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.
Program Descriptions
|
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! Dates: Wednesday,
May 30, 2018 |
Wednesday,
June 13, 2018 |
|---|
|
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 |
|
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 below Register online by clicking on the desired date below:
|
|
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 or Anita Eliason, senior business advisors 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.
|
|
Legal Clinic for Small Business
Participants will receive a general waiver statement prior to the meeting and are eligible to attend a 30-minute legal clinic only once. If you have already taken advantage of this opportunity, please do not register again. Appointments are in 30-minute timeslots with the first appointment starting at 12:30 p.m. Appointments are required and subject to availability. As a courtesy to the attorneys, if you cannot attend your appointment, please contact our office at least 24 hours in advance. To register for a session, please click on a date below and
complete the registration form. If you have
questions or problems registering online, please contact Lynn Shedd at
lshedd@msbdc.umass.edu
or 413-577-1768.
Cosponsored by SCORE and SPARK |
|
Brown Bag Lunch & Learn: Do I need an Employee Handbook? While employers are not required to have an employee handbook, they are required to communicate certain information to their employees. In this brown bag lunchtime workshop, we’ll explore the pros and cons of employee handbooks, the information that must be shared with all employees, and strategies for making sure your business is in compliance with regulatory employment requirements. This will be an interactive workshop and participants will have an opportunity to get answers to their questions about employee handbooks. Presented by Deana Prest, a Human Resources consultant. A seasoned human resources professional, Deana has over 25 years of management experience in a wide variety of workplace settings. Since 1986, Deana has been an expert HR consultant to businesses and non-profits of 20 to 600 employees. Date: Friday, June 1, 2018
|
|
Why is cash flow so important? Understanding and managing cash flow is essential to position your company for success, and for access to debt and equity financing. The speaker will be Bruce Share, managing director and Cash Flow Solutionist™ at Share Business Growth Strategies LLC. Date: Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University |
|
Success for Small Business (SSB) Accelerated Program Part 1
Join Tricia White for an accelerated program delivered over two evenings where we will cover the following required SSB courses. Part 1 consists of Planning for a Healthy Business, Personal Credit & Banking Services, and Intro to Marketing. Date: Monday, June 11, 2018
Cosponsored by HarborOne U at HarborOne Bank |
|
Optimizing Video on Social Media Platforms It is no secret that video and social media are a powerful combination. The average person currently watches a minimum of one hour of video on social media every week. In order to be successful in reaching as many people as possible, you will want to ensure your video content is tailored to each social media platform. This workshop will discuss how to leverage and optimize video on a variety of social platforms to help maximize your views and market your brand The speaker will be Brian Gravel, vice president of Creative Technology. Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University |
|
Export Regulatory Compliance Update
Between evolving regulatory policy, stepped-up enforcement efforts, escalating screening obligations, and the newly-proposed Export Control Reform Act of 2018, the export regulatory compliance environment is now more complex than ever. Companies that don’t take a proactive and preemptive approach to export compliance will fall behind the curve on regulatory changes, leaving themselves open to noncompliance and possible enforcement action. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear the latest on export compliance issues and trends from leading local and national export compliance practitioners and experts! This program is expected to sell out and space is limited, so early registration is advised. Further details on topics and speakers to be announced shortly. Date: Thursday, June 14, 2018
|
|
Date: Thursday, June 14, 2018 Sponsored by SEED Corporation and Rockland Trust Company; Held in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC), and SCORE |
|
SEED Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Session II: Understanding and Preparing Financial Statements
Date: Thursday, June 14, 2018 Sponsored by SEED Corporation and Rockland Trust Company; Held in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC), and SCORE |
|
Presented by Sarah Willey, attorney with Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas, LLP. Date: Monday, June 18, 2018
|
|
Success for Small Business (SSB) Accelerated Program Part 2
Join Tricia White for an accelerated program delivered over two evenings where we will cover the following required SSB courses. Part 2 consists of Marketing Your Brand, Budgeting & Financial Basics and Managing Cash Flow. Space is limited and online registration is required. Date: Monday, June 18, 2018
Cosponsored by HarborOneU at HarborOne Bank |
|
QuickBooks for Your Desktop Continued...
In this more advanced session, the following topics will be covered: Customizing Forms; Memorizing Transitions; Tracking and Paying Sales Tax; Reports; Online Banking; and Payroll. Additional topics will be discussed as time allows. This workshop is geared to someone who has attended the introduction session or someone who has been working with QuickBooks for Your Desktop for a short time. Space is limited and online registration is required. Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Cosponsored by the New Bedford Economic Development Council, Bristol Community College, and AMH Business Services |
|
International Letters of Credit
This webinar will provide an overview of the international letter of credit process, including the different types and uses of letters of credit, along with tips for structuring sales quotes and instructions to ensure accurate letter of credit documentation and smooth processing. The program will also discuss common letter of credit discrepancies, including “built-in” discrepancies and other red flags that can lead to discrepancies. Our speaker will be Leanne Spees, Senior Vice President, International Finance with The Provident Bank. Date: Thursday, June 28, 2018
|
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.
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center's Western
Regional Office is pleased to announce that we are once again
offering free legal clinics for small business owners. Entrepreneurs
and small business owners can meet one-on-one for 30 minutes with an
attorney to discuss general legal questions such as corporate
structure, leases, contracts, insurance, employment, franchising,
and various other business related issues. 
This
presentation will help you gain a better understanding of the core
legal concepts impacting your business. Topics include:
