Small Businesses Invited to the 2026 Burlington Navy Week Event – Doing Business with the Navy and Marine Corps

Burlington, VT – Small businesses throughout New England and New York will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Department of Navy Office of Small Business Programs and representatives from key small business support organizations. The

2026 Navy Week: Doing Business with the Navy and Marine Corps Small Business Workship us being held Wednesday, August 26th at Main Street Landing in Burlington, VT.

The event will provide valuable information for small businesses, covering Department of Navy Office (DON) of Small Business Programs (OSBP) achievements and goals, the Mentor-Protégé Program, preparation for DON procurement process, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, available resources, and more.

“We are very excited to host this unique event as part of Navy Week in Vermont,” said Joanne Spaulding, Director of the Vermont APEX Accelerator.  “It’s an invaluable opportunity for small businesses to connect directly with Navy leaders, learn more about federal contracting opportunities, and gain the knowledge and resources they need to compete for government contracts. We’re proud to help bring this conversation to Vermont businesses and connect them with potential new opportunities with the Navy and Marine Corps.”

The event, hosted by the Vermont APEX Accelerator, in partnership with Department of Navy (DON) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), with participation of Regional APEX Accelerator Programs and the U.S. Small Business Administration is a FREE event for businesses and will run from 8:30 – 1:00pm which will include a networking lunch.  Attendees will hear from key speakers from the Department of Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Submarine Industrial Base (SIB), and Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), and local resource partners.

To register for this event and gather more information, please visit Doing Business with the Navy and Marine Corps.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Denise Nelson:

• Phone: (802) 828-5237
• Email: Denise.Nelson@vermont.gov 

About the Vermont APEX Accelerator: Vermont APEX Accelerator provides Vermont small businesses with an understanding of the requirements of government contracting and the know-how to obtain and successfully perform federal, state, and local contracts through free counseling services, training, and networking opportunities. The center’s mission is to increase the percentage of federal contracts awarded to Vermont businesses with emphasis on contracts awarded to small businesses. Vermont APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense. It is also funded by the VT Department of Economic Development (DED) and operates as a program within the DED.

Vermont APEX Accelerator is part of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD). ACCD’s mission is to help Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities. ACCD accomplishes this mission by providing grants, technical assistance, and advocacy through three divisions: The Department of Economic Development, the Department of Tourism and Marketing, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. Learn more on the Agency of Commerce and Community Development website.