This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.
By Tara Palacios
What’s the Virginia SWaM Program you may ask yourself?
The SWaM Procurement Initiative was established to enhance business opportunities for small, women and minority-owned businesses and to ensure a level playing field for all small businesses in the Commonwealth of Virginia. SWaM is the acronym for Small, Women- and Minority-owned businesses. A SWaM vendor is a business that has been certified by the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity and is listed in the SWaM Vendor Directory.
How can I win a SWaMmy?
The Commonwealth of Virginia in partnership with Arlington Economic Development’s BizLaunch is honoring businesses who are certified small, micro, woman-owned, minority-owned and service- disabled veteran-owned *SWaM kicking-off Business Appreciation Month (BAM) May 2020.
The SWaMmy Awards celebrate the successes and the steadfast achievements of our diverse business community in Virginia — who reflect and support our government efforts each day. Year-over-year, small businesses play a fundamental part of our Virginia business ecosystem which is why we are honoring the best of the best.
We need your SWaMmy nominations by COB March 20
Is there a small, micro, woman-owned, minority-owned, or service-disabled veteran-owned business in your Virginia community you’d like to see honored? We cordially ask you share the nomination form with them today.
Simply click here and have the business fill out their personalized information on SurveyMonkey. Be as detailed as possible. We are seeking SWaM businesses in the Commonwealth that have made a direct contribution to their community as well positively growing, and have a unique story to tell.
The top five nominees in each category will be invited to attend the SWaMmy Awards in Richmond on May 4, at the Omni Richmond Hotel from 5-8 p.m. Small businesses are eligible to apply if they receive their SWaM certification by COB March 20.