Philadelphia Engagement Dinner: July 2026

NVSBC offers our Engagement Dinner event and guest speaker for the veteran entrepreneur and federal small business community.  Come join us for the networking, dinner, and guest speaker! 

NVSBC invite you to the Philadelphia Engagement Dinner, where ALL (NVSBC Members and non-members) are welcome to attend this government contracting focused event.

• Location: Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square, 1800 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
• Parking: Venue Location (Paid/Valet Parking), Local Parking Garage, street parking (please plan accordingly)
  
• Dress Code: Business Casual
• Event POC: Engagement Director, [email protected]

Philadelphia Engagement Dinner Agenda: 

• 530 – 600 PM Registration, Networking
• 600 – 620 PM Call to Order
• Opening Remarks: Lauren Masters, Special Events Director, NVSBC
• 620 – 630 PM Success Spotlight: Dr. Stephannie L. Addo-Zuniga, Principal Owner at ACJ Luxury Maintenance LLC
• 630 – 700 PM Around the Room Introductions
• 700 – 730 PM Dinner Served (Plated)
  
• 730 – 735 PM Guest Speaker Introduction: Lauren Masters, NVSBC
  
• 735 – 815 PM Guest Speaker Presentation + Q&A:
  
• Speaker: Paul Hawkins, Partner, Gentry Locke
  Topic: "Decoding the SBIR/STTR Program"

  • The SBIR and STTR programs have officially been reauthorized through September 30, 2031 and signed into law by President Trump.

    Our guest speaker, Paul Hawkins, Partner, Gentry Locke, will provide a high-level presentation that will provide attendees with the following:

    • Clear overview of the SBIR/STTR Programs — including how these federal innovation programs invest in small business solutions while allowing founders to maintain control of their vision (including non-dilutive funding and enhanced data rights protections).
    • Walkthrough of the three‑phase structure — including strategies to maximize success in Phase III, where commercialization and federal contracting opportunities expand significantly.
    • Eligibility breakdown — ownership, size standards, and affiliation rules, with emphasis on how SBIR/STTR differs from other SBA programs.
    • Key compliance insights — what small businesses must understand about the most important compliance requirements of the program from work performance to protecting data rights.

     This event should be attended by:

    • Veteran‑owned and service‑disabled veteran‑owned small businesses exploring federal funding pathways for innovation.
    • Startups and early‑stage founders seeking non‑dilutive capital to advance research or product development.
    • Small businesses pursuing federal contracts and wanting to understand how SBIR/STTR can open doors to long‑term government customers.
    • Companies in defense, cybersecurity, AI/ML, health tech, energy, manufacturing, or advanced materials looking to scale through federal partnerships.
    • Tech innovators, engineers, and R&D‑driven companies developing new products, prototypes, or emerging technologies.
• 820– 830 PM Closing Remarks (End of Event) & Networking

REGISTER