Frederick – – November 05, 2026 -- The 21st Annual SMART PROC GovCon Procurement Conference & Expo will bring more than 75 confirmed speakers, 14 breakout sessions and over 25 exhibitors and sponsors to the Frederick Event Center in Maryland on November 18–19, giving small businesses direct access to federal and state procurement officials.
VA and defense officials open the program with a healthcare infrastructure discussion
The conference opens with a fireside chat between Richard F. Topping, Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Sean O'Keefe, Deputy Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness. They will discuss healthcare infrastructure and the continuum of care for servicemembers and veterans. The agenda includes two keynote plenary sessions.
Agency speakers span defense health, biodefense, acquisition and state commerce
Other featured speakers come from the Defense Health Agency, U.S. Army Capabilities and Development Command, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), the U.S. Department of State, the General Services Administration and the Maryland Department of Commerce.
Sessions cover military readiness, public health emergency preparedness, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, healthcare infrastructure, federal acquisition and emerging technology development. Small business programming will address agency requirements, contracting strategies and non-dilutive funding, with access to federal program and procurement officials.
Mid-Atlantic installations anchor the regional pitch
Participants include federal installations and agencies from across the Mid-Atlantic, among them Fort Detrick, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Fort Meade and Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Host organization Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic Region for Tomorrow (SMART) says the event brings defense and civilian agencies together with industry.
"SMART PROC GovCon uniquely brings both defense and civilian agencies together with industry," said Debbie Burrell, SMART Board Chair and Conference Chair, who framed the goal as turning conversations into partnerships for small business.
Two-day schedule includes a networking reception on November 18
Exhibitors will showcase capabilities across defense, healthcare, technology and professional services. A networking reception runs from 4 to 6 p.m. on November 18 for attendees, exhibitors and government officials. The conference runs 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on November 18 and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on November 19 at 5400 Holiday Drive. Registration opens at 7:00 a.m. each day, with onsite registration available.