Business, Press Release

15th Annual Veteran and Small Business Trade Show to Bring Veteran Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Together for Government Contracting Education and Business Connections

Free, in-person event in Moreno Valley featuring government procurement guidance, business panels, a Cal eProcure clinic, networking, and resources for veteran-owned and small businesses.

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. — October 8, 2026 — The Southwest Veterans’ Business Resource Center (SWVBRC) will host the 15th Annual Veteran and Small Business Trade Show on Thursday, October 8, 2026, bringing veteran entrepreneurs and small businesses together for contracting education, practical guidance, business connections, and procurement resources.

Event Details

Event	15th Annual Veteran and Small Business Trade Show
Date	Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time	Starts at 9:00 AM Pacific
Location	14075 Frederick St., Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Format / Admission	In person / Free to all attendees

The official SWVBRC event page describes the trade show as an opportunity to explore contracting opportunities, receive practical guidance, and build new business connections. The event is also identified as part of the celebration of 250 years of America, 1776–2026.

Event Message & 100-Year Plan

The event’s published message is “Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurs — Honoring the Past, Building the Future,” with the 100-Year Plan identified as having launched September 27, 2022.

Opening Ceremony

The program begins at 9:00 a.m. with Color Guard and National Anthem, followed by the 9:10 a.m. Opening Ceremony, “The Next 50 Years of the 100 Year Plan.”

Emcee: Rocio Luna, Client Advisor – Large Commercial, West Division, Acrisure; OPPS4VETS Life Member

Daniel Odimegwu, Sophomore, Valley View High School — representing the next 50 years of the 100-Year Plan
Elena Baca-Santa Cruz, District 1 — City Council, City of Moreno Valley
Dixie Banner, VETS2INDUSTRY, Wasilla, Alaska; OPPS4VETS Life Member
Jane Babcock, Veterans Benefit Educator; OPPS4VETS Life Member

Keynote Speaker

Scilla Andreen, CEO and Founder, Impactful Networks Inc., will serve as keynote speaker. The event page describes Impactful Networks as a health-tech education startup focused on ethical AI and multimedia storytelling for emotional wellness.

Business and Government Procurement Panels

Panel 1 — Introducing the Past to the Present

Moderator: Jeffrey Rosales, Founder and CEO of Moneda®; OPPS4VETS Life Member

1-on-1 Conversation: Elton Johnson, Non-Executive Chairman, Amerivet Enterprises, Inc.; OPPS4VETS Life Member

Panel 2 — Learning the Ropes: Navigating the Business Landscape

Moderator: July Franco, USMC, Franco Hauling LLC; OPPS4VETS Life Member

Tara Jones, Navy, GACT Distribution; OPPS4VETS Life Member
Rocio Perez, Founder & CEO, Veertuous, LLC; Victor Publishing, LLC; Creator of The MindShift Experience©; OPPS4VETS Life Member
Elizabeth Perez-Rodriguez, Navy; Founder & CEO, Native ESCO

Panel 3 — Learning the Ropes: Navigating Government Procurement Landscape

Moderator: Al Solis, Marine; OPPS4VETS Life Member; Executive Director of The National Hispanic Construction Association of California

Josh Kress, Business Outreach Liaison, California Department of General Services, Office of Small Business and DVBE Services (OSDS)
Ana Rodriguez, Authority Director, Contract Administration Vendor/Contract Management, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Elizabeth Lesniak, Contracts Analyst and Small Business & DVBE Advocate/Liaison, CAL FIRE

Panel 4 — Learning the Ropes: Navigating the RFP Process

Moderator: Melina Cardenas, Proposal Management Expert, Pretty Paperwork Network; OPPS4VETS Life Member

Marcus Delfin, SB/DVBE Advocate & SB Liaison I, California Military Department
Shonda Hornbeck, PDS Small Business & Title VI Manager, California High Speed Rail
Rick Duarte, MLS, ENV SP, Construction & Engineering Sustainability Program Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

DGS Cal eProcure Clinic

The California Department of General Services (DGS) will host a Cal eProcure Clinic beginning with the DGS sessions. Attendees can receive a personal review of their certification profile, guidance on positioning the profile to find California state contracting opportunities and solicitations, and additional help finding contract opportunities through Cal eProcure.

Requirements: Bring your own laptop computer or tablet and your Cal eProcure login information.

Attendees can also prepare for the one-on-one clinic by watching the three-part on-demand series available through OPPS4VETS.com/VETS:

How to do Business with the State of California
I’m Certified, Now What?
Contracting with California State Government

Clinic times: TBD. Seats are limited for each session and walk-ups may be turned away.

DGS On-Site DVBE/SB Certification

The event also includes on-site DVBE/SB certification resources. Certification personnel listed on the event page include:

Marta Alejandrez Carrera — Certification Branch Manager
Julio Rodriguez Medina — Certification Officer
Vanessa Murillo — Certification Officer
Drew Morneau — Certification Officer

Veterans seeking certification are instructed to bring the required documents saved on a USB drive or laptop for the event; the event page notes that iPads and cellphones are not recommended for this process.

Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurs

The trade show is presented under the message “Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurs” and “Honoring the Past, Building the Future.” The event page also identifies the 100-Year Plan, launched September 27, 2022.

The official event page describes the trade show as serving veteran-owned businesses and the broader small business community, with opportunities to meet business owners, exhibitors, resource providers, government representatives, and procurement professionals.

Women Veterans Symposium 2026 — “Hey Sista Listen Up”

The October 8, 2026 program now includes the Women Veterans Symposium 2026 — “Hey Sista Listen Up”, an additional session taking place at the same Moreno Valley venue.

Time	10:00 AM
Date	October 8, 2026
Location	14075 Frederick Street, Moreno Valley, CA 92553

Symposium Focus

The event announcement presents the symposium as a gathering featuring women veteran leaders, with discussion areas including Politics, Healthcare, Business, Employment, Housing, and Family.