2025 MDOT Small Business Symposium

Schedule

Sun, 19 Oct, 2025 at 05:00 pm to Mon, 20 Oct, 2025 at 03:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel | Grand Rapids, MI

Advertisement
A free in-person symposium for Michigan transportation-industry businesses.
About this Event

The State of Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is proud to host the 2025 Small Business Symposium. Individuals and businesses who work in the Michigan transportation sector are welcome to attend.

Hotel reservations made be made at a special rate of $98.00/night by purchasing a room through the following link:

Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Small Business Symposium

Hotel reservations must be made by September 28th, 2025 in order to receive the special nightly rate.

If you are interested in purchasing a vendor table or supporting us by sponsoring this event, please contact Nicole Dungey at (517) 241-3617, or [email protected].


Sunday October 19, 2025

๐Ÿ•‘: 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Early Bird Registration
๐Ÿ•‘: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Small Business Networking Dinner

Info: An opportunity for business and industry leaders to network over a light dinner.


Monday October 20, 2025

๐Ÿ•‘: 08:00 AM - 01:30 PM
Registration Opens
๐Ÿ•‘: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast
๐Ÿ•‘: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Symposium Welcome

Info: Symposium welcome, including updates from the Michigan Department of Transportation, and the MDOT Office of Business Development.


๐Ÿ•‘: 10:00 AM - 11:10 AM
Proposal Writing for Consultants

Info: *Concurrent Workshops* Proposal Writing for Consultants: Understanding RFPs, Selection, and Prequalification for Consultants: This session will help participants understand where to find MDOT Requests for Proposals (RFP), how to submit a proposal, MDOT's processes for scoring proposals and selection, when prequalification is needed, and where to find related resources.


๐Ÿ•‘: 10:00 AM - 11:10 AM
MDOT Office of Business Development Update

Info: * Concurrent Workshops* This session will give updates to the Office of Business Development, this session is beneficial to DBE/SBPs and Stakeholders however all is welcome!


๐Ÿ•‘: 10:00 AM - 11:10 AM
Construction Field Services Update

Info: *Concurrent Workshops* This workshop will provide information regarding MDOTโ€™s Prevailing Wage, Prompt Pay, Subcontract and LCP Tracker requirements.


๐Ÿ•‘: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
On-The-Job Trainee Summit (for OJT members only)
๐Ÿ•‘: 11:20 AM - 12:30 PM
Local Business Opportunities

Info: *Concurrent Workshop* Come learn about other contracting opportunities outside of the Michigan Department of Transportation. Representatives from agencies in the Grand Rapids and surrounding areas will be present to discuss upcoming business opportunities and how to bid on them.


๐Ÿ•‘: 11:20 AM - 12:30 PM
Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch

Info: *Concurrent Workshop* Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch: Elevate your Business introduction to spark conversation for future potential business opportunities.


๐Ÿ•‘: 11:20 AM - 12:30 PM
Reading Plans, Proposals, and Specs.

Info: *Concurrent Workshop* How to Read MDOT Plans, Proposals, and Standard Specifications: This session will provide information on reading MDOT plans, proposals, and standard specifications, the MDOT eProposal site and navigating MDOTโ€™s website for these resources.


๐Ÿ•‘: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch and Keynote Address
๐Ÿ•‘: 01:45 PM - 03:00 PM
DBE Stakeholder Meeting (by invite only)

Info: *Concurrent Workshop*


๐Ÿ•‘: 01:45 PM - 03:00 PM
Certifications (DBE/SBE/MPP)

Info: *Concurrent Workshops* Certifications (DBE/SBE/MPP): Learn how to become certified as a Michigan Unified Certified Program (MUCP) applicant. This session will help participants understand the criteria to apply for SBE/DBE/MMP, requirements for MDOTโ€™s prequalification, understanding MDOT work categories and where to find related resources- www.michigan.gov/mucp. Learn how certification status as an MBE or WBE firm can grant you Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) status through a one-stop process.


๐Ÿ•‘: 01:45 PM - 03:00 PM
MDOT Office of Business Development Update

Info: * Concurrent Workshops* This session will give updates to the Office of Business Development, this session is beneficial to DBE/SBPs and Stakeholders however all is welcome!


Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel, 5700 28th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00

Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Business Development

Host or Publisher Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Business Development

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Grand Rapids

Bite Club Weeks 1\/2
Sun, 19 Oct at 12:00 pm Bite Club Weeks 1/2

13648 Ironwood Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49544

CONTESTS DOG
Heather Carlson
Sun, 19 Oct at 12:00 pm Heather Carlson

Evereve (3357 Century Center Street SW, Grand Rapids, MI)

KIDS
Benefit Dinner for Destinie Hendee
Sun, 19 Oct at 01:00 pm Benefit Dinner for Destinie Hendee

Eastern Avenue Hall. 506 Eastern Ave N.E.

SPORTS MUSIC
Hand & Foot Canasta
Sun, 19 Oct at 01:00 pm Hand & Foot Canasta

404 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI, United States, Michigan 49503

GR Salsa Social - October Edition
Sun, 19 Oct at 06:00 pm GR Salsa Social - October Edition

St. Adalbert's Aid Society - Fifth Street Hall

ENTERTAINMENT DANCE
History\u2019s a Drag Ball
Sun, 19 Oct at 06:00 pm Historyโ€™s a Drag Ball

Fulton Street Pub & Grill

PERFORMANCES ENTERTAINMENT
Cage The Elephant
Sun, 19 Oct Cage The Elephant

GLC Live at 20 Monroe

MUSIC
Cage The Elephant, hey, nothing, Vlad Holiday in Grand Rapids
Sun, 19 Oct at 06:00 pm Cage The Elephant, hey, nothing, Vlad Holiday in Grand Rapids

GLC Live at 20 Monroe

ENTERTAINMENT HOLIDAY
Grand Rapids Real Estate Investing Strategies
Wed, 23 Nov at 08:00 pm Grand Rapids Real Estate Investing Strategies

Weblink Provided Upon Registration -Grand Rapids

Aligning Passion with Profession:  Your Soul's Journey - Grand Rapids
Thu, 29 Feb at 11:00 am Aligning Passion with Profession: Your Soul's Journey - Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids, MI

WORKSHOPS BUSINESS
Grow Start - Up Business Plan Bootcamp 2025
Sat, 18 Jan at 09:00 am Grow Start - Up Business Plan Bootcamp 2025

Grow

BUSINESS WORKSHOPS
Grand Rapids Join us for a Real Estate Investors Training
Sat, 12 Apr at 10:00 am Grand Rapids Join us for a Real Estate Investors Training

Grand Rapids

WORKSHOPS ART
Building Wealth: Financial Planning for Small Business Success
Mon, 12 May at 10:00 am Building Wealth: Financial Planning for Small Business Success

1035 Godfrey Ave SW

BUSINESS
Hard Hat Tours in Grand Rapids
Thu, 17 Jul at 11:00 am Hard Hat Tours in Grand Rapids

2 Fulton St W

MEETUPS
Financial Advice for Beauty Professionals
Mon, 29 Sep at 11:00 am Financial Advice for Beauty Professionals

1118 Wealthy St SE

ART
Axis Experience Vehicle at Wesco w\/ ASSA ABLOY - 9\/30
Tue, 30 Sep at 11:00 am Axis Experience Vehicle at Wesco w/ ASSA ABLOY - 9/30

Wesco Grand Rapids

Parking Lecrae
Wed, 01 Oct at 11:30 pm Parking Lecrae

The Intersection

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Jantsen
Fri, 03 Oct at 07:00 pm Jantsen

Elevation at The Intersection

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Saxsquatch
Sat, 04 Oct at 07:00 pm Saxsquatch

The Stache at The Intersection

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Marathon Game Day Fundraiser
Sun, 05 Oct at 12:00 pm Marathon Game Day Fundraiser

City Built Brewing Company

NONPROFIT SPORTS

What's Happening Next in Grand Rapids?

Discover Grand Rapids Events