Connecting Industry and Government: SBC 2025 Delivers on the Mission

SBC 2025 attracted thousands of attendees across government and industry focused on building the relationships that will Accelerate Readiness for the nation.

SAME’s 2025 Federal Small Business Conference in Phoenix, Arizona welcomed over 5,000 government and industry professionals for three days of connecting, learning, partnering, and working to Accelerate Readiness for our nation. Despite challenges arising from the government shutdown, SBC continued to deliver on its critical mission: be the platform of choice between government and industry to build trust, relationships, and partnership in support of our national security.

The three day conference was packed full of opportunity briefings, educational sessions, and networking events that attracted attendees from around the world. Small and large businesses and federal representatives joined with uniformed services to discuss and strategize over the most pressing issues facing the industry. Over 500 companies filled the exhibit hall with displays of cutting edge technology and industry-specific solutions. Education sessions included the popular Army Mega-Session, a special session featuring the Ukraine State Special Transport Service, and the packed Mega-Series covering the Sentinel program.

“It truly takes industry and government working together to accomplish the mission. We’re ready, and we want you to be ready as well. I appreciate your work, expertise, and dedication.” 

–Rear Adm. Jeff Kilian, P.E., CEC, USN, Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, and Chief of Civil Engineers

Day 2: Building a Readiness Mindset

Day Two of SBC 2025 brought another high-energy lineup of education, networking, and inspiration in Phoenix! The morning’s General Session featured ten-time Emmy-nominated television producer Lindsay Shookus of SNL fame, who shared insights on leading creative teams and navigating high-pressure environments under extremely tight deadlines. After that, the Exhibit Hall opened for another full day of connecting with colleagues and partners. 

Matched Networking and Capability Statement Reviews continued throughout the day, alongside a robust schedule of education sessions and business opportunity town halls. Two IGE Roundtables—one on microgrids and one on artificial intelligence—offered opportunities to hear more about these national-level projects and attendees contributed their voices to the vigorous conversation.

Day 3: Carrying the Conversation On

The last day of the 2025 SBC finished strong with the last block of education sessions, covering transformative efforts surrounding homeland defense, mentor-protégé relationships, and targeted subcontracting. Attendees enjoyed a final opportunity for in-person networking across the Exhibit Hall and Matched Networking before heading home.

“Nobody has rebuilt a country by themselves. It takes a community.”

– Karl Jensen, AECOM, during the “Rebuild Ukraine” session, describing the importance of the U.S. engineering sector and international partners coming together to support the rebuild of Ukraine, which is estimated at over $540 billion.

Congratulations to the SBC Booth Battle Winners!

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 Booth Battle! This competition recognized outstanding booths in this year’s exhibit hall that brought creativity, energy, and genuine connection to the exhibit hall.

Awards were given in the small, medium, and large business size categories, with an additional award for Best Feature for the booth that best spotlight the conference theme, Accelerate Readiness.