GovConferences FAQs

What is GovConferences?

GovConferences is a directory of government contracting events: conferences, industry days, matchmaking events and training, in person and virtual. It is built for small businesses, primes and agency teams who want to find the right rooms to build their federal pipeline.

It is a product of Watch Digital LLC, and it comes with free GovCon tools like UEI, NAICS and PSC lookups.

How do I find government contracting events near me?

Open Events and we'll show what's happening closest to you first. Change the location with the place picker, choose "Use my current location", or widen the search to 25, 50 or 100 miles.

You can also browse by type: conferences, industry days, matchmaking, training and international events.

Can I find virtual or free GovCon events?

Yes. On Events use the filters to show only virtual events, only in-person events, or only free events. You can combine them with a type, a city or a state.

Do you list events outside the United States?

Yes. Government contracting events held outside the United States are collected under International. Most listings today are in the United States.

How do I register or buy tickets?

Every event page has a "Register on the host's site" button that takes you to the organizer's official registration page. GovConferences doesn't sell tickets or take payment; registration, payment and refunds are handled by the organizer.

What do the prices on event cards mean?

"Free" means the organizer says the event costs nothing to attend. "From $250.00" is the lowest ticket price the organizer listed. "From $0.00" means no price has been entered yet, so check the host's site for current pricing.

Can I save events or add them to my calendar?

Yes. Sign in and tap Save on any event to keep it in your list. You can download a single event as a calendar file, or subscribe to your saved events from Google Calendar, Outlook or Apple Calendar so new saves show up automatically.

How do I list my event on GovConferences?

Sign in and choose Post an event. Add the date, the location (or the virtual link), the presenting organization, a description, a registration link and whether it's free or paid. You can upload a JPG, PNG, WebP or AVIF image up to 5 MB.

Submit at least 24 hours before the event starts so there's time to review it.

Does it cost anything to list an event?

No. There's no charge to submit a listing or to have it published once it's approved.

Why isn't my event live yet?

Every new listing is reviewed by the GovConferences team before it's published, to keep the directory accurate and free of spam. Until then it's saved as pending review and isn't public.

Can I edit my event after it's published?

Yes. Organizers and members of the organization that manages the event can edit it at any time. Changes to a live listing are reviewed before they appear, so the public page never shows unchecked details.

My event is already listed. How do I claim it?

Open the event page and choose "Claim this event". Tell us your role, then verify a business email address with the link we send you. If your email domain matches the organizer's verified domain, that's usually enough; otherwise add proof such as a link or a document.

A person on our team reviews every claim. Once approved, you can manage the listing. If someone already manages it, you can request access from their organization instead.

Can I suggest an event I don't organize?

Yes, and you don't need an account. Use Suggest an event and send the event name and its official website. We research every suggestion before listing it.

If you're signed in, you're credited on the listing and your profile, and we email you when it goes live.

What do "Featured" and "Promoted" mean?

"Featured" marks the posters at the top of the homepage and "Promoted" the cards first in the near-you shelf and on category pages. An organizer can pay for a day in either, and the rest of the posters are simply the soonest upcoming events. We also use "Promoted" for our own products and services.

The Spotlight is labeled "Ad" and the weekly digest sponsor "Sponsored". Read our Advertiser Disclosure for what each placement is and how it is labeled.

Can I advertise or sponsor my event?

Yes. You can promote an event in the Spotlight, among the homepage posters, or first in the near-you shelf and on category pages nationwide or in the metro areas you choose, or sponsor Monday's weekly digest. See what each placement is, then pick your days on the promotion calendar. Questions? Contact our advertising team.

Do I need an account?

Not to browse or suggest events. You need one to save events, subscribe to your calendar, post or claim an event, and leave reviews.

There's no password to remember: sign in with Google, LinkedIn, or a link or 6-digit code sent to your email.

How do you use my location?

Only to sort events by distance. We use the place you pick, your device location if you choose "Use my current location" (rounded to about a kilometre), or an approximate city based on your connection. The place you pick is remembered in your own browser, not saved to an account.

See our Privacy Policy for more.

Who can review an event?

Signed-in members who saved the event before it ended can rate it from 1 to 5 stars once it's over, with an optional written review. Organizers can't review their own events, and each member gets one review per event, which they can edit or delete.

How do I report a wrong or suspicious listing?

Use "Report event" on the event page, or contact us with the link. We check every report against our Community Guidelines and correct or remove listings that break them.

What is a government industry day?

An industry day is a briefing a federal agency holds for contractors before, or early in, a procurement. The agency shares its requirements, timeline and acquisition strategy, answers questions, and often lets companies meet the program team and possible teaming partners.

Agencies usually announce them on SAM.gov as special notices or alongside a sources sought notice or draft RFP. We collect them under Industry days.

What is a GovCon matchmaking event?

A matchmaking event pairs businesses with agency buyers, small business specialists or prime contractors in short, pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings. You usually register early and request meetings based on your NAICS codes and capabilities. Browse upcoming matchmaking events.

Are government contracting conferences worth it for small businesses?

They can be, if you choose them well. The best events put you in the room with the agencies and primes that buy what you sell. Before you register, check who is speaking or exhibiting, whether there are matchmaking sessions, and whether the audience matches your NAICS codes. A focused industry day often beats a large expo.

How should I prepare for a government contracting event?

Bring a one-page capability statement (make one free), and know your UEI, CAGE code and NAICS codes (look up your NAICS code). Research the agencies attending and their recent awards (UEI lookup helps), pick the people you want to meet, and follow up within a few days.