2025 MDOT Small Business Symposium
Schedule
Sun, 19 Oct, 2025 at 05:00 pm to Mon, 20 Oct, 2025 at 03:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel | Grand Rapids, MI

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
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Early Bird Registration
🕑: 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
🕑: 08:00 AM - 01:30 PM
Registration Opens
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 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.
🕑: 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.
🕑: 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!
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:10 AM
Construction Field Services Update
Info: *Concurrent Workshops* This workshop will provide information regarding MDOT’s Prevailing Wage, Prompt Pay, Subcontract and LCP Tracker requirements.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
On-The-Job Trainee Summit (for OJT members only)
🕑: 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.
🕑: 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.
🕑: 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 MDOT’s website for these resources.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch and Keynote Address
🕑: 01:45 PM - 03:00 PM
DBE Stakeholder Meeting (by invite only)
Info: *Concurrent Workshop*
🕑: 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 MDOT’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.
🕑: 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!
Where is it happening?
Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel, 5700 28th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
