Statewide Training & Event Calendar
Preregistration is required for all events. Each registration link is program-specific. If no link is listed, online registration is not available or registration has closed.
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. We accept credit cards 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. If you can't log into your account to register for training, a verification code will be sent from this email address. We use this email frequently, so please add it to your approved sender list.
Please review our
cancellation and refund
policies.
 The Massachusetts Export Center organizes seminars, webinars
and events throughout the year under Partners for Trade—the
official export training initiative of the Commonwealth. The Export Center
also offers an opportunity to view archived webinars. For further
information, visit www.mass.gov/export.
On the calendar below, 
indicates an exporting training event. |
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 The
Massachusetts Export Center created the
Massachusetts Export Resource Center, a comprehensive,
one-stop resource for accessing a wide range of instructional and practical
information on exporting to help your business grow and take advantage of
international opportunities. Click on the logo to view the website.
Registration is free! |
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 Did you know that the U.S. Small Business Administration offers free online training through its Learning Center? Click on the SBA logo to view topics.
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|  SCORE
conducts a variety of free and low-cost, educational workshops that provide
valuable information necessary for establishing and managing a successful
business.Greater Boston | Western MA | Central MA | Southeast MA | Cape Cod & the Islands | Northeast MA
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Visit our community calendar for additional training
opportunities. |
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Program Descriptions
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How to Become a GSA Federal Supply Schedule Holder and Government Contracting 101
This free one-day workshop is typically held monthly in Boston. This workshop, designed to encourage and support small businesses interested in obtaining a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract; learn more about contracting opportunities, the procurement process and resources available. Not sure which solicitation applies to your product or service? Refer to GSA's Schedules e-Library website in order to view or download solicitations. You can also view and download solicitations by visiting the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. Before attending the workshop, please review the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program and the GSA Vendor Tool Box. Please direct any questions regarding the GSA MAS Program to the GSA MAS Helpdesk (National Customer Service Center) by phone at 800-488-3111 or by email at mashelpdesk@gsa.gov. To register, click on a specific date below and you will be transferred to the registration form. Space is limited to the first 25 participants, so register early! Date:
TBA |
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Introduction to Government Contracting
To register for an event, click on a specific date below and you will be transferred to the registration form. Space is limited, so register early! Dates: TBA |
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General information will be provided on the following programs and services:
These free two-hour programs are offered frequently at various locations. Click on button below to visit SBA's website for dates, locations and registration information.
Cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and area chambers of commerce |
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Legal Clinics (offered monthly in Southeast Massachusetts)
We are pleased to announce that Christopher Cassara, Esq., partner at Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP (PSH), is continuing to hold free Legal Clinics in our office and at our outreach locations. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are eligible to meet one-time, one-on-one for 30 minutes, to discuss general legal questions such as corporate structure, leases, contracts, insurance, employment, franchising, and various other business related issues.
These free and confidential 30-minute sessions are offered once a month at various locations. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration opens online two weeks prior to each legal clinic's date. If you have questions, please call the MSBDC office at 508-673-9783.
As a courtesy to Attorney Cassara, who is volunteering
his time for the clinics, please call our office at at least 24 hours in
advance if you cannot attend your appointment. Dates: Monthly on Fridays
- see dates below Register online by clicking on the desired date below:
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Basics of Starting Your Business
There will also be an overview of the U.S. Small Business Administration's programs and services. The presentation will help you gain a better understanding of the various SBA programs and services available to prospective or current entrepreneurs who need assistance in starting or expanding their businesses, and will include capital, counseling and contracting information. Oreste Varela, branch manager of the U.S. Small Business Administration in Springfield, will be a speaker. Also presenting from the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, Western Regional Office: Samalid Hogan, regional director/senior business advisor; Allen Kronick, senior business advisor; or Anita Eliason, senior business advisor. There is no charge for these workshops, but pre-registration is required. This workshop is offered on several convenient dates. To register, click on your date selection below. A Zoom link for the webinar will be emailed to you after registration. Dates: Monthly on Mondays - click on
the selected date below to register
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Small Business Resources Forum
There is no charge for the forum, but pre-registration is required. This event is offered on the first Thursday. You can choose a date on the registration form. Brought to you by the Western Mass Means Business Collaboration. The Western Massachusetts Means Business (WMMB) is a collaboration of the Center for Women and Enterprise, Common Capital, Franklin County Community Development Corporation, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, SCORE of Western Mass, Valley Community Development Corporation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Clark University and Salem State University. Dates: Monthly on Thursdays:
February 4, March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, 2021
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Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Business Fundamentals Join us to learn how to make your company appealing to the right buyer as Tom Gledhill, author of Xitpro System and The Big Transfer, explains not only what to do to position your company to sell, but how to do it. Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Held in cooperation with SEED Corporation and Eastern Bank |
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Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Understanding Business Financials Participants will learn how to read and a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, and keep on top of their business finances. The workshop also explains how a small business owner can anticipate financial needs in order to operate the business more efficiently through a deeper understanding of their financial picture. The workshop is open to anyone currently in business, starting a business, or thinking about someday owning a business, as well as business assistance professionals who would like to learn more about SEED's technical assistance programming. Date: Thursday, January 28, 2021
Held in cooperation with SEED Corporation and Eastern Bank |
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Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Please join Ili Spahiu, Lead Lender Relations Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration, to hear about the Paycheck Protection Program. Mr. Spahiu will discuss the criteria and requirements for the new round of the PPP as well as the forgiveness process for PPP loans awarded in 2020. He will also provide updates about the SBA’s EDIL program. There will be a Q & A session at the end of this virtual event. Date: Friday, January 29, 2021
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Introduction to the State of Massachusetts Contracting for Small Businesses Join Michelle Simoes of the Massachusetts Procurement Technical Assistance Center as she focuses on the state of Massachusetts registrations, certifications and contracting opportunities. Date: Thursday, February 4, 2021
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Positioning Your Company to Sell Post COVID COVID-19 has raised havoc with small businesses. Many business owners who planned to sell their companies had to put it on hold and many more plan to sell after the pandemic is over. But more than ever they need to prepare and position their company to sell if they want to be among the only 20% of businesses that actually sell. Date: Thursday, February
11, 2021
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Building Sustainable Business (BSB) Webinar Series In today’s environment, business leaders must capture new revenue and increase operational efficiency. The Building Sustainable Businesses (BSB) monthly webinar series is designed for business leaders who want to grow and improve their companies. This is a free series, but you must register for each session. Visit the link below for complete details. Sessions will be held monthly from December 2020 - September 2021. Visit www.msbdc.org/bsb for details on all the sessions. |
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Serie de emprendimiento ofrecida en español (serie de 10 partes)
El MSBDC de la Universidad de Clark y la Organización Empresarial Latinoamericana (LABO) ofrecen un curso de 10 semanas para personas interesadas en aprender sobre el espíritu empresarial o que ya han iniciado su propio negocio. El orador será el Dr. John Dobson (biografía), un emprendedor en serie. Antes de unirse a la academia, lanzó y vendió con éxito varios negocios. Enseña Emprendimiento en la Universidad de Clark. Su experiencia está en la difusión de innovaciones y lanzamientos exitosos de productos / negocios. El Dr. Dobson tiene una Maestría en Desarrollo Internacional de la London School of Economics y también un Doctorado de la Universidad de Manchester (Reino Unido). Tiene más de 25 años de experiencia empresarial, que utiliza para desarrollar un enfoque basado en evidencia para ayudar a los estudiantes a iniciar negocios exitosos en los Estados Unidos y en todo el mundo. Fechas: Lunes consecutivos, del 11 de enero al
15 de marzo de 2021
Copatrocinado por la Organización Empresarial Latinoamericana (LABO) |
All
services are provided by PSH which is not acting as an agent and/or
representative of the Massachusetts Small Business Development
Center Network. By meeting with PSH you agree to indemnify and hold
harmless the MSBDC from any and all claims and liability arising
from your session with PSH. Participants will receive a general
waiver statement prior to their meeting. 
Learn about current grants, loans, and other resources in Western
Massachusetts for small businesses. Join in a live Q&A to get your individual
questions answered. There will also be a local business advisor to
schedule you for no-charge business counseling services, to help you
with marketing your business, understanding your financials and
applying for loans or grants available to businesses economically
impacted by the pandemic. The forum will be modertated by Jessi
Kirley, a small business advisor with the Massachusetts Small Business
Development Center, Western Regional Office. 