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sponsorship info
3RD ANNUAL · OCTOBER 22, 2026 · 500 PEARL STREET, BUFFALO, NY
THREE YEARS OF PROOF
Proven Impact —
Three Years of Growth
24%
YEAR OVER YEAR GROWTH
218 +
YEAR 1 ATTENDEES | 2024
270 +
YEAR 2 ATTENDEES | 2025
300+
YEAR 3 TARGET | 2026
93 %
FELT BETTER PREPARED
25
VENDORS | 2024
40 +
VENDORS | 2025
50 +
VENDORS | 2026 TARGET
93% felt better prepared to pursue contracts · 100% wanted deeper training · Attendees from NYS, California & West Virginia
"The only dedicated MWBE & SDVOB training conference serving the Buffalo-Niagara region."
✓ Empire State Development
✓ NY Power Authority
✓ Buffalo Purchasing Initiative
✓ Women's Business Center at Canisius
YEAR 3 CONFIRMED PARTNERS
Choose the tier that best aligns with your organizational goals and commitment to economic equity in Western New York.
✓ Empire State Development
✓ NY Power Authority
✓ Buffalo Purchasing Initiative
✓ Women's Business Center
at Canisius
✓ Senator April N.M. Baskin — Opener
M&T Bank —
Awards Ceremony
Add Your Business/ Organization
YEAR 3 CONFIRMED PARTNERS
EXCLUSIVE · 1 AVAILABLE
PRESENTING SPONSOR
$15,000
INVESTMENT
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Exclusive naming rights — full series
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Speaking slot: main conference & kickoff
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VIP table (10) + 8 kickoff tickets
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All signage, step-and-repeat, digital
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Named in ALL TV Media Tour
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10 radio commercials — Blueprint The Culture™ Power 96.5 FM & Mix 1080 AM
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All press releases & marketing
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Blueprint media feature + CEO interview
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Logo on all conference materials & printed program
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Social media spotlight series
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Book bundles (5)
1 AVAILABLE
PREMIER PARTNER
$10,000
INVESTMENT
-
Naming rights — main conference
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Speaking slot — one event of choice
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VIP table (8) + 6 kickoff tickets
-
Signage, step-and-repeat, digital
-
Named in TV Media Tour
-
Blueprint media feature + 7 radio commercials
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Press releases, all marketing
-
Social media spotlight
-
Logo on all conference materials & printed program
-
Book bundles (4)
2 AVAILABLE
IMPACT PARTNER
$8,500
INVESTMENT
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Major conference recognition + premium vendor space
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Speaking slot — kickoff or conference
-
Mention in TV Media Tour
-
VIP table (6) + 4 kickoff tickets
-
Signage & step-and-repeat
-
5 radio commercials — Blueprint The Culture™ Power 96.5 FM & Mix 1080 AM
-
Social media + email spotlight
-
Blueprint media mention
-
Logo on all conference materials & printed program
-
Book bundles (3)
1 AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
4 AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
2026 Partnership Opportunities Now Open!
Choose the tier that best aligns with your organizational goals and commitment to economic equity in
Western New York.
Premium tiers close July 30, 2026 · Final deadline September 15, 2026 ·
Benefits customizable; contact us to discuss your goals
WHO'S IN THE ROOM?
Decision-Makers. Real Buyers. Real Contracts
300+ BUSINESS OWNERS
Certified and pursuing certification — construction, professional services, tech, real estate, healthcare, marketing, event planning, hair & beauty, trades and more. MWBE and SDVOB firms side by side.
MAJOR CONTRACTORS & PRIMES
LeChase, Turner, Pike, Buffalo Construction Consultants, Montante, Mark Cerrone — the largest builders in WNY actively seeking certified partners to fulfill MWBE and SDVOB contract goals.
GOVERNMENT & PROCUREMENT
NYS ESD, NYPA, NYS Homes & Community Renewal, Monroe County, City of Rochester, ECIDA — the agencies that hold the contracts and set the goals, at the table all day.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
M&T Bank, Bank On Buffalo, NYSBDC, Northwest Bank — 7 banks, credit unions & CDFIs on the floor, ready to engage. Capital access conversations happen live alongside procurement conversations.
— MAYOR SEAN M. RYAN ·
CITY OF BUFFALO
"Thanks to The RARE Place, Inc., attendees will be better prepared to navigate their fields and apply for government contracts. Small businesses make up half of New York's entire workforce. Thank you for allowing me to give opening remarks at this year's conference. I look forward to the next one."
— KANASHA BLUE · EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT TEAM
"A huge shoutout to Talia for doing an amazing job bringing together essential resources. Jason Clark dropped key nuggets about New York State's unwavering commitment to MWBE success."
— ADRIA C SWAIN · OWNER, ESCENTIAL CREATIONS
The energy in the room? Electric.
The knowledge shared in the bootcamp sessions? Priceless. The confirmation I felt? Powerful."
— LATEESHA MCELRATH · FOUNDER, COMMUNITY WELLNESS WORKS
"If you're a minority business owner and weren't in the room this year, make sure you are next time. This is truly a must-attend event for anyone serious about growth and connection."