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 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. |
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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:
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 here 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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QuickBooks Desktop: Introduction for Beginners Sorry, this event has been cancelled. This is an introduction to the popular accounting program QuickBooks. This session will cover setting up a new company, invoicing and receiving payments, writing checks and paying bills. The session will end with a brief introduction to and overview of reports. This session is suitable for those who have recently started using QuickBooks and those planning to use it. The basic principles of QuickBooks remain the same for the Windows, Macintosh, and on-line versions of the program although specific details of how to accomplish a task may differ slightly. It is not required, but if you have a laptop or tablet and have QuickBooks loaded on it, feel free to bring it and follow along. NOTE: This workshop is designed for training on the Basics of QuickBooks and is not intended to troubleshoot problems individuals may currently be experiencing. Those types of questions are better suited to a one-one consulting session. Presented by Don Lesser, President, Pioneer Training, Inc. Don has been a consultant and business owner for 30+ years. Don has been using QuickBooks since version 2.0 for MS-DOS. He has taught QuickBooks for over 20 years, as well as consulted in its use for a wide range of clients. Don is not an accountant and does not provide accounting advice, but focuses on how to use QuickBooks to track your company’s income and expenses. Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 |
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SBDC Day – The Right Amount of Planning for Your Business All businesses, whether startups or growth stage businesses, will benefit from taking the time to work on your business rather than always working in your business. A best practice for doing this is to focus your ideas and experience on planning for the business. Each business is as unique as the entrepreneurs running them, so planning for the business can and should be unique as well. Learn about a proven method for planning and managing your business, called Lean Planning, that you can implement right away. Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 |
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SEED Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Session I: Business Fundamentals
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Sponsored by SEED Corporation, Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation and Metro South Chamber of Commerce. Held in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), MA Small Business Development Center (MSBDC), and SCORE. |
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SEED Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Session II: Understanding Financial Statements
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Sponsored by SEED Corporation, Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation and Metro South Chamber of Commerce. Held in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), MA Small Business Development Center (MSBDC), and SCORE. |
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Turn Your Video Content Into a Beacon to Attract Your Business Prospects Learn how to leverage Video Search Engine Optimization (Video SEO) in your inbound marketing efforts to transform your video content into powerful, searchable text in order to help prospects find your business online. The speaker will be Ryan Reed, president of Rewatchable Video and Marketing. Date: Thursday, March 21, 2019
Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University |
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Enterprise Requirements Planning (ERP) Evaluation and Selection Services Many companies use an outdated ERP system that, at best, frustrates users of the system. Implementing a new ERP seems like the perfect solution to these frustrations. However, the selection process can be overwhelming. Determine high level goals Learn how to establish and prioritize your selection criteria Understand the importance of using a formalized selection process. Presented by MassMEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership). Date: Thursday, March 21, 2019
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10 Secrets to Getting Free Press Learn how to get free publicity with HARO—HelpAReporter.com—and gain media attention to build your brand, business and bottom line. Discover the tips, tools and tricks you need to get published! The speaker will be Robin Samora, a public relations/small business expert, mentor and speaker. Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University |
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Your Brand is More Thank Your Logo - Insights from the Front Lines of Marketing Julia Becker Collins, chief operating officer of Vision Advertising and Phil Hollows, founder and CEO of FeedBlitz, will present together about understanding what your brand is and how to make the most of your brand in the day-to-day operations of your business and in your marketing. Topics include:
Come prepared with your brand challenges and be excited to discuss them! Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2019
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Financial Planning for Your Small Business Join Cliff Robbins, senior business advisor with the MSBDC, to gain an understanding of the sources of capital to start a business, develop a capital strategy to fit any stage of your business, mentally prepare for the pros & cons of different funding sources, and rule out sources that will only be frustrating and a dead end. You don’t have to be wealthy to start a business.
Space is limited and online registration is required. Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Cosponsored by the New Bedford Economic Development Council |
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Drive Your Business With Social Media Social media has changed the marketing game! From understanding the different social media platforms. To choosing what to say and where to say it, this workshop will give you the keys to the most effective social media marketing plan. The speaker will be Doreen Nicastro, CEO of Nicastro Consultants. Date: Thursday, March 28, 2019
Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University |
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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! Available on the following convenient dates and locations:
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Don't Get Hacked - Learn How to Protect Your Financial Data Fraud is an ever present threat among business owners today. The latest report from the FBI notes that over 19,000 US victims reported fraud in the past two years alone. As you seek to grow your organization, protection should also be at the forefront of your mind. Rockland Trust will give you a perspective from a bank on how to protect your money and data:
You will also hear from Libis Bueno of Domitek on ransomware. Managing data is one of the most important and complex IT challenges for organizations of all sizes around the world. At this session, you will learn:
Speakers include a representative from Rockland Trust and Libis Bueno, CEO/CTO and founder of Domitek. Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2019
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From Good Idea to Marketable Product - 8 Steps to Successful Inventing How do you transform a creative concept into a real product? If you want to save time, money and aggravation while giving your project its best chance for success, make this workshop your first stop. Learn the manageable process for getting your project onto a solid foundation while avoiding the traps and pitfalls that can doom a venture. This workshop is for start-ups, entrepreneurs, and creative individuals… anyone with a new concept regardless of prior experience or stage in product development. Topics include:
Speakers include Elizabeth Pierotti, an inventor and strategic product developer for more than 30 years. Elizabeth has designed and developed innovations for both Fortune 500 companies and small business. Also speaking will be Mary Casey, Esq., who provides intellectual property services to clients around the country. Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2019
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Starting a Food Business - Beyond a Great Recipe You have either made the decision or are considering opening a food business. Do you know what regulations you must adhere to in the food industry in Massachusetts? What rules and regulations do you need comply with in order to legally serve and sell your food? This workshop will take you beyond great recipes. The Worcester Regional Food Hub kitchen provides a variety of services for start-up and existing food entrepreneurs, including hourly kitchen rentals, technical assistance, workshops, and support. It is designed to bolster a robust regional food system. The Food Hub’s mission is to increase local food access and consumption and recruit, retain, and incubate local food entrepreneurs, collectively building healthy, sustainable, and just communities. In this workshop you will learn about resources, how to obtain your ServSafe Manager and Allergen Awareness certifications, getting products tested, writing standard operating procedures and other considerations and requirements such as inspections of your facility. Learn what you need to know beyond your business plan. The speaker will be Shon Rainford, project manager with the Worcester Regional Food Hub. Date: Thursday, April 18, 2019
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Inefficiencies in business processes can be difficult to see and bottlenecks are not always obvious. Too often, organizations ignore these wastes and delays. You can produce greater value with higher quality in less time when Lean strategies are applied in your front office. Learn how to visualize a business process Be able to see the waste in it Learn about the tools to drive out that waste Presented by MassMEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership). Date: Thursday, April 25, 2019
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Best Practices for Voluntary and Required Self Disclosures Export control, economic sanctions and other related laws are complex and ever-changing. As such, U.S. companies engaged in international business transactions are at heightened risk for non-compliance. Even diligent, well-intentioned exporters often make mistakes in this dynamic regulatory climate. Exporters uncovering potential violations confront the question whether to voluntary self-disclose the matter to the relevant federal agency. Disclosure may be recommended in order to avoid or mitigate penalties, or to present a "clean house" for investors, lenders, or underwriters. In some instances, federal law requires disclosure and a blocking of funds or property interests, failure of which may constitute additional violations. This webinar will discuss factors affecting the decision whether to disclose export or sanctions violations, including the definitive identification of violations, likelihood of detection and enforcement action, possible fallout, and potential implications for employees and business partners. The webinar will also address what should be disclosed, how and when to make the disclosure, and how to minimize the likelihood of a penalty, including remedial actions. Finally, we will discuss best practices for working with outside counsel, investigating violations, preparing disclosures, and interacting with relevant federal agencies. In addition to discussing EAR, ITAR and OFAC disclosures, we will also discuss related disclosures and notifications under the DFARS cybersecurity requirements and CFIUS. Our speaker will be Kerry Scarlott, Partner with Baker & Hostetler LLP. Date: Thursday, April 25, 2019
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Business Continuity Strategies - Building Business Value An individual may start a business with any number of valid individual personal goals in mind:
The key to this process is building business value. Very few people have a solid plan.The goal of this session is to challenge the way you look at and run your business, and help you build a more profitable and stronger company which will build value for your business. They will walk you through the essential steps including strategic review, SWOT analysis, business value cycle, understanding value and drivers of value, and growth strategies. You own or are running your business for a reason. Please take the time from your busy schedule and the demands of operating your company to attend this strategic workshop. The speaker Terrence Shepherd, CM&AA, CPA, MST, managing partner S&G, LLP and principal at ROCG Affiliate. Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2019
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Customers expect high quality products, the first time and every time. A system that ensures quality at every process step—starting with design through order entry to delivery—can enable companies to meet this expectation.
Presented by MassMEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership). Date: Thursday, May 2, 2019
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Best Practices for Export Enforcement Management
Join us to hear directly from special agents on current trends in export enforcement, what they look for in effective export compliance operations, and how exporters should approach their relationships with the enforcement community. We will also hear from the industry perspective on establishing protocols for preparing for enforcement visits and managing relationships with enforcement authorities. Our speakers will be:
Date: Friday, May 3, 2019
Cosponsored by the University of Massachusetts Lowell |
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Duty Drawback: Your Secret Weapon in the Tariff War With recent, dramatic escalations in U.S. and global tariffs, it has become increasingly important for companies to investigate creative alternatives to help them remain competitive and maintain international sales revenue. If your company imports goods and either re-exports them or exports equivalent products, whether or not they have been altered or incorporated into finished products, you should consider adding Duty Drawback to your trade arsenal to help offset high tariffs. The drawback regulations under the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (TFTEA) were updated as of February 24, 2019 to modernize the law. The amended regulations make it easier to file and process drawback claims by requiring electronic filing, providing for more flexible merchandise substitution allowances, simplifying record keeping requirements, standardizing timelines for filing claims and reducing the data required for claim submissions. Join us for this timely program to learn more! This webinar will provide an overview of Duty Drawback allowances and procedures, as well as an update on the Drawback regulations under TFTEA. Our speakers will be:
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2019
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Understanding Your Company's Financial Statements If you are in business, financial statements are an essential tool. Knowing how to read your financial statements will help you to understand what happened last year in your business and what is likely to happen this year. This workshop will include information on balance sheets, income statements and profit/oss. The presenter will be Robb Morton who has 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. He has extensive experience working with family-owned businesses both as advisor and as a member of their management team. Robb works with many of the area banks and finance companies to assist his clients with their working capital and equipment financing needs. He also has extensive experience in business planning including projections and forecasts. Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Cosponsord by Boiselle, Morton & Wolkowicz, LLP |
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This presentation will help you gain a better understanding of the core legal concepts impacting your business.
Pre-registration is required. Register online with link below. Date: Monday, June 3, 2019
Cosponsored by SCORE |
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The U.S.-China trade relationship exceeded $700 Billion in 2017, and China is our largest trading partner in manufactured goods. Given the importance of the two-way trade relationship between the two countries, many U.S. companies have been deeply impacted by the numerous trade policy actions involving China over the past year. Join us for this webinar for the latest on the U.S.-China trade relationship, including ongoing trade negotiations. We will discuss the impact of China’s access to U.S. technology on the development of trade policy as well as related issues, such as counterintelligence trends, intellectual property protection, technology transfer, and more. We will also discuss 2-way tariff developments between the U.S. and China. Finally, we will address trends with China and foreign investment approvals under the Committee for Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) as well as trends with China and enhanced end user restrictions under the Export Control Reform Act and other related cases, such as Huawei. Our speaker will be Giovanna Cinelli Practice Lead, International Trade & National Security with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Date: Thursday, June 6, 2019
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Managing Export Operations and Compliance In today’s complex export environment, regulatory compliance and traditional operational issues are inextricably linked. Even simple logistical or reporting mistakes may have repercussions that can lead to noncompliance. Companies that don’t take a holistic and systematic approach to all of these issues will leave themselves open to fines, customs seizures, delays, and possible enforcement action. This webinar will provide an overview of the U.S. export regulatory environment, including essential steps for compliance with export controls and sanctions laws. The webinar will also discuss other steps in the export operational process, including AES reporting, global trade classification, free trade agreement compliance, shipping terms, export documentation, and more. This nuts-and-bolts program will provide you with the essentials for ensuring compliance and help you to cut through the confusion that can sometimes impede export operations. Bring your questions! Speakers include:
Date: Friday, July 19, 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.
