Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Any business interested in succeeding in the government marketplace should plan to attend Alliance Northwest. The event has historically attracted over 1,000 people, including the who’s-who of federal, state and local contracting. Alliance Northwest is the largest event in the region, bringing together prime contractors, government agencies and small businesses for a full day of relationship building. 

For those new to government contracting, you’ll have an opportunity to meet government agency representatives, explore sub-contracting opportunities with prime contractors and attend high-quality training workshops.

If your firm is an experienced government contractor, Alliance is the place to strengthen established relationships, explore other government contracting opportunities and teaming opportunities, and hear the marketplace’s latest news and trends from the expert workshop speakers.

If you are a non-traditional supplier, such as a firm that focuses on R&D, engineering, science or the development of cutting edge technology, you will find important resources for innovators as well as access to federal agencies for valuable SBIR Phase 3 connections.

Agencies interested in reaching out to small and diverse firms should attend the event.  You can search attendees by industry and socio-economic status and help educate firms on how to do business with you.

That depends:

Small businesses – NO

Attendee registration provides you with the most flexible experience. All Attendees will have an opportunity to complete a robust individual profile on the event app with links to social media, capabilities statements (additional cost), full contact information, and more. 

Prime contract holders, Government agencies and resource partnersYES

Exhibiting is a great way to have a strong presence at the event and on the event app and get more exposure for your contracting and subcontracting opportunities and resources for small businesses.

Reception:

  • $25 per person
  • Included in sponsorships

Attendees:

  • EarlyBird $99, ends January 15, 2024
  • $150
  • Day of tickets are $175 (starting 3/13 5 pm)
  • Discounts are available.
Booth Profiles:
  • $700, includes:
    • 2 participants
    • 10’x 10′ pipe and drape booth
    • 6′ draped table and 2 chairs
    • Exhibitor Booth profile on the event app includes an opportunity to add logo, background image, video header, detailed description, social media links, contact profile for team members, attachments, sidebar advertisement and more
    • One marketplace item
  • Federal agency – booth at no cost, includes same as above

Sponsors: Packages starting at $2,000

No refunds will be issued. If you miss the live event on March 14, you still will have the opportunity to view recorded presentations and connect with attendees and exhibitors.

Yes

There are a limited number of 50% attendee discounts available for:

Exhibitor Discounts:

  • Federal Agency representatives are invited to participate for free
  • State and local government representatives are invited to exhibit at a discounted rate
  • Participants of PNW DoD Regional Council are invited to exhibit or sponsor at a discounted rate

Please contact alliance@thurstonedc.com to discuss eligibility and access to the codes or links

Enter your discount code in the Promo Code block, you may only use one promo code

Enter your promocode as provided, no extra space

Click APPLY on the right side of the block or press enter

If you are struggling with what to enter in your profile, these suggestions may be helpful.

Representing: (required)

  • Select the one that best fits your organization
  • What is a resource partner? An organization that provides services to businesses: Is not a government buyer or primarily focused on selling to the government

Industry Sector: (required)

  • Businesses select what you sell
  • Agencies select what you buy
  • Resources Partners select sectors you provide services to

Business Socio-Economic information – (required) select all that apply to the majority ownership of your company

Veteran Owned Business – select all that apply to your company

  • Veteran Owned Business certified by the State of Washington Department of Veteran Affairs, VOB should appear in the directory
  • Veteran Owned Business verified by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, VOSB or SDVOSB should appear in the directory

WA OMWBE State Certifications – select the one your company holds, should appear in the directory

WA OMWBE Federal Certifications– select all that your company holds, should appear in the directory

Federal Certification –  select all that your company holds, should appear in DSBS

Other certifications – enter any other certifications participants might be of interest: DBE in other states, King County SCS, industry-specific certifications

UEI/ CAGE – If you are registered in SAM.gov, these will be easy to pull

Interested in meeting: select the overall groups you are focused on connecting with

  • Small Businesses: List top NAICS Codes, Commodity Codes, or industries of small businesses you want to meet
  • Large Businesses: Provide a brief description of the products or service your company offers to Prime Contractors
  • Government Representatives: Provide a brief description of the products or services your company offers
  • Resource Partners: select all areas of support your company is interested in learning about

The best way to prepare for the conference is 2-fold: good marketing materials and thorough research.

We invite you to attend Washington APEX Accelerator classes to support your government contracting needs. See classes on the Washington APEX Accelerator calendar

The Alliance planning committee is preparing additional webinars and setting up a hotline for questions. 

Details coming soon.

One of the most valuable aspects of participating in Alliance Northwest is the opportunity to build relationships with potential partners, buyers and sellers in the federal marketplace.

On the event app, participants are able to filter participants according to industry sector, interests or needs, business size, certifications and more. Then request in-person meetings.

Meetings will take place at the in-person event.

Use of the event app for video calls, text chat and sharing marketing material is also available.

Alliance Northwest is coordinated by the Thurston Economic Development Council, a non-profit based in Lacey, WA that is home to the Washington APEX Accelerator, formerly PTAC. The event planning is supported by counselors at APEX Accelerators, other non-profit service providers, and representatives from the US Navy, Army Corps of Engineers, Small Business Administration, and other federal agencies. The event has an over 30-year history of creating a quality environment in which government and business can connect and learn.

Alliance Northwest is about making quality connections and learning how the government buys and from who.  This knowledge combined with effective follow-up could very well turn into contracts later down the road.

For more on how to win government contracts and subcontracts, visit your APEX Accelerator Advisor. The Washington APEX Accelerator, formerly PTAC provides no-cost advising to increase the number of firms who find, bid, and win government contracts.  Washington firms can visit www.washingtonapex.org.  Other locations can visit www.aptac-us.org. 

For event questions: alliance@thurstonedc.com or 360-464-6040.

For government contracting support: contact info@washingtonapex.org to be connected with your local APEX Acceleartor Advisor.