We just wrapped up BOC25—the 2025 Business Opportunity Conference hosted by CVMSDC in Charleston, SC—and it was nothing short of inspiring. Over the course of three days, from August 3–5, hundreds of entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and change-makers came together with a shared purpose: to learn, connect, and create opportunities.
The energy was palpable from the moment attendees checked in. This year’s theme of ‘Accessible Connections’ wasn’t just a tagline—it came to life in every keynote, workshop, and conversation. The conference reminded me why I believe so strongly in the value of attending these kinds of gatherings and how, when approached intentionally, they can transform careers and businesses.
Our emcee, Dr. Ashlye Wilkerson said, “This is more like a family reunion with tenured attendees and new members networking together.” There were many business owners with 15+ years of experience in the room that have engaged and grown with CVMSDC over the years.
Planning Before You Go
One of the most overlooked parts of conference success happens before you even step on a plane or get on the road. For me, it starts with setting up a clear out-of-office message—not just the automated ‘I’ll get back to you’ note, but one that lets clients and colleagues know exactly who they can contact while I’m away. I also believe in a buddy system. If you have a peer in the same field, share the workload while you’re both at the conference. This makes it easier to truly engage without worrying about what’s piling up back at the office.
Going Deep, Not Wide
At BOC25, it would have been easy to fall into the trap of trying to meet everyone. But the real magic happens when you slow down and connect deeply with just a few people. Instead of collecting a stack of business cards, I focus on building real rapport—listening to stories, understanding needs, and finding ways to help. That’s what makes follow-up so much more meaningful.
One of my favorite moments was hearing from Ava N. Simmons, the 12-year-old founder of Team Genius Squad, whose STEM toy line is already in Whole Foods. Ava’s story of turning dyslexia into innovation was a reminder that vision has no age limit. Later, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette shared how small businesses are the heartbeat of South Carolina’s economy, offering practical insights on resilience and scaling. And then there was BK Fulton, former Verizon President turned media mogul, who joined me for a live “Intentionality with Dominique,” fireside chat and discussion about understanding why relationships matter.
Choosing Sessions That Shape Your Path
Between the keynotes, attendees had their pick of eight high-impact workshops. Topics ranged from pitching and capital readiness to AI innovation, sustainability, branding, infrastructure projects, and the B.A.I.L. framework (Banking, Accounting, Insurance, and Legal). These sessions weren’t about surface-level tips—they went deep, giving business owners the tools and confidence to take their next big step.
The Business Connections Networking format was another standout. Instead of wandering aimlessly, participants were matched with corporate decision-makers by industry—finance, healthcare, energy, and more. The Resource Room was equally valuable, offering one-on-one guidance from organizations like EXIM Bank, Aspire Community Capital, and Increasing Hope.
Making Conferences Part of Your Growth Plan
One of my biggest takeaways—and something I share with every business owner—is that conferences shouldn’t be random. They should be a planned part of your professional development strategy. I recommend picking one or two each year that align directly with your goals and market. The return on investment isn’t just in the information you absorb, but in the relationships you nurture and the deals you set in motion. One example of growth from the conference: Ava Simmons was invited on an expense paid trip to attend our NMSDC.org conference in Miami and share her message on the big stage with an audience of 6,000. This would never have materialized if she hadn’t started smaller and volunteered her time at the CVMSDC BOC25 conference.
Simple Guide to Conference Success
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
| 1 | Plan ahead | Out-of-office alerts, delegate tasks, and set intentions. |
| 2 | Engage deeply | Focus on a few meaningful connections instead of meeting everyone. |
| 3 | Choose strategically | Select sessions and events that align with your growth goals. |
| 4 | Follow up intentionally | Personalized outreach turns contacts into relationships. |
| 5 | Repeat annually | Build conferences into your yearly business development plan. |
The bottom line: Conferences like BOC25 are more than just events—they’re opportunities to step away from the day-to-day, gain new perspective, and strengthen the relationships that will carry your business forward. When you prepare intentionally, engage with purpose, and follow up thoughtfully, you leave not just with notes and business cards, but with momentum that lasts long after the closing session.
