, state and federal government agencies. A Capability Statement is like a resume for your business. Get ready to create or improve your firm's capabilities statement to increase your visibility with government agencies. Subject Matter Expert Sandy Bjorgen will lead us through an exercise of writing for impact and being memorable.
Bridge Building Block Session 3 - Avoiding Common Pitfalls
9/15/2026 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Avoid common contracting pitfalls before they impact your bottom line or ability to perform. Led by an experienced attorney, Michael Jonas with Narwhal Law & Business Strategy, who will share real-world guidance on contracts, risk reduction, and protecting your business interests. Additional contributors include Joe Smetak, SBA and Jessica Reese, Tried & True Consulting.
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State Contracting Opportunities & Open House – DES
8/20/2026 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
On the third Thursday of the month, the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) facilitates an interactive conversation with state procurement professionals who can provide information and insight on how to do business with the state.
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Cybersecurity Roundtable for Defense Contractors
8/20/2026 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
CMMC Roundtable: A monthly peer discussion hosted by the Washington APEX Accelerator where defense contractors can connect with APEX advisors and subject matter experts, share challenges, ask questions, exchange best practices, and access trusted resources to support their CMMC compliance journey.
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SBIR Coffee Hour
8/26/2026 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
St. Martins University / Lacey MakerSpace Zaverl Hall and Virtual
New to SBIR/STTR? Have questions about the program?
Get clear, practical answers in plain English at our monthly SBIR/STTR events at Lacey Maker Space. Hosted by Thurston EDC’s Washington APEX Accelerator program’s lead SBIR/STTR advisor, Grady Smith, these sessions are offered as virtual events and in-person events—join live from anywhere or attend at Lacey MakerSpace.
Fast-track your federal funding journey. Details and registration via Thurston EDC’s Washington APEX Accelerator. See you there!
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Wednesday with the Deputy for Small Business - NUWC Keyport
8/26/2026 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Poulsbo, WA and Virtual
An opportunity for Industry partners to learn about doing business with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division, Keyport. Industry will learn about the types of supplies and service contract opportunities, set-aside opportunities, and how to do business with the Command. Industry will also hear from Washington State APEX Accelerator and other Small Business Deputies (if available).
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Oportunidades en Contratación Estatal y Casa Abierta- Reunión Mensual
8/27/2026 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Washington El cuarto jueves de cada mes, el Departamento de Servicios Empresariales del Estado de Washington (DES) organiza una jornada de puertas abiertas y oportunidades de contratación estatal.
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Contracting Coffee Hour
9/2/2026 | 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
If you want the inside scoop on what it takes to win government contracts, we invite you to attend our Contractor Coffee Hour.
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University of Washington Virtual Workshops for Suppliers
9/3/2026 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The orientations will provide a learning opportunity to assist in navigating potential business prospects at the University and with other state agencies, as well as educational and other resources to assist businesses.
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APEX & SBDC First Friday Follow-Up
9/4/2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Friday Follow-up is an open forum, round table for businesses to get answers from your local APEX and SBDC Advisors. Bring your questions regarding government contracting and learn from knowledgeable Small Business Experts. Our main focus is to share resources for growing your business.
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First Fridays: Doing Business with the City of Seattle
9/4/2026 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Join us at for our “First Fridays” online Doing Business with the City of Seattle event to meet Purchasing and Contracting staff who are part of our purchasing, consultant contracting and construction/public works teams.
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Cómo Hacer Negocios Con La Ciudad De Seattle
9/4/2026 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
¿Está interesado en hacer negocios con la ciudad de Seattle? ¿Le gustaría aprender más sobre compras y contrataciones con la ciudad de Seattle? Entonces acompáñenos para recibir información sobre cómo hacer negocios con la ciudad de Seattle.
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APEX: Prime Connect
9/9/2026 | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
A structured matchmaking event for Primes and Subcontractors to connect with primes about future projects.
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Local Government Purchasing & MRSC Rosters
9/9/2026 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This session will explore how local government agencies find businesses to buy from and how they use the Rosters to hire consultants, purchase public works, goods, and services including maintenance services.
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CMMC Level 1 (Department of War Cybersecurity) Readiness Workshop Series
If your business is pursuing or performing on Department of War contracts, you now need to be CMMC Level 1 compliant.
The Basics: as a federal government contractor, supplier, or vendor, you handle Federal Contract Information (FCI), and you must comply with the basic contractor cybersecurity requirements listed in the FAR 52.204-21 clause. As of November 10, 2025 contractors working in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) will have to complete a self-assessment and affirm they meet these requirements as part of a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1 and 2 self-assessment.
WA APEX Accelerator will guide you through CMMC Level 1 requirements so you can successfully address the cybersecurity practices and perform the self-assessment in accordance with the FAR 52.204-21 regulations.
Course Timeline, Delivery and Commitment
The workshop consists of a kickoff webinar plus three (3) 1.5-hour presentation sessions, one per week over the course of three (3) weeks.
Lectures will be distributed on Mondays as on-demand video recordings.
On Friday each week the instructor will conduct a live 1-hour Q&A session.
Live Q&A
Participants must commit to participating in all three weeks of the course, including the live 1-hour Q&A sessions.
September Cohort is open for registration
*Course Cost: The course fee is $200 per person per company.
Session starts July 10th
Read more about the series
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DIB Accelerator 2026: Revolutionizing Defense Investment
8/25/2026 see site for details
Philadelphia, PA
Ideal for innovators transitioning their product to commercialization into the Defense marketplace, attendees at this conference will connect with Department of War leaders, program offices, investors, industry partners, and fellow Defense Industrial Base stakeholders.
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Central Washington Regional Contracting Forum (RCF) - Yakima
9/3/2026 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Yakima, WA
Save the Date for the Annual Regional Contracting Forum (RCF) in Yakima, WA. This trade event is focused on Contractors, Architects and Engineering firms, Vendors, and Consultants
Offered in Spanish and English.
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Meet the Agencies and Primes - Whatcom & Skagit Counties
9/15/2026 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Bellingham, WA
Bringing local government buyers and businesses together to network and learn. At this Meet the Agencies and Primes event, connect with buyers from agencies in Whatcom and Skagit Counties and prime contractors on public works projects. Exhibitor hall, panel discussions and informal networking.
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Plane, Trains and Automobiles
9/17/2026 1200 PM - 5:00 PM Seattle
Are you a diverse or small business in the construction or architecture and engineering field? Come and hear from the Port of Seattle, Sound Transit, and WSDOT on how (certified and non-certified) small business can do business with each agency!
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Washington Small Business Fair 2026
9/19/2026 11:00 AM - 3:45 PM Puyallup
BizFair is the must-attend event for current and aspiring small business owners! As the longest-running government and nonprofit-run small business fair in Washington State, BizFair is always FREE and open to everyone.
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Goods and Services Vendors Day - Port of Seattle
9/29/2026 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Seattle ,WA
An opportunity to meet and connect with purchasers from across the Port, and share with them your incredible products and services!
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2026 Regional Contracting Forum
10/7/2026 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Auburn
Celebrating 23 years of impact, Regional Contracting Forum 2026 connects small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses with government purchasers.
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Meet the Contractors
10/8/2026 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Vancouver
Save the Date
Network with primes, subs, and DBEs, focused on the upcoming Interstate Bridge Replacement Project and other general public works projects. Hear directly from industry experts about what it takes to compete on this major project, gain insights on transitioning from sub to prime, and connect with key resource organizations like Washington APEX Accelerator, the IBR, WSDOT, TriMet, SWCA and NAMC, and many more!
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2026 North Puget Sound Contracting Conference
10/28/2026 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Lynnwood
Showcase your organization at the largest business-to-government conference in the North Puget Sound Region. Access panel discussions, industry forecasts, networking opportunities, and matchmaking!
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Meet the BIGS! Doing Business with the Government 2026
11/19/2026 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Airway Heights
Small Businesses: You’ll have the chance to network with the largest government purchasers in our area, like Fairchild Air Force Base and the US Forest Service, as well as large prime contractors doing millions of dollars of work with the government every year.
Prime Contractors and Agencies: Whether you are looking to expand your pool of suppliers and subcontractors, or you need to meet your small business/outreach goals, MTB will give you the opportunity to meet and talk about doing business with hundreds of local small businesses from a variety of industries.
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Washington APEX Accelerator provides technical assistance to help Washington businesses successfully compete in the government marketplace. This APEX Accelerator is funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.
A program of the Thurston Economic Development Council, in partnership with the following subcenters:
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