The schedule · Thursday, Oct 22, 2026
Less talk.
More execution.
Doors open at 7:30 AM at 500 Pearl Street. Three fireside chats, two rounds of bootcamps, sponsor and community partner tables on the floor all morning, then at 2:30 PM the room turns into the Afterglow.
7:30
Doors open
4
Bootcamps
3
Fireside chats
Headliner · 9:00 AM
Presenting the cohort certificates
Senator April N.M. Baskin
New York State Senate · 63rd District
Chair, Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business
Serves on the Senate Procurement and Contracts Committee
“Certification should be the beginning of an opportunity, not a piece of paper that sits in a folder.”
“Throughout my public service, I have worked to expand access to government contracting for MWBEs and SDVOBs, and this conference gives business owners the tools, connections, and knowledge they need to compete and grow. I’m proud to support Talia Johnson-Huff and this important work.”
All day
One-on-ones with Empire State Development
Certification support runs all day by appointment, separate from the bootcamp rooms.
7:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Sponsor & community partner tables on the floor
Our sponsors and community partners are set up on the floor from 7 AM until 2:30 PM — stop by between sessions.
7:30 AM
Doors open
8:00 AM
to 8:30 AM
Registration, networking & breakfast
8:30 AM
to 9:00 AM
Main Ballroom
Welcome remarks & color guard ceremony
Opening remarks from U.S. Congressman Tim Kennedy and elected officials.
9:00 AM
to 9:30 AM
Headliner · Main Ballroom
Readiness Standard™ Cohort Graduation
Senator April Baskin presents the cohort certificates.
9:30 AM
to 10:10 AM
Panel 1 · Fireside chat
The Buyer Blueprint Fireside Chat
Led by the Buffalo Purchasing Initiative, featuring the University at Buffalo, Roswell Park, KeyBank and small diverse businesses on how they contract with large organizations. Giving you the blueprint.
10:30 AM
to 11:10 AM
Breakout 1 · four bootcamps at the same time · pick one
Build The Bid and Make Sure It Pays
Can Your Business Grow Beyond You?
AI at Work
Work The Room
All four bootcamps run again in Breakout 2, so you can take two.
11:30 AM
to 12:10 PM
Panel 2 · Fireside chat
Beyond The Checkbox Fireside Chat
Construction firms and the M/WBE and SDVOB businesses they work with talk about the relationships behind the contracts.
12:30 PM
to 1:10 PM
Breakout 2 · four bootcamps at the same time · pick one
Build The Bid and Make Sure It Pays
Can Your Business Grow Beyond You?
AI at Work
Work The Room
Pick a different room from Breakout 1.
1:30 PM
to 2:30 PM
Lunch + main panel
Untapped Opportunities Fireside Chat
The industries, supply chains and contracts to prepare for now. Where does your business fit in the next economy?
2:30 PM
to 5:00 PM
The floor transforms
The Afterglow — Afterparty & Networking Happy Hour
The floor becomes the Small Business Marketplace, with DJ Kenny Kutz in the room.
Small Business Marketplace
DJ Kenny Kutz
Photo booth
Bar
Networking
Community Giveback kick-off
Times may shift slightly on the day.
One room. {{ daysLeft }} days to go.
General Admission $35, meals included · Students $15 · Team of four $120 · VIP $75
Get my ticket →info@therareplace.org · (716) 989-6923