The National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) is proud to participate in the inaugural Women Veterans Conference hosted by Veteran 1st, taking place June 8–10, 2026, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This groundbreaking event brings together women veterans, community leaders, advocates, and organizations dedicated to supporting those who have served through education, empowerment, leadership development, wellness, and professional growth.
Representing NVBDC at this important event will be Executive Director Elaine Taylor and Relationship Manager Toni Moses, who will share valuable insights to help veteran entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, expand opportunities, and successfully navigate today’s evolving supplier diversity landscape.
Elaine’s presentation, “The Art of Networking,” will highlight one of the most essential skills for entrepreneurs, building meaningful professional relationships that support long-term growth and success.
Toni will provide a comprehensive overview of the NVBDC SD/VOB certification process, outlining the certification requirements, benefits, and the value certification brings to veteran-owned businesses seeking to increase visibility and access new opportunities.
The Art of Networking: Mastering Presence, Connection, and Lasting Professional Relationships: Elaine Taylor’s Presentation
Drawing upon more than 35 years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, economic development, and organizational leadership, NVBDC’s newly appointed Executive Director, Elaine Taylor will share insights on leadership, the power of building meaningful relationships, and the enduring contributions veterans make throughout their professional and personal lives after military service.
Building a strong professional network will require far more than exchanging business cards or adding contacts on LinkedIn. In her presentation, Taylor will share that successful networking is rooted in authentic relationships, effective communication, and intentional body language.
The session will focus on practical techniques such as confident greetings, meaningful eye contact, professional posture, active listening, and reading nonverbal cues to better understand engagement and openness. Participants will also learn strategies for joining and exiting conversations gracefully, respecting personal space, and leveraging both in-person and virtual networking opportunities.
The overarching message will be clear: people may forget your title or organization, but they will remember how you make them feel, making trust, authenticity, and genuine connection the foundation of lasting professional relationships.
“A Veteran’s military service may have ended, but their ability to lead, inspire, and make an impact never does. Through networking, the relationships you build today can open doors for years to come.”
Understanding the Value of NVBDC Certification
Anthony Moses, NVBDC Relationship Manager, will provide attendees with a comprehensive overview of the benefits of NVBDC certification and how veteran-owned businesses can leverage certification to unlock new opportunities.
His session will cover:
- The importance of third-party veteran business certification
- How NVBDC certification differs from self-certification
- Eligibility requirements and the certification process
- How corporations utilize NVBDC-certified veteran-owned businesses within supplier diversity programs
- Strategies for maximizing certification after approval
- Resources and support available through NVBDC
As the exclusive veteran business certification organization recognized by the Billion Dollar Roundtable, NVBDC connects certified veteran-owned businesses with corporations and government agencies seeking qualified suppliers and service providers. Today, more than 3,000 certified veteran-owned businesses are leveraging certification to increase visibility, credibility, and access to opportunities across the country.
Advancing Opportunities for Women Veterans
The Veteran 1st Women Veterans Conference reflects a shared commitment to empowering veterans through education, leadership development, advocacy, and professional growth. NVBDC is honored to support this mission and help veteran entrepreneurs understand how certification, supplier diversity, and strategic business development can create new pathways to success.
Whether attendees are launching a business, growing an existing company, or exploring new opportunities, the conference provides an ideal platform to connect with experts, build relationships, and gain valuable insights that can support long-term success.
Looking Ahead: NVBDC 3.0
As NVBDC continues to expand its impact and strengthen opportunities for veteran-owned businesses nationally and internationally, we are preparing for one of the most significant milestones in our organization’s history.
Join us October 5–6, 2026, at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, Michigan, for the 2026 NVBDC National Veteran Business Matchmaking Conference, where we will officially unveil NVBDC 3.0 and Mission: POSSIBLE, the next evolution of our mission to connect veteran-owned businesses with corporate, government, and global opportunities.
The launch of NVBDC 3.0 reflects the organization’s strengthened leadership structure and renewed strategic direction following recent organizational growth and transformation efforts. NVBDC leadership is focused on building a stronger, more scalable national platform capable of delivering greater long-term value to certified veteran-owned businesses, corporate members, strategic partners, and the broader supplier procurement ecosystem.
Importantly, it’s not the mission that’s changing, it’s the magnitude of impact. NVBDC is expanding the organization’s mission beyond certification to emphasize the growing role veteran owned businesses play in supplier procurement, workforce modernization, global business connectivity, digital readiness, and enterprise supply chain transformation.
Conference attendees will experience:
- Dynamic keynote presentations
- Industry-leading educational sessions
- One-on-one business matchmaking
- Supplier diversity insights from major corporations
- Veteran business success stories
- Networking opportunities with corporate decision-makers
- A first look at the future direction of NVBDC
Registration for the 2026 National Veteran Business Matchmaking Conference will be opening soon. We encourage veteran business owners, corporate members, supplier diversity professionals, and industry partners to visit the NVBDC Events page for conference updates, announcements, and additional information.
The future of veteran business development is being shaped today, and we invite you to be part of it.
2026 NVBDC National Veteran Business Matchmaking Conference
October 5–6, 2026
MotorCity Casino Hotel | Detroit, Michigan
Mission: Possible. Same Mission. Greater Impact
