As the business landscape accelerates toward a future shaped by artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and rapidly shifting market demands, the Carolinas‑Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council (CVMSDC) is calling on small businesses and corporate partners to prepare for what comes next.
That call to action will take center stage August 2–4, 2026, when CVMSDC hosts its 49th annual Business Opportunity Conference (BOC26), sponsored by Allstate, at The Westin Raleigh‑Durham Airport. The three‑day gathering is designed not only as a conference, but as a catalyst—an immersive experience where small businesses, minority business owners, corporate partners, government agencies, and community partners converge to build relationships, exchange ideas, and chart a shared path forward.
The theme, Futurism, challenges attendees to look beyond the present moment and imagine the next era of supplier development, innovation, and economic opportunity. The event is positioned as a three‑day experience designed to connect business owners with major corporate partners, government agencies, and industry leaders who are ready to do business, emphasizing that it is where “the right people, the right conversations, and the right opportunities all come together.”
This year’s agenda reflects that ambition. From a VIP Welcome Reception and Scholarship Swing Golf Tournament to hands‑on workshops, a Freedom Park tour, the Business Connections Roundtable, and the annual CVMSDC Awards Reception, BOC26 blends education, inspiration, and meaningful engagement. Multi‑day activations such as The Launch Point will offer curated resources and real‑time support for business owners seeking to strengthen their capabilities and competitiveness.
CVMSDC President & Chief Engagement Officer Dominique Simpson Milton underscores the urgency of preparing for the future now. “Futurism requires more than imagination—it requires alignment. As the business landscape and technology evolve with unprecedented speed, small businesses and corporate partners must move forward together with shared purpose,” Milton said. “When our goals are connected, supplier development becomes a powerful engine for resilience, sustainability, and long‑term economic growth. BOC26 is where we prepare for what’s next—by building the relationships that will shape the future of business.”
CVMSDC Board Chair Jonathan Wilkins, supplier diversity program executive at Presidio, said, “Small businesses bring agility, creativity, and thought leadership—qualities that corporations need now more than ever in this rapidly evolving business landscape. When CVMSDC corporate partners and SBEs align their goals, together, we’ll unlock a powerful system of shared success and prosperity. BOC26 is not just about preparing for the future, it’s about shaping it together.”
For nearly five decades, CVMSDC has championed economic inclusion through its four pillars: advocacy, certification, connections, and development. BOC26 continues that legacy, serving as one of the Council’s most impactful platforms for strengthening supplier development and expanding opportunities for small businesses and certified Minority Business Enterprises across the region.
Registration for BOC26 is open at www.cvmsdc.org/boc26, where attendees can view the full agenda and secure their place at one of the region’s most influential supplier development events. As the Council prepares to celebrate 50 years of service in 2027, the work can be strengthened with the continued support of corporations, industry leaders, and small business owners working together.
