Training Seminars & Events

The Western Region offers a full calendar of business training. All training is currently offered at no charge. This calendar is subject to change. Pre-registration is required for all events. Please review our training policies at the bottom of the page. For information on other Massachusetts SBDC training offered throughout the state, visit the Massachusetts SBDC's statewide training calendar at www.msbdc.org.

We would like to thank the following agencies for cosponsoring our training events.

Platinum Sponsors:

Gold Sponsor:

Silver Sponsors:
Freedom Credit Union | Granite State Development Corporation | Greenfield Northampton Cooperative Bank | Holyoke Credit Union | Monson Savings Bank

2025 Training Calendar
Unless otherwise noted, training is offered online.

Oct 08	Understanding Cash Flow and How It Affects Your Business
Oct 23	WBOA Social Media Boot Camp (Springfield)
Oct 29	CEO Roundtable: Cyber Resilience in Action, A Hands-On Experience for Small Business Leaders (Springfield)
Nov 05	Tech Talks with Rob (topic: TBD)
Dec 03	Tech Talks with Rob (topic: TBD)

Program Descriptions

Tech Talks with Rob Join us for "Tech Talks with Rob" an enlightening webinar series designed specifically for small business owners looking to navigate the complex world of technology. Each session, hosted by tech expert Rob DelMastro, will delve into critical topics that are essential for running a modern business in the digital age. Various topics that we will cover: Professional Email Systems: Learn how to set up and manage a professional email system that enhances your business communication and credibility. Cybersecurity: Discover strategies to protect your business from cyber threats and ensure your data remains secure. Password Managers: Find out why password managers are a must-have for securing your sensitive information and how to implement them effectively. SEO: Uncover the secrets of Search Engine Optimization to increase your online visibility and drive more traffic to your website. Domains and Web Hosting: Get to grips with choosing the right domain names and web hosting services that align with your business goals. POS Systems: Explore the various Point of Sale systems available and how to select one that streamlines your sales processes. Whether you are tech-savvy or just getting started, "Tech Talks with Rob" will provide you with the knowledge and tools to leverage technology for your business’s success. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn, grow, and secure your business in the digital marketplace. During each session, Rob will present a brief 15–20-minute introduction to the topic at hand, followed by an interactive discussion and Q&A period. This series aims to create a welcoming environment where participants are encouraged to ask questions. Remember, there are no bad questions. Date: Held on the first Wednesday of the month - click on date below to register Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. ET Location: Online Cost: No charge Contact: Paula Pawloski at the Massachusetts SBDC at ppawlosk@umass.edu
Understanding Cash Flow and How It Affects Your Business Many a new business owner has asked, "What is cash flow and why is it so important?" The short answer is cash flow is the amount of money coming in to a business and the amount of money going out. Think of it as a water tank — water comes in at the top and drains out the bottom. So to keep your tank nice and full, you want more coming in than going out. Your business runs on cash — cash in and cash out — a very critical aspect to you and your business. This webinar will help you understand what cash flow is, why it's so important, and how to monitor. Whether you hire someone to handle your financials or do them yourself, you must understand these fundamentals. This workshop will teach: The basics of cash flow The timing of cash inflows and outflows How to manage your cash flow projections How cash flow is different from profit How to improve your company's cash flow The speakers will be Alison Walsh and Matthew Ogrodowicz, Certified Public Accountants with Boisselle, Morton & Wolkowicz, LLP. Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 Time: 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. ET Location: Online Cost: No charge Contact: Paula Pawloski at the Massachusetts SBDC at ppawlosk@umass.edu
WBOA Social Media Boot Camp Social media can often feel overwhelming, but the Women Business Owners Alliance (WBOA) and the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center - Western Region are here to help! Join us for an open networking event where you can share and learn, regardless of membership status. Stay tuned and invite your friends! The agenda will feature presentations, hands-on activities, and dedicated networking time. Come discover more about social media, understanding your audience, matching your strategies to your audience, creating effective content, and using AI in social posts that you can implement right away. >>Click here for flyer! Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025 Time: 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. ET Location: UMass Amherst Center at Springfield, Tower Square, 1500 Main Street, Suite 260, Springfield Cost: $90 / $70 with code MSBDC Contact: Women Business Owners Alliance at connect@wboa.org Sponsored by the Women Business Owners Alliance; cosponsored by the Massachusetts SBDC
CEO Roundtable: Cyber Resilience in Action, A Hands-On Experience for Small Business Leaders October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and there's no better time to strengthen your business’s defenses. Join fellow CEOs for an engaging, interactive event featuring the CyberSecureDeck — a cybersecurity card game designed to simulate real-world threats and response strategies. What to Expect: Step into a leadership role in a fictional organization facing a cyber crisis. Collaborate with peers to make strategic decisions across IT, HR, Legal, and more. Experience the five pillars of cybersecurity: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover. Walk away with insights you can apply to your own business’s cyber readiness. Why Attend? Cyber threats are evolving — is your business prepared? Learn how to build a cyber-aware culture without technical jargon. Network with other small business leaders who share your concerns. Leave with actionable strategies and a renewed sense of confidence. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just starting to think about cybersecurity, this event will empower you to lead your organization with resilience. The facilitator will be Rob DelMastro, regional director of the Massachusetts SBDC - Western Region. Special guest will be John Petrozzelli, director of MassCyberCenter. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. ET Location: UMass Amherst Center at Springfield, Tower Square, 1500 Main Street, Suite 260, Springfield Cost: No charge Contact: Paula Pawloski at ppawlosk@umass.edu

Training Policies: Training events are supported by federal taxpayer funds. By registering, you certify that you are legally authorized to receive services funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations. The Massachusetts SBDC reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a training session. Seminar materials are for attendees only.

Tech Talks with Rob

Join us for "Tech Talks with Rob" an enlightening webinar series designed specifically for small business owners looking to navigate the complex world of technology. Each session, hosted by tech expert Rob DelMastro, will delve into critical topics that are essential for running a modern business in the digital age.

Various topics that we will cover:

Professional Email Systems: Learn how to set up and manage a professional email system that enhances your business communication and credibility.
Cybersecurity: Discover strategies to protect your business from cyber threats and ensure your data remains secure.
Password Managers: Find out why password managers are a must-have for securing your sensitive information and how to implement them effectively.
SEO: Uncover the secrets of Search Engine Optimization to increase your online visibility and drive more traffic to your website.
Domains and Web Hosting: Get to grips with choosing the right domain names and web hosting services that align with your business goals.
POS Systems: Explore the various Point of Sale systems available and how to select one that streamlines your sales processes.

Whether you are tech-savvy or just getting started, "Tech Talks with Rob" will provide you with the knowledge and tools to leverage technology for your business’s success. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn, grow, and secure your business in the digital marketplace. During each session, Rob will present a brief 15–20-minute introduction to the topic at hand, followed by an interactive discussion and Q&A period. This series aims to create a welcoming environment where participants are encouraged to ask questions. Remember, there are no bad questions.

Date: Held on the first Wednesday of the month - click on date below to register
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. ET
Location: Online
Cost: No charge
Contact: Paula Pawloski at the Massachusetts SBDC at ppawlosk@umass.edu

Understanding Cash Flow and How It Affects Your Business

Many a new business owner has asked, "What is cash flow and why is it so important?" The short answer is cash flow is the amount of money coming in to a business and the amount of money going out. Think of it as a water tank — water comes in at the top and drains out the bottom. So to keep your tank nice and full, you want more coming in than going out. Your business runs on cash — cash in and cash out — a very critical aspect to you and your business.

This webinar will help you understand what cash flow is, why it's so important, and how to monitor. Whether you hire someone to handle your financials or do them yourself, you must understand these fundamentals.

This workshop will teach:

The basics of cash flow
The timing of cash inflows and outflows
How to manage your cash flow projections
How cash flow is different from profit
How to improve your company's cash flow

The speakers will be Alison Walsh and Matthew Ogrodowicz, Certified Public Accountants with Boisselle, Morton & Wolkowicz, LLP.

Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Time: 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. ET
Location: Online
Cost: No charge
Contact: Paula Pawloski at the Massachusetts SBDC at ppawlosk@umass.edu

WBOA Social Media Boot Camp

Social media can often feel overwhelming, but the Women Business Owners Alliance (WBOA) and the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center - Western Region are here to help! Join us for an open networking event where you can share and learn, regardless of membership status. Stay tuned and invite your friends!

The agenda will feature presentations, hands-on activities, and dedicated networking time. Come discover more about social media, understanding your audience, matching your strategies to your audience, creating effective content, and using AI in social posts that you can implement right away.

>>Click here for flyer!

Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Time: 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: UMass Amherst Center at Springfield, Tower Square, 1500 Main Street, Suite 260, Springfield
Cost: $90 / $70 with code MSBDC
Contact: Women Business Owners Alliance at connect@wboa.org

Sponsored by the Women Business Owners Alliance; cosponsored by the Massachusetts SBDC

CEO Roundtable: Cyber Resilience in Action, A Hands-On Experience for Small Business Leaders

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and there's no better time to strengthen your business’s defenses. Join fellow CEOs for an engaging, interactive event featuring the CyberSecureDeck — a cybersecurity card game designed to simulate real-world threats and response strategies.

What to Expect:

Step into a leadership role in a fictional organization facing a cyber crisis.
Collaborate with peers to make strategic decisions across IT, HR, Legal, and more.
Experience the five pillars of cybersecurity: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover.
Walk away with insights you can apply to your own business’s cyber readiness.

Why Attend?

Cyber threats are evolving — is your business prepared?
Learn how to build a cyber-aware culture without technical jargon.
Network with other small business leaders who share your concerns. Leave with actionable strategies and a renewed sense of confidence.

Whether you’re tech-savvy or just starting to think about cybersecurity, this event will empower you to lead your organization with resilience.

The facilitator will be Rob DelMastro, regional director of the Massachusetts SBDC - Western Region. Special guest will be John Petrozzelli, director of MassCyberCenter.

Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Time: 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. ET
Location: UMass Amherst Center at Springfield, Tower Square, 1500 Main Street, Suite 260, Springfield
Cost: No charge
Contact: Paula Pawloski at ppawlosk@umass.edu

Training Policies:

Training events are supported by federal taxpayer funds. By registering, you certify that you are legally authorized to receive services funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations.

The Massachusetts SBDC reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a training session. Seminar materials are for attendees only.

2025 Training Calendar
Unless otherwise noted, training is offered online.

Oct 08	Understanding Cash Flow and How It Affects Your Business
Oct 23	WBOA Social Media Boot Camp (Springfield)
Oct 29	CEO Roundtable: Cyber Resilience in Action, A Hands-On Experience for Small Business Leaders (Springfield)
Nov 05	Tech Talks with Rob (topic: TBD)
Dec 03	Tech Talks with Rob (topic: TBD)