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 and your team 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 partners – YES
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:
- Included with all tickets
Attendees:
- EarlyBird $99, ends January 16, 2026
- $150
- Day of tickets are $175 (starting 3/24 5 pm)
- Veteran Owned Business (WA State Certified) receive 50% off. Please contact alliance@thurstonedc.com to for eligibility and discounted registration link.
- Other Discounts maybe available.
- Limited number of booths available
- Early Exhibitor $698, ends December 15, 2025
- $800, 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 $2,500
No refunds will be issued. If you miss the live event on March 26, you will have the opportunity to view recorded presentations and connect with attendees and exhibitors.
Attendee discounts:
- EarlyBird $99, ends January 16, 2026
- A limited number of
- 50% attendee discounts available for: Certified WA State Veteran Owned Businesses provided by the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs WDVA
- 50% attendee discounts available for: OMWBE Certified businesses provided by the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises OMWBE
- Discounts will be added as they become available
Exhibitor Discounts:
- EarlyBird $698, ends December 15, 2025
- Federal Agency representatives are invited to participate for free
- Discounts will be added as they become available
Please contact alliance@thurstonedc.com to discuss eligibility and access to the codes or links.
How to use a discount
If provided a link, the url will enter the code for you.
If provided a code, enter your discount code in the Promo Code block, you may only use one code.
Discounts cannot be combined.
Enter your promocode as provided, no extra space
Click APPLY on the right side of the block or press enter
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.
Beginning in January 2026, all registered participants will receive an email from Swapcard with a magic link to the event app. New registrants will receive the email within an hour. Make sure to check your junk mail.
You can also go to directly to the app https://app.swapcard.com/event/alliance-northwest-2026 and login with the email used to register.
We encourage downloading the Phone app 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. 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 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 National APEX Accelerators Alliance or APEX ACCELERATORS
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.
2026 Event services provided by:
- Event Photographer: Shanna Paxton Photography
- Event Audio Visual: Adam’s AV Service
- Event Caterer: Greater Tacoma Convention Center’s in-house catering service