Celebrating a Tremendous VETS 26 Event

I want to congratulate my friend Scott Jensen, CEO of the National Veterans Small Business Coalition (NVSBC), and his team for an extraordinary Veterans Entrepreneurship and Training Symposium (VETS 26). This year’s conference brought more than 2,000 Veteran-owned businesses, government agencies and partner organizations committed to strengthening the Veteran business community to New Orleans last week.

NaVOBA was honored to be part of this significant gathering. We are especially grateful to our NVSBC friends and partners for inviting us to share a message that is becoming increasingly vital to the future of Veteran entrepreneurship: Veteran-owned businesses are not only ready for government contracting. VOBs are fully capable of competing and winning in the private sector.

Expanding the Horizon for Veteran-Owned Businesses

For too long, the conversation around Veteran entrepreneurship has been framed almost exclusively around federal procurement. While government contracting remains an important pathway, it is only one part of the broader economic landscape. Corporate America represents trillions of dollars in purchasing power, and Veteran-owned businesses deserve a seat at that table.

At VETS 26, we had the opportunity to highlight how NaVOBA is helping Veteran-owned businesses break into these private-sector supply chains. Through certification, supplier readiness training and direct engagement with corporate procurement teams, we’re opening doors that many Veteran entrepreneurs didn’t even know existed.

A Community Moving Forward Together

What made VETS 26 so special wasn’t just the scale of the event. It was the shared commitment to progress. Every conversation, every breakout session and every handshake reinforced the same message; Veteran-owned businesses are a force in the American economy, and their impact is only growing.

We extend our sincere thanks to NVSBC for hosting such a meaningful event and for giving NaVOBA the platform to champion private-sector opportunities for the Veteran business community. Together, we’re building a stronger, more competitive marketplace where Veteran-owned businesses can thrive.

Here’s to the momentum of VETS 26 and to the incredible Veteran entrepreneurs who continue to lead, innovate and inspire.

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