BELL 5th Annual Business & Government Contracting Summit

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.

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.