The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Orlando chapter today announced Beyond the Bid: Government Contracting Unlocked, a new panel event designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners break into government contracting at the federal, state, and local level.
The event will take place Tuesday, October 7, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:30 PM at UCF Creative Village, the National Entrepreneur Center's downtown Orlando facility, presented in partnership with NEC.
Beyond the Bid anchors NAWBO Orlando's Fall Membership Campaign, "Your Journey. Our Community.," running September 1 through October 31, 2026, and stands as the campaign's signature, highest-visibility moment. Beyond the Bid is expected to draw 100 to 150 entrepreneurs and small business owners from across Central Florida. A five-person expert panel — spanning government procurement, branding, and prime/subcontractor relationships, alongside a business owner who has won a government contract — will share real-world strategy through moderated questions and live audience Q&A. Structured, color-coded networking will connect attendees by role and opportunity, linking business owners directly with primes, subcontractors, and procurement representatives in the room.
"Most business owners walk into a government contracting opportunity hoping to meet the right person or land the right bid," said Dana Wells, NAWBO Orlando. "Beyond the Bid flips that approach, giving attendees a practical, end-to-end playbook for the full relationship lifecycle of government contracting — from how you brand and position yourself, to how you debrief a loss and come back stronger on the next bid."
The event is organized in collaboration with the Orange County Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program, the National Entrepreneur Center (NEC Orlando), NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) and the University of Central Florida.
NAWBO Orlando is now inviting local and regional organizations to sponsor the event. Sponsorship levels range from $250 to $1,000, with benefits including event signage and program placement, a full-page ad in the event booklet, an attendee contact list, reserved tables, and event tickets. In-kind media partnerships are also available in exchange for event coverage and promotion.
Beyond the Bid is positioned as a new signature annual gathering for NAWBO Orlando. Organizations interested in sponsoring or learning more can contact Dana Wells at
Dana@sunshinecoachinggroup.com or 407-491-9554.
About NAWBO Orlando
NAWBO Orlando is a chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, the only dues-based organization representing the interests of women entrepreneurs across all industries in the United States. NAWBO Orlando serves women business owners and the broader Central Florida entrepreneurial community through advocacy, education, and networking.
Media Contact:
Dana Wells
NAWBO Orlando
Dana@sunshinecoachinggroup.com
407-491-9554
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NAWBO Orlando
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Dana Wells Membership Director
- September 14, 2026
- (407) 491-9554
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