North Central Minority Supplier Development Council- Business Growth Summit
About this Event
Business Growth Summit 2026 —The Next Chapter Starts Here.
One day. One room. Endless opportunity.
On July 21, 2026, the Business Growth Summit takes over Target Plaza Commons in Minneapolis for a high-impact day built to turn introductions into contracts and ideas into growth. Hosted by NCMSDC, this is the premier gathering where suppliers and corporate procurement leaders come together to forge real partnerships.
Get ready for a powerhouse lineup:
- Breakfast keynote/fireside chat with Don Cravins, NMSDC President/CEO
- Expert-Led Breakout - Dedicated track for suppliers and corporate procurement professionals.
- Roundtable Sessions - Curated roundtable introductions between buyers and suppliers.
- Networking - Open networking time to connect with corporate partners and suppliers.
- Closing Reception - Celebrate the wins and keep the conversations flowing.
Whether you're a supplier ready to scale, or a corporate leader serious about building a stronger supplier pipeline, this is the room you need to be in.
Seats are limited. Pre-registration required — secure yours today.
Agenda
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration & Networking Breakfast
🕑: 09:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Info: Main Floor — NCMSDC welcome · presenting sponsor remarks · frame the day's theme: The Next Chapter Starts Here
🕑: 09:20 AM
Fireside Chat with Donald Cravins — The Next Chapter Starts Here
Host: Donald Cravins
Info: Donald Cravins, President & CEO, NMSDC, in a moderated fireside conversation with a corporate executive. National landscape, the business case that's still winning, and where NMSDC is leading in the current environment.
🕑: 10:15 AM
Networking Break
🕑: 10:30 AM
What's Actually Happening in Washington: Fed. Contracting/Supplier Development
Info: Single consolidated session for both small businesses and corporate supplier development teams. Plain-language read on federal procurement shifts, Capitol Hill activity, and what both sides need to know right now. Speaker TBD.
🕑: 11:45 AM
Transition & Networking
🕑: 12:00 PM
Lunch Panel — The Next Chapter Is Already Being Written In AI
Info: Future-focused, AI-infused panel discussion on practical use of AI; supplier best practices and corporate perspectives on the highest-leverage use cases. Expert-level guidance to ensure the room leaves with sound, vetted direction rather than hype.
🕑: 01:00 PM
Transition & Networking Break
🕑: 01:15 PM
Sharpening Your Pitch in the AI Era
Info: How small business owners use AI to sharpen capability statements, pricing, positioning, and thought leadership and build a reputation that brings buyers to them.
🕑: 02:30 PM
Networking Break
🕑: 02:45 PM
Next Chapter Roundtables
Info: Moderated roundtable discussions between small businesses and corporate procurement reps.
🕑: 04:00 PM
Closing Plenary — What I'm Taking Into the Next Chapter
Info: Small business owners share their learnings and next-chapter growth, mixing indirect services and retail product on the same stage, and pairing recently certified businesses with longtime certified veterans. Closes with each attendee writing their own one-line next chapter commitment on a card to take home.
🕑: 05:30 PM
Reception & Happy Hour
Info: The Capital Grille (across the street from Target) — Offsite reception & happy hour (cash bar) · open networking · sponsor recognition
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 15000.00
