Massachusetts SBDC Network Statewide Training & Event Calendar
Preregistration is required for all events. If no link is listed on the registration page, online registration is not available or registration has closed. Please read important registration information by clicking here.
The Massachusetts Export Center organizes seminars, webinars and events throughout the year under Partners for Trade—the official export training initiative of the Commonwealth. Coming Soon - click here for the Spring 2024 Partners for Trade training booklet. On the calendar below, indicates an exporting training event. |
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Program Descriptions
How to Start a Business 101: The Basics The How to Start a Business series is a three-part series designed to provide new business owners with an overview of the information and tools needed to evaluate and develop a new business idea. In this first session, topics include:
The speaker will be a Massachusetts SBDC Network regional director or business advisor. There is no charge for these workshops, but pre-registration is required. This workshop is offered on several convenient dates. A Zoom link for the webinar will be emailed to you immediately after registration from centeric@clients.msbdc.org. Please add this email to your safe sender list. Date: Typically held on the first and
third Thursday of the month - click on date below to register
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Maximizing the Benefits of International Trade Show Participation International trade shows have become an essential tool for businesses looking to tap into global markets. These events provide a unique opportunity to establish global contacts, evaluate the competitiveness of a company’s products and services in foreign markets, create brand awareness, gain exposure to potential suppliers, channel partners and customers, generate leads, and forge valuable partnerships. However, maximizing trade show success in a cost-effective way requires careful planning, thorough market research to assess market potential and customer requirements, realistic budget, effective marketing and PR, and well-executed follow-up. This program will discuss strategies and tools that businesses can use to maximize international trade show ROI, as well as trade show services available to the US companies through the Department of Commerce. We will also hear from an exporter that has been a successful exhibitor at international trade shows for years, for a different angle on trade show participation. Speakers:
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2024
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Exploring Certifications and Finding Procurement Opportunities In our first session on Exploring Certifications, we will review the more commonly used certifications available to small businesses and clarify some of the misconceptions around certifications. As an entrepreneur you will often hear that certifications will open doors for growing your business, but a certification does not guarantee contracts. We will explore which certifications may be best for your business and the “value add” they provide. During the second session on Finding Procurement Opportunities, we will explore the state, local and federal procurement sites so you know where to register to find potential opportunities and solicitations for you to bid on. The speaker will be Sandra Ledbetter, government sales advisor with the Massachusetts SBDC Network. Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Cosponsored by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce |
Five Tiny Fixes to Improve Your Small Business Marketing Are you looking for simple yet powerful strategies to elevate your brand presence, attract more customers, and drive growth? This webinar will discuss five tiny fixes to improve your small business marketing. Topics will include:
The speaker will be Cara Chatellier, founder and creative director of Bubbly Creative. Date: Wednesday, March
27, 2024
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Waste Reduction in Food and Beverage Processing Businesses Join us to learn how businesses that make food and beverages can reduce their environmental impact and increase profitability through waste reduction. Connect with Massachusetts programs that provide the free one-on-one support your business needs to improve your sustainability. Presented by the UMass Energy Transition Institute with speaker from the RecyclingWorks Massachusetts. Date: Thursday, March 28, 2024
Cosponsored by the UMass Energy Transition Institute, Massachusetts SBDC Network, and supported by U.S. EPA Pollution Prevention Grant 00A01092 |
Demystify AI: Discover How Generative AI Can Transform Your Business and Drive Growth This workshop will focus on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support business strategy, enhance customer service, improve sales, and maintain competitiveness. The use of real-world examples is emphasized to make the content relatable and actionable. Speakers include:
Date: Thursday, March
28, 2024
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Join us for a comprehensive workshop on mastering the fundamentals of business lending. Learn essential principles needed to navigate the intricate world of financing for the growth of your business. Gain insight on where to start, different lending options and what lenders are looking for in terms of you as a borrower. The speaker will be Sonia Descormiers, Vice President, Relationship Manager with Berkshire Bank. Date: Tuesday, April 9, 2024
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Compliance Clinic (for Compliance Alliance Members only) Join us for an informal, off-the-record, give-and-take discussion between exporters that will allow participants to ask questions, share information and "compare notes" on trade compliance issues of interest and concern. All topics are on the table! No agenda, no talking points – just a private, interactive discussion between trade compliance professionals. Bring your questions and concerns, and be prepared to join in the discussion! We have also invited a “Resident Expert” to be on hand in cases of questions needing legal expertise. The Resident Expert for this Compliance Clinic will be fellow Compliance Alliance member, Matt Bock, Partner with Bock Trade Law. Date: Friday, April 12, 2024
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Preparing a Government-Targeted Capability Statement – A Business Resume Join us for a workshop on developing a government-focused capability statement. Learn about this special type of marketing collateral you need to create when targeting the government marketplace. A focused, well-prepared capability statement (CS) will assist you in marketing your products and services to large businesses with supplier diversity programs, federal agencies, and other similar markets. A CS is an effective, inexpensive marketing tool used to quickly highlight your strengths and capabilities when marketing and representing your small business. Please join us for an overview of what is included in a capability statement so you too can prepare a dynamic government-targeted CS for your future marketing outreach. The speaker will be Sandra Ledbetter, government sales advisor with the Massachusetts SBDC Network. Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024
Cosponsored by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce |
CYA on KYC: Employing Reasonable Due Diligence for Global Trade Compliance Exporters face ever-increasing end use and end user due diligence requirements for effective management of global trade compliance. Restricted end uses, significant expansion of restricted parties, broadening Military End Use rules, the OFAC 50% rule, and increased emphasis on illegal diversion are just a few reasons why due diligence is critical. Moreover, federal authorities continue to expand Red Flag listings and Know Your Customer (KYC) guidance, creating additional due diligence concerns for exporters. It is no wonder, therefore, that many exporters find themselves falling down a due diligence rabbithole in trying to achieve compliance, with screening protocols, end user statements, independent research efforts and more. On top of that, due diligence efforts don’t always yield clear-cut results, which can create unease for many. This webinar will review due diligence best practices for exporters, with an emphasis on employing reasonable protocols for achieving compliance. The webinar will address due diligence in challenging markets, such as China, and will discuss clearance of transactions in cases involving screening ambiguity or red flags. Join us for this practical program that will help you to confidently fulfill your due diligence obligations while maintaining manageable processes and achieving peace-of-mind in export transactions. Speakers:
Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2024
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China’s Anti-Espionage Law One Year Later: Lessons Learned for U.S. Businesses Operating in China China’s expanded “Anti-Espionage Law” has been in effect for nearly a year now. The new law significantly expanded the scope of covered espionage activities and established broad criteria for determining espionage behavior, while granting extensive investigative power to Chinese national security agencies. The broadening of the law has brought unexpected risk to normal operations of U.S. businesses in China. What should U.S. businesses operating in China know about their risks under the law, and what lessons can be gleaned from China’s policy and enforcement actions so far? This webinar will review key provisions under China’s expanded Anti-Espionage Law and areas of risk for U.S. businesses operating in China. The webinar will discuss activities that could trigger these provisions and strategies for reducing potential legal risk. The webinar will also discuss the convergence of the Anti-Espionage Law with U.S. regulatory requirements, such as required due diligence under U.S. export control laws. Finally, the webinar will also review lessons learned from activity and enforcement actions under the law so far. Speaker:
Date: Friday, May 10, 2024
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Best Practices for AES Filing and Compliance With the tightening of export regulations and product controls, understanding your responsibilities for export reporting in the Automated Export System (AES) and compliance with the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) has never been more important. Whether filing directly or through a forwarder, exporters are responsible for the required Electronic Export Information (EEI) elements and may be vulnerable to enforcement investigations and violations if the reporting is inaccurate or incomplete. While this program will provide an overview of AES, the discussion will also detail the responsibilities of the parties involved in the transaction, license type and license exemption codes, and understanding when it is required to include ECCN and export license numbers in reporting. We will also discuss best practices for due diligence and auditing, and exporter obligations in routed export transactions, along with associated compliance risks. Speakers:
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024
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Use of the Cloud for Export-Controlled Tech Data: Trends, Tips and Best Practices Cloud technology has grown to become the standard for storing, sharing and accessing data for most businesses. However, companies using the cloud to store export-controlled tech data or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers using the cloud to distribute software functionality must take special precautions to ensure that they remain compliant with U.S. export control laws. Both the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) have provisions that allow for cloud usage for export-controlled technical data under certain conditions, but companies must be vigilant and implement data security protocols in order to remain compliant. Most recently, the cloud is back in the export control spotlight, with the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issuing a proposed rule in early 2024 that would require U.S. cloud or Infrastructure as a Service providers (IaaS) to create sweeping new programs to identify and track foreign customers while also authorizing BIS to block or restrict IaaS transactions in certain foreign jurisdictions or with certain foreign persons. The proposed rule also implements reporting requirements for IaaS providers when foreign customers use U.S. cloud infrastructure for certain AI applications. Join us for this webinar that will review best practices and requirements for compliance when using the cloud for export-controlled technical data. The webinar will also discuss the allowances for cloud usage under the EAR and the ITAR while providing guidance for implementing effective data security protocols. Finally, the webinar will discuss the new proposed rule for IaaS providers and what this may mean for the future of export controls as they relate to the cloud. Speaker:
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024
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Training registrations are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve your space for fee-based events, mail your payment to the appropriate office with a copy of the completed registration form. Credit cards are accepted ONLY for the Massachusetts Export Center's events. Your spot is reserved once payment is received by the appropriate office. Training programs may be added or cancelled; the training schedule is subject to change. Please note: Training confirmations are sent from centeric@clients.msbdc.org. We use this email frequently, so please add it to your approved sender list. A verification code will be sent from this email address allowing your to register for training. If you have problems signing in, do not create a new account with a different email in order to register. For help registering, send an email to the contact in the seminar description. Please review our cancellation and refund policies. |