Statewide Training & Event Calendar
All training events are held in Massachusetts unless otherwise noted. 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
Registration and Cancellation 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.
Click on image to right to download the Export Center's Spring 2019 Partners for Trade export training brochure. |
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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. Registration is free! |
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 Did you know that the U.S. Small Business Administration offers free online training? Click on the SBA logo to view topics. |
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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. Space is limited, so register early! 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:
Wed., September 18, 2019 |
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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:
Friday,
October 4, 2019 |
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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)
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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Topics will include: introduction and need for planning; basic business plan format; choosing your legal form of organization; marketing, market planning and research; cash flow projections; financial statements; and financing. In addition, there will 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. In addition, Allen Kronick, a senior business advisor with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network's Western Regional Office, will speak. There is no charge for these workshops, but pre-registration is required.
To register, click on the appropriate date below. If you have
questions or problems registering online,
please contact Lynn Shedd at
lshedd@msbdc.umass.edu
or 413-577-1768.
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Basics of Starting or Growing Your Business Learn the whole nine yards of starting a business! This free workshop will help entrepreneurs write a business plan and provide structure to starting/managing their venture. It will also focus on business fundamentals; from startup considerations to business plan development and funding sources. Both those who want to start a business and existing business owners looking for guidance on creating a business plan and securing financing to grow their business will find this session helpful. Topics will include: introduction and need for planning; Basic business plan format; choosing your legal form of organization; marketing, market planning and research; cash flow projections; financial statements; and financing. In addition, there will 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. Bonus: If your business is food-related, you are invited to attend a guided tour of the Franklin County Community Development Corporation commercial kitchen following the workshop. Please follow these guidelines when visiting the commercial kitchen: no open-toed shoes, tank tops, or strong perfumes/colognes and limited jewelry. Anyone under the age of 18 is not permitted in the commercial kitchen area. Oreste Varela, branch manager of the U.S. Small Business Administration in Springfield, will be a speaker. In addition, Anita Eliason, a senior business advisor with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network's Western Regional Office, will speak. There is no charge for these workshops, but pre-registration is required.
To register, click on the appropriate date below. If you have
questions or problems registering online,
please contact the MSBDC Western Regional Office at
lshedd@msbdc.umass.edu
or 413-577-1768.
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This presentation will help you gain a better understanding of the core legal concepts impacting your business. Topics will include:
The speaker will be Sarah Willey, counsel with Bulkley Richardson and Gelinas' Business and Finance Department and a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group and Employment Law Practice Group. Sarah has experience advising clients in the areas of business formation, mergers and acquisitions, business succession planning, and corporate structuring of businesses in regulated industries. She counsels clients in protecting and maximizing their intellectual property via trademarks, copyrights, and licensing agreements. In addition, Sarah assists businesses with designing, implementing and auditing corporate compliance programs under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Date: Monday, September 16, 2019
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Protecting Intellectual Property Do you design unique products or make improvements to existing products? Do you develop creative ways to market and brand your business and its products or services? Chances are you have created valuable intellectual property ("IP") assets that can be monetized. Being intentional about creating IP assets that align with your business strategy may provide your company with a sustainable competitive advantage. The ideal time to think about aligning IP strategy and business strategy is during the early stages of business development. Understandably, during this time entrepreneurs are focused on structuring the business, building the core team, securing financing and much more. While these tasks are important, it is also important to consider key IP assets and strategies for creating and protecting those assets. This workshop will provide:
Speakers include: Lolita Darden is a registered Patent Attorney and Clinical Professor of Law at Suffolk University Law School. Lolita teaches in the area of intellectual property law (patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret). She is the Director of Suffolk's Intellectual Property & Entrepreneurship Clinic, a multi-disciplinary clinic serving new and emerging businesses. Prior to joining Suffolk, Lolita was Chief IP Counsel for Honeywell Consumer Products. She was also a partner with Sachnoff & Weaver where she counseled emerging technology businesses, Fortune 100® companies, and individuals on protecting, exploiting and creating rights in patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Kathy Parks is an angel investor based in Boston, focusing on women-led technology startups. Kathy is affiliated with Astia Angels, Portfolia FEMTECH Fund, Next Wave Impact Fund, and Pipeline Angels and has directly invested in six companies. She has over 25 years of experience in software engineering and currently works for IBM in business development for the IoT division, supporting the technology partner ecosystem. Twitter, LinkedIn Greg Sieczkiewicz is Founder of Picket Fence IP and Executive Partner & Chief IP Counsel at MPM Capital. Greg has been the architect of the IP strategy for over two dozen venture-backed life sciences companies with technologies that span the pharmaceutical spectrum including nucleic acid therapeutics, biologics, the microbiome, oncology, and protein engineering. Greg was previously Vice President, IP at Flagship Ventures. Earlier in his career, Greg practiced patent counseling and enforcement at national law firms Mintz Levin, Proskauer Rose and Foley Hoag. Greg graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with an A.B. in Biology, received his Ph.D. in Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology from Tufts University School of Medicine and graduated magna cum laude from the evening program of Suffolk University Law School. Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Cosponsored by Suffolk University Law School |
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STEP Program
Application Webinar Join us to learn about the Massachusetts
State Trade Expansion Program (“STEP”), which is available to
eligible Massachusetts small businesses for the purpose of
increasing export sales of their goods and services. The Massachusetts STEP program is
administered by the Massachusetts Office of International Trade &
Investment, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Export Center,
through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. This webinar will discuss the parameters
of the Massachusetts STEP program and walk participants through the
STEP application process. The webinar will provide guidance on
program eligibility and completion of the application, and will also
discuss specific elements that are critical for successful
applicants. The webinar will also provide tips on assessing export
readiness and planning international marketing activities in support
of the STEP application. Those applicants who have demonstrated a
strong commitment to exporting with a well-planned export strategy
will have the best likelihood of success! Special Note: Federal funding for the
2019-2020 Massachusetts STEP program has not yet been appropriated.
Applicants must complete and submit their applications with the
understanding that there is a risk that the program will not be
funded. Applicants must also understand that grant awards are made
on a competitive basis. For more information, visit
www.mass.gov/export/step. Date: Friday, September
20, 2019
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QuickBooks - In Depth Training for Beginners
If you have never used QuickBooks or don't understand how to leverage this powerful financial management tool, you should not miss this seminar series. The presenter will be Nancy Burgess, president and owner of Burgess Consulting. Nancy's interactive teaching style will leave you empowered and ready to tackle the financial management of your business. QuickBooks Desktop will be utilized. Registration is limited to 15 people. Dates: September 24 - 26, 2019
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The Incoterms® 2020 rules will come into
force on January 1, 2020. It is the ninth Incoterms® revision since
their inception in 1936. Development of the upcoming 2020 rules
entailed a 2½-year revision process, considering over 2,000
suggestions received from the 130+ International Chamber of Commerce
(ICC) national committees and related organizations. The resulting
2020 version incorporates changes in both substance and presentation
of Incoterms®. This full-day seminar will provide the
information you need to use the new and improved Incoterms® rules to
your advantage. Both the newly-revised Incoterms® Rules for
Americans and the official ICC Incoterms® 2020 books are
included – a retail value of over $150. Our special guest speaker will be:
Date: Tuesday, October
1, 2019
Cosponsored by the International
Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Council for International Business |
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Avoiding the Stumbling Blocks When You Start a Business What issues are stumbling blocks for entrepreneurs? By working with the right legal and accounting advisors, you can avoid costly mistakes and get yourself on a path to success. In this session, you will hear from a seasoned corporate law attorney and CPA on present real life examples of common mistakes entrepreneurs make and discuss how they were able to work through these problems. An accountant will also discuss the implications of not paying close attention to business financials. Topics will include legal entity, ownership, lease agreements and other important legal decisions you need to consider as a business owner. Speakers include Mary Casey, Esq., managing attorney at Harbor Law Group Ronald Rosen, CPA. Date: Thursday, October 3, 2019
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Powering Your Exports: A Program for Manufacturing and Tech Companies If you are a manufacturing or technology company in Massachusetts, you should be connected to the global market. Many successful exporters derive more revenue from outside the U.S. than from within it. How do they do it? What steps can you take to do the same? And how can you build export operations that are both effective and compliant? This program is about taking your sales and operations to the next level. We’ll discuss the steps to take for international expansion, implementation of export operations, and some of the potential pitfalls to be avoided. We will also review the many government resources, including grants and other supports, that are available to help supercharge your exports! Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University and the North Shore Chamber of Commerce |
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Nota: Este taller se presentará en español. Una copia de la presentación estará disponible en español y en inglés. Este taller abarcará los elementos fundamentales de un plan de negocios adecuado. Se cubrirán dos secciones: narrativa y finanzas. Se abordarán algunas áreas clave como la declaración de misión, el equipo de gestión, cómo se llevará a cabo el negocio, el plan de marketing, los costos iniciales y la financiación necesaria, entre otros. Se prestará especial atención a los estados financieros y cronogramas esenciales, como el estado de origen y uso, el estado de resultados, el estado de flujo de efectivo, el balance general, el cronograma de amortización y los ratios financieros clave. Fecha: Saturday, October 12, 2019
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Art of Business & Setting Prices Apple never discounts. Clothing stores build in a series of discounts to their initial price. Consulting companies use various techniques to avoid quoting an hourly rate. Law firms typically quote an hourly rate and stick to it. How do you determine what rate you should charge for your time? Too high and you scare clients away. Too low and your clients undervalue your work. There is an art to setting a price for your work. On one hand, what is a livable rate for your work? On the other hand, what is the range of rates for your work in your market? Do you discount? How do you price a job and how do you cover add-ons and other changes? Do you have separate rates for different types of clients? What about donating services? How do you negotiate rates with a potential client? The speaker will be Don Lesser of Pioneer Training, Inc., who has been in business for 30+ years. His companies have grown and shrunk, and the nature of his business has changed, but he is still thinking and working on his business. And, he is successful at it. This workshop will cover the process of determining your rate and sticking to it. The Art of Business is a collection of guiding principles that sum up the lessons Don has learned over the past 30 years. For Don, running a business is as much an art as it is a science. This session will also cover various parts of running a small business with an emphasis on what is involved in setting prices. Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2019
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What Makes a Wicked Good Website Creating a web presence is fairly straightforward for most businesses, but developing a comprehensive and effective web strategy is a challenge that requires attention, knowledge, and persistence. The dynamic web gurus from Wicked Good Web are experts in how to create and maintain an effective digital machine for businesses at all stages of development. Using real-world examples from their own New England clients, they'll work through how to create a winning digital strategy and cover information architecture, user experience/website design, search engine marketing, digital marketing optimization and tracking, and understanding Google Analytics and other analytics platforms. You'll come away with new information to help you develop appropriate digital strategies for businesses at all levels of development. The speakers will be Alison and Greg Wilder from Wicked Good Web. Since 2015, Alison and Greg have been working with businesses across Northern New England to transform their digital strategies by taking full advantage of today's possibilities in data mining and analysis. Date: Thursday, October 17, 2019
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Considerations for a Business Owner's Retirement Plan Once a company is no longer a startup and knows it will be around for the foreseeable future, the next step in having a successful business is to set up a retirement plan. Whether you already have a plan or you are just starting the process of looking at different plans, the objectives are always the same.
This presentation is designed to give business owners and key executives the resources to help them choose the type of retirement plan that fits best for their company. Speakers include David Ferris II, CFP®, financial advisor with the Ferris Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2019
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Branding and Websites - How They Should be Integrated for Impact What makes you different, your brand, will serve as the building blocks for your website. Your website's goal is to build awareness, offering information, and compel a viewer to take action that results in sales. This will be an interactive workshop. After the experts discuss strategies behind your branding and website decisions, they will show examples and ask for audience participation. If time allows, you may have the opportunity to have your website critiqued by the audience. Speakers include:
Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2019
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Roadmap for Building an Amazing Website This seminar will cover all of the aspects and elements involved in the planning and design of an amazing website for your business. Specifically, the seminar will cover the three major phases of building a website: planning, content creation and building, and what to do after "going live". Whether you are looking to DIY or work with a website developer, you won't want to miss the practical tips and information provided in this seminar! The speaker will be Derek Allard who first started working on the internet in early 2000 for a digital healthcare startup. He has worked for large corporations and smaller design studios and brought all of that experience to Tunnel 7, which he started in 2010. With a focus on making clients successful, he has left a long trail of happy clients over the years and continues to build relationships with new organizations. When not at work, Derek can be found hiking, riding bicycles and photographing birds. Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2019
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Primeros Pasos Para Emprender Un Negocio Propio Este taller te dará información essential para orientarte en como emprender un negocio propio. Comenzar un negocio es una aventura y verás que al principio te abrumarás muy fácilmente, sin embargo la clave para seguir en pie es contar con un plan de trabajo a seguir, un mapa que te debe guiar a lo largo del camino de tu negocio. Se requiere registración antes del taller. Regístrese en nuestra página de la internet. Fecha: 4 de Noviembre de 2019
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Learning the proper sources of financing to start, expand or acquire a business can be one of the most difficult problems a business owner may encounter. What are the different options to fund your business? What are the legal and or tax implications to your decisions. Our panel of experts will represent several different sources and types of funding. Learn your range of options and the impact of your decisions. Speakers include:
Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2019
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This presentation will help you gain a better understanding of the core legal concepts impacting your business. Topics will include:
The speaker will be Sarah Willey, counsel with Bulkley Richardson and Gelinas' Business and Finance Department and a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group and Employment Law Practice Group. Sarah has experience advising clients in the areas of business formation, mergers and acquisitions, business succession planning, and corporate structuring of businesses in regulated industries. She counsels clients in protecting and maximizing their intellectual property via trademarks, copyrights, and licensing agreements. In addition, Sarah assists businesses with designing, implementing and auditing corporate compliance programs under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Date: Thursday, November 14, 2019
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Deemed Export Compliance & Technology Control Plan Development
Deemed exports can involve employees, customers, contractors, suppliers, visitors and other parties. This makes compliance relevant for every function, ranging from HR to engineering to security and beyond. In order to effectively manage deemed export compliance, many companies that generate or receive export controlled technology implement a Technology Control Plan (TCP). A TCP is an internal compliance plan that outlines the measures to prevent unauthorized release of controlled technology or technical data for export compliance purposes. Join us for this program to learn the ins and outs of deemed export compliance, including: which technology or technical data is subject to the rule; the differences between deemed export treatment under the ITAR and the EAR; licensing requirements and license exception usage; screening of foreign nationals and certification of deemed export compliance on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-129; elements of a Technology Control Plan and procedures to ensure compliance. The speaker will be Dr. Jennifer Saak, Managing Director of Traliance. Date: Friday, November 15, 2019
Cosponsored by Traliance |
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Understanding Your Company's Cash Flow 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 into 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. This seminar will help you understand what cash flow is, why it's so important, and how to monitor it. Your business runs on cash—cash in and cash out—a very critical aspect to you and your business. Whether you hire someone to handle your financials or do them yourself, you must understand these fundamentals. This workshop will teach:
The speaker will be Robb Morton, who has more than 30 years of experience in public and management accounting. As both a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant, Robb offers an excellent source for not only technical accounting and tax issues, but for management advisory support as well. Robb's 7+ years of experience as a controller gives him a unique perspective that serves as a tremendous benefit when dealing with the challenges faced by his small business clients. Robb also has extensive experience working with family owned businesses both as advisor and as a member of their management team. Parking Information: Parking is free and available along Keyes Street or in the bank visitor parking lot off of Keyes Street. The entrance is under the blue Florence Bank awning in the middle of the building on Keyes Street. Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Cosponsored by Florence Savings Bank |
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Implement Tax Strategies for your Business Planning Understanding taxes and the applicability to your business can be intimidating. However, not having a comprehensive tax strategy for your business can put your company, and as a result you personally, at a disadvantage. Last year there was significant tax reform. During this illuminating seminar, S&G will discuss tax considerations that are essential to your business success. Understand and discuss implementation strategies using examples with the 2018 tax law changes: What did the Tax Cuts and Jobs Bill mean to your industry? Are there strategies that could impact your business performance? Should you be making changes looking forward? This seminar will be important to the owners of small and medium sized businesses, both well established and those just starting out. Speakers include:
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019
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Business Workshop for Entrepreneurs Session I: Business Fundamentals (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) Session II: Understanding Financial Statements (1:00 - 4:00 p.m.) Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Cosponsored by South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation |
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The Massachusetts Export Center’s Export
Expo provides a forum for exporters to connect with the wide range
of export resources available in Massachusetts while learning about
issues that impact their day-to-day export operations. The event will include an exhibit area
featuring government, non-profit and private sector service
providers serving the export community. Coinciding with the
exhibition, the Export Center will convene workshops and roundtable
discussions throughout the day on a variety of export-related
topics.
The Export Expo will feature influential guest speakers,
opportunities to connect with experts to answer your specific export
questions, networking and fun! This event regularly sells out.
Space is limited, so register early! Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are available! Click here or contact Paula Murphy at 617-973-6610 or paula.murphy@massexport.org for further information. Date: Friday, December
13, 2019
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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 the whole nine yards of starting a business! This free
workshop will focus on business fundamentals, from start-up
considerations to business plan development and funding sources. It will help entrepreneurs write a business plan and
provide structure to starting/managing their venture. This workshop
is appropriate for anyone who wants to start a business and existing
business owners looking for guidance on creating a business plan and
securing financing to grow their business.
This three-day, nine-hour workshop for QuickBooks includes setup,
data entry and financial reporting. These sessions are open
discussion, non-threatening, not overwhelming, and you will be able
to ask specific questions. 
Incoterms®
provide internationally-accepted definitions and rules of
interpretation for most common commercial terms used in contracts
for the sale and transfer of goods. The terms help traders to avoid
costly misunderstandings by clarifying the tasks, costs and risks
involved in the delivery of goods from sellers to buyers worldwide. 
The
Deemed Export rule is a special provision of U.S. export regulations
that treats the transfer of controlled technology or technical data
to foreign nationals—even within U.S. borders—as an export
transaction for export control purposes. Many exporters are not
aware that they are involved in exporting even if there is no
physical product shipment and they are just disclosing controlled
technology to foreign nationals. 
Join
us for the state’s largest and most important export event of the
year that brings together resources, training and information for
the local exporting community!