BELL 5th Annual Business & Government Contracting Summit

Start Day 2 with a fresh cup of coffee, light breakfast bites, and early networking with fellow entrepreneurs and experts. Use this time to plan your day and reconnect with contacts from Day 1 before diving into another full slate of game-changing sessions.

What Does It Really Take to Land on the Prestigious INC 5000 List?
Join us for an inspiring and high-impact fireside chat that dives deep into the journey of scaling a business to national recognition. In this dynamic session, Frank Rowe, founder and CEO of The Rowe Solutions, will pull back the curtain on how securing government contracts became the catalyst for his company’s explosive growth—ultimately earning a coveted spot on the INC 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies.
Led by Kimberly Wolfe, founder of the Southern California Virtual Business Center, this engaging conversation will explore:

• The pivotal role of government contracting in building sustainable revenue streams
  
• The real challenges and breakthroughs behind scaling at speed
  
• Actionable strategies and lessons learned from Frank's path to national success
  

Whether you're a startup founder, established business owner, or aspiring entrepreneur, this session will give you a front-row seat to the mindset, systems, and strategies it takes to grow with intention—and get noticed.
Get ready to be inspired, informed, and equipped to take bold steps toward your own business breakthrough.

Don’t Let Paperwork Hold You Back from Major Government Contracts
June 28th | 9:30 AM
Too often, small businesses miss out on lucrative government contracts—not because they lack the skills or capacity, but because they aren’t financially prepared. Understanding bonding and insurance requirements can be the game-changer that positions your business for serious growth.
In this essential session, Being Financially Prepared with Bonding and Insurance, Surety Professional Tracey Lawrence will demystify the financial credentials you need to compete—and win—in the world of government contracting.
Tracey will break down:

• The different types of bonding and insurance required for public contracts
  
• What underwriters look for when issuing bonds
  
• Common mistakes that lead to costly delays
  
• How to strengthen your financial profile to secure bonding
  
• Real-world examples of how businesses overcame barriers to become contract-ready
  

Whether you're just launching your first contract bid or preparing to scale into multi-million-dollar opportunities, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to become fully compliant, financially sound, and contract-ready.
Don't let paperwork be the barrier—get the insights you need to move forward with confidence.

Less Hustle, More Flow: CRM Automation for Busy Entrepreneurs
Description:
Tired of juggling leads, follow-ups, and client communications all while trying to grow your business? In this dynamic session, Danielle Anderson, Marketing Consultant and Owner of DA Servicing, will show you how to put your CRM to work for you—so you can spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time focusing on what really matters.
Danielle will introduce user-friendly digital tools and automation strategies that help entrepreneurs simplify operations, streamline client onboarding, automate email sequences, and track sales activity—without needing a tech background.
Whether you're just starting your business or scaling your client base, this workshop will help you create efficient, repeatable systems that boost your productivity and professionalism.
You’ll learn how to:

• Choose the right CRM platform for your business needs
  
• Set up automated workflows to save time and reduce errors
  
• Build personalized customer journeys that run on autopilot
  
• Improve client retention with timely, consistent communication
  
• Use data insights to make smarter business decisions
  

Walk away with practical tools and a clear roadmap to systemize your operations and reclaim your time.

Entering Foreign Markets with Global Contracting
Description:
 The BELL Summit is excited to partner with Black Tech Link to present an engaging and informative session exploring how global contracting can be a powerful gateway for entering and expanding into international markets.
Join Dr. Sarita Jackson, international trade expert and Founder of the Global Research Institute of International Trade (GRIIT), as she shares actionable strategies for leveraging government and private sector contracts abroad to grow your business globally. Dr. Jackson will break down the often-overlooked opportunities available through international procurement, explain how to identify viable markets, and outline the steps small and minority-owned businesses can take to compete on the global stage.
Whether you’re a business owner curious about exporting or a seasoned entrepreneur looking to diversify your revenue streams, this session will equip you with a strategic understanding of global contracting as a market entry tool.
Key Takeaways:

• Understand the role of global contracts in international business development
  
• Identify agencies and platforms that offer international procurement opportunities
  
• Learn the essential documentation and compliance requirements for foreign contracting
  
• Explore market selection strategies to position your business for global success
  
• Discover real-world examples of small businesses winning contracts abroad
  

Don’t miss this chance to gain expert insights and open new doors for your business across borders.

Unlock the Future of Proposal Writing at the BELL 5th Annual Business & Government Contracting Summit!
On Day 2 — Friday, June 28th, join Deschzunell “DJ” Caitlin, an expert in procurement strategy and digital innovation, as he leads a cutting-edge session:
“Proposal Writing and AI Technology.”
UCSD Park & Market - 1100 Market Street, San Diego, CA

In today’s fast-paced contracting environment, knowing how to craft a winning proposal is essential—but knowing how to leverage AI to do it smarter and faster is a game-changer. This Project MOST session, presented by Black Tech Link and The Prep Institute, will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the proposal writing process, from opportunity analysis to content generation, compliance checks, and beyond.

What Attendees Will Learn:

• How to streamline your proposal development using AI tools
• Best practices for integrating automation without sacrificing quality
  
• Ways to use AI to stay competitive, efficient, and responsive
  
• Real-world examples of how small businesses are using AI to win bids
  
• Common pitfalls to avoid when using AI for proposal writing
  
  

Whether you're a small business or nonprofit, this session will give you the knowledge and tools to enhance your proposal process, save valuable time, and increase your chances of success in both public and private sector contracting.

Don’t miss this opportunity to future-proof your business with smart proposal strategies! To register visit https://bit.ly/bellsummit2025

This program is funded by the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Service Agency (HHSA), Department of Strategy and Community Engagement.

The logistics industry is a cornerstone of government procurement—from shipping essential goods to managing large-scale transportation networks. Yet, many independent trucking operators and logistics firms remain on the sidelines of this multi-billion-dollar opportunity. This session is designed to change that.
Emanuel Harris, Freight Logistics Instructor and Owner of 1980 Freight, will lead a practical and eye-opening discussion on how trucking businesses—regardless of size—can successfully break into government contracting. He’ll outline key strategies for positioning your business for public sector opportunities, explain the compliance standards you need to meet, and share the certifications that can make your company stand out as a reliable and trusted contractor.
You’ll learn how to:

• Understand the scope of logistics needs within government procurement
  
• Register and position your trucking company to compete for contracts
  
• Navigate certifications such as DBE, MBE, and veteran-owned business status
  
• Ensure your business meets DOT and federal compliance requirements
  
• Build relationships with procurement officers and government buyers
  

Whether you're an owner-operator or managing a growing fleet, this session will give you the tools to access new revenue streams through government work—and scale your logistics business with confidence.

Grab lunch and gain insight from those who’ve done it best. This interactive panel features business woners sharing how they broke into their industry , built lasting partnerships, and scaled their companies. Come ready to take notes, ask questions, and be inspired.

Access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers for small businesses—especially for those led by women, people of color, and other underrepresented founders. But traditional bank loans aren’t the only path to funding.
Join Oralia Alvarez, capital access advocate and financial strategist, for an insightful session on alternative funding sources that are transforming the small business landscape. In this workshop, you’ll discover how Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and impact-driven organizations like Mission Driven Finance are supporting businesses that often get overlooked by traditional lenders.
Oralia will walk you through real-world examples of how entrepreneurs have successfully secured capital using non-traditional methods, and provide actionable tips to help you do the same. From flexible lending programs to mission-aligned investment opportunities, this session is designed to help you understand the evolving funding ecosystem and find the right fit for your business goals.
What You’ll Learn:

• What CDFIs are and how they differ from traditional financial institutions
  
• How organizations like Mission Driven Finance evaluate funding opportunities
  
• Real-life strategies used by founders to access mission-aligned capital
  
• Steps to prepare your business for alternative lending and investment
  
• How to align your values with your funding strategy for long-term success
  

Perfect for startups, early-stage ventures, and small businesses seeking capital to scale with purpose, this session is your roadmap to financial resources that truly work for you—not against you.

Workshop: Simple Cybersecurity Protocols That Help Win Bids
Date: June 28 | Day 2 of the BELL 5th Annual Business & Government Contracting Summit
In today’s contracting landscape, cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s expected. Government agencies increasingly require contractors to handle sensitive information securely, and failing to demonstrate proper data protection protocols can be the difference between winning and losing a bid.
Join cybersecurity specialist Xavier Johnson for this essential session: "Simple Cybersecurity Protocols That Help Win Bids." This workshop will break down the foundational cybersecurity practices that every small business should have in place when competing for government contracts.
Attendees will learn:

• Why cybersecurity compliance is now a key factor in government procurement
  
• Basic protocols that demonstrate your business can handle sensitive data
  
• How to communicate your cybersecurity readiness in proposals
  
• Common red flags that disqualify vendors during evaluation
  
• Tools and frameworks (such as NIST and CMMC) that help small businesses align with federal requirements
  

Whether you're new to contracting or scaling into more complex bids, this session will equip you with the confidence and knowledge to build trust with government buyers and meet today’s security expectations.
Don’t miss this timely and practical discussion at the BELL Summit.

Must-Have Legal Agreements for Contractors: Protecting Your Business Before You Sign
Description:
Contracts protect your business—but only if they’re done right. Whether you're a prime contractor, subcontractor, or independent consultant, having the right legal agreements in place is critical to managing risk, maintaining professionalism, and avoiding costly disputes.
In this essential session, Attorney Sacha Brackins—a seasoned legal expert in business and contract law—will break down the must-have agreements every contractor should understand and implement. From Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) to Subcontractor Agreements, Teaming Agreements, and beyond, Sa’cha will explain what each contract is for, when to use it, and what clauses to look out for before you sign.
This workshop is ideal for contractors working in government, construction, consulting, or any field where you collaborate with clients, subcontractors, or partners. You’ll walk away with the confidence to protect your work, your reputation, and your bottom line.
Key Takeaways:

• The purpose and power of essential legal agreements in contractor work
  
• Key clauses to include (and avoid) in NDAs, subcontractor, and teaming agreements
  
• Common legal pitfalls and how to prevent them
  
• Best practices for negotiating and enforcing your contracts
  
• Resources for accessing and customizing legal templates
  

Whether you're just getting started or managing multiple contracts, this session will empower you with the legal knowledge every contractor needs to protect their business and operate with confidence.

As the summit winds down, join BELL’s founders and special guests for a final message of encouragement and action. Reflect on the insights you’ve gained, the people you’ve met, and the next steps to take on your government contracting journey.