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. Credit cards are accepted 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. We use this email frequently, so
please add it to your approved sender list. A verification code will be sent from this
email address allowing your to register for training. If you have
problems signing in, do not create a new account with a
different email in order to register. For help registering, send an
email to the contact in the seminar description. 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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Program Descriptions
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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. A Zoom link for the webinar will be emailed to you after registration.
Dates & Times: Monthly Mondays (1:00 - 3:30
p.m.) and Thursdays (9:00 a.m. - 12 noon) - click on your date selection 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 of the month. You can choose a date on the registration form. Dates: Monthly on Thursdays: TBA
Brought to you by the Western Massachusetts Means Business (WMMB) and stakeholders: Center for Women and Enterprise, Common Capital, Franklin County Community Development Corporation, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network, SCORE of Western Mass, and Valley Community Development Corporation. |
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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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How to Open a Business in Massachusetts Legally A basic webinar covering topics such as:
The speaker will be Richard Cheney, regional director with the MSBDC Central Regional Office at Clark University. Date: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 |
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Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Business Fundamentals
Date: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 Sponsored by SEED Corporation and Cape Cod 5, in cooperation with the MA Small Business Development Center (MSBDC), U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE |
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Accounting 101 - Understanding Current Financial Reports This interactive online training is for entrepreneurs who want to brush up on the basics of financial statements in business. We will discuss the key elements of a balance Sheet, cash flow statement, income statement, and a profit and loss statement and, how they interrelate. Tom Herald, Senior Business Advisor at the SBDC at Clark University, will present. Date: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 |
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Join us to gain an understanding of how to prepare for a successful experience at a small business government procurement matchmaker and "wow" the buyers you will virtually meet! Learn tips and strategies to assist in preparing for this unique marketing outreach event. Whether you attend an in-person or virtual event, you need to show that you are ready for government business either directly or as a subcontractor. The webinar will briefly cover:
The speaker will be Sandra Ledbetter, government sales advisor with the MSBDC Government Sales Advisory Program. Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2021
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OSHA Requirements – How to keep your staff and customers safe from COVID-19 and the Delta variant This webinar will focus on the processes that make up critical business operations that need to be changed and modified during a pandemic. Participants will engage in many styles of thinking to include creative, analytical, abstract, and critical as we discuss the OSHA regulations, CDC recommendations, your business policy/procedures and daily operation. Darcy Cook, Director of Emergency Management, Safety Trainers, will present strategies and give resources to help you abate the impact from the pandemic. Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2021 |
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Time's Running Out: Why Your Business Needs This Loan NOW! You don't want your business to miss out on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Applications are due by December 31, but funds are expected to run out well before that time. This webinar will discuss why the EIDL is the best small loan currently available, its generous terms, and application tips. The webinar will be presented by Rosa Taormina, Business Advisor with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, Northeast Regional Office. Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2021 |
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Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Understanding Business Financials
Date: Thursday, September 30, 2021Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST Location: Online Cost: Free Contact: Jessica Mello, SEED Corporation at jmello@seedcorp.com Sponsored by SEED Corporation and Cape Cod 5, in cooperation with the MA Small Business Development Center (MSBDC), U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE |
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2021 Major Changes to the Export Administration Regulations A few major changes to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) took place in 2021. As of March 29, the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has implemented significant modifications to EAR that relax requirements on the classification and reporting of mass-market encryption items and on email notifications previously required for publicly-available encryption source code and beta test software. The new rule also implements revisions that impact 22 dual-use technologies found on the Commerce Control List, generally narrowing the scope of the controls or providing clarification on the existing entries. Also in March, BIS introduced a new Military Intelligence End User (MIEU) Rule, which prohibits unauthorized exports and related support activities for MIEUs in certain countries, regardless of export control classification. Join us for this webinar that will review these and other changes, including the impact on reporting and licensing requirements, even in cases where an export does not take place. The webinar will also provide guidance on compliance and due diligence in this complex environment. Our speaker will be Melissa Mannino, Partner with BakerHostetler. Date: Thursday, September 30, 2021
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Developing a Dynamic Capability Statement Now that we are "opening doors" and preparing for in-person events again, it is time to create your capability statement (CS) or update the one that you've been using. Please join us for this instructional webinar to learn tips for developing a robust CS to assist in marketing your products and services to large business prime contractors and federal agencies. A CS is an inexpensive, but targeted marketing piece used to quickly highlight your strengths and capabilities at small business B2G, matchmakers, and other outreach events or to email to potential customers. The speaker will be Sandra Ledbetter, government sales advisor with the MSBDC Government Sales Advisory Program. Date: Tuesday, October 5, 2021
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As an exporter, you want to make your export transaction as risk-free as possible. From a payment perspective, this means cash in advance, placing all risk on your buyer. But what if your buyer isn’t able to pay in advance? Will you turn away orders from these customers? What about customers in countries with political or economic insecurities? Would you turn down a large sale because you were concerned about exchange rate fluctuations or foreign government policy changes? With 96% of the world’s consumers located outside of the United States, you can’t afford to place unnecessary restrictions on your company’s global growth potential! There are tools to help. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about growing your business and maintaining a competitive edge by offering terms that work for you and your foreign buyers. Additionally, you will learn about managing credit risk and currency volatility in the current global economic climate. Join us to hear from international finance experts who will discuss methods of international payment and tools to mitigate credit and foreign exchange risk, including letters of credit, documentary collections and other trade finance solutions. Speakers include:
Date: Friday, October 8, 2021
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USPTO Resources for Inventors,
Innovators and Entrepreneurs The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a wealth of resources for individuals interested in learning more about protecting their intellectual property and who need assistance doing so. Learn about these various resources, many of which are free, and put them to work for you as you begin or continue down your path of innovation. The session will also include a focus on the USPTO’s COVID-19 relief and assistance efforts. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers at the end of the session. The speaker will be Tomeka Oubichom, Eastern Regional Office Outreach Officer — U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2021Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. EST Location: Online Cost: No charge Contact: Anjie at USPTO at Annjeanetta.Jackson-Amador@uspto.gov |
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Intellectual Property 101 Unfamiliar with patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets? Learn about intellectual property (IP) basics and potential ways to protect your innovations as you transition from idea to product. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers at the end of the session. This session will cover the following topics. * What is the USPTO? * Overview of intellectual property types: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets * Why innovators and entrepreneurs should consider protecting their IP * How to get started in protecting your intellectual property The speaker will be Elizabeth Dougherty, Eastern Regional Outreach Director — U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Duration: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. EST Location: Online Cost: No charge Contact: Anjie at USPTO at Annjeanetta.Jackson-Amador@uspto.gov |
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Compliance with federal export controls is a challenging obligation for most U.S. exporters, with complex regulations administered by a variety of government agencies, each with their own rules for compliance. The regulations themselves are only part of the puzzle, however. The ability to read and navigate the regulatory environment can be key to staying ahead of the curve on changes and implementing effective practices that can keep pace. Join us to hear the latest on the export regulatory environment, including trends, areas of caution, and tips for compliance. We will discuss current compliance topics and factors influencing the export regulatory environment, including: the pending Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement (EAGLE) Act and its anticipated influence on export control policy; implications of Biden Administration appointments for key export control posts; restricted party trends; export licensing policy and more, with a focus on top issues facing U.S. exporters on a day-to-day basis. Our speaker will be Douglas Jacobson, Founding Partner with Jacobson Burton Kelley PLLC. Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2021
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Global Business Development in a Pandemic Developing and executing a successful international business development strategy has never been easy, but the global pandemic has challenged us in ways that we never thought possible. Throughout the pandemic, many exporters have had to completely reimagine their global business development efforts, often shifting to digital marketing channels and making due with Zoom instead of traveling to maintain relationships with global partners. And, just as international travel and traditional global business development venues have begun to re-open, they can and will shut down on a dime due to pandemic surges. Join us to learn about the fundamentals of export market assessment, global strategy development, and sales channel management, with an emphasis on how the pandemic has impacted global business development activities. Our expert speakers will provide you with tips for keeping your international business development efforts both nimble and relevant, with an eye towards global marketing in a post-pandemic world. Our speakers will be:
Date: Thursday, October 28, 2021
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Tariff Management: How to Manage Costs in the Current International Trade Climate With recent, dramatic escalations in U.S. and global tariffs, as well as other trade restrictions, it has become increasingly important to manage costs while keeping up with the latest regulatory and policy changes. Tariff management involves a systematic approach to taking advantage of all opportunities provided by Customs laws and regulations to reduce your total duty burden while remaining compliant with such laws and regulations. An effective tariff management program allows your company to profit by reducing costs of doing business in a fiercely competitive global economy. This webinar, which will focus on tariff management, is targeted at importers and exporters that are looking to reduce or defer tariffs through mechanisms such as duty drawback, tariff engineering, country of origin optimization, valuation strategy, and the use of bonded warehouses and foreign trade zones. Our speaker will be Matthew Bock, Managing Partner with Middleton, Shrull & Bock LLC. Date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021
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Patent Searching: How to Develop a Robust Prior Art Search Knowing what inventions have been granted or proposed in your particular technology area is essential as you progress developing your inventive idea and completing your patent application. This webinar will provide suggestions as to how to approach and plan your search strategy. There will be time at the end for questions and answers. The speaker will be Cynthia Sdrewski, Senior Information Technology Resource Provider with ASRC Federal. Date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. EST Location: Online Cost: No charge Contact: Anjie at USPTO at Annjeanetta.Jackson-Amador@uspto.gov |
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Understanding and Interacting with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) conducts trials, including inter partes, post-grant, and covered business method patent reviews and derivation proceedings, hears appeals from adverse examiner decisions in patent applications and reexamination proceedings, and renders decisions in interferences. There will be time at the end for questions and answers. The speaker will be Janet Gongola, Vice Chief Judge for Engagement at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2021
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Managing Cross-Border Risks and Costs Exporting to Canada While Canada is our nation’s largest export market, it is also a surprisingly challenging market when it comes to customs clearance, cost containment and taxes. Moreover, the U.S. Canada Mexico (USMCA) trade agreement and recent updates to Canadian tax laws have created even more change, and, in some cases, increased costs, for U.S. exporters. This webinar will review the USMCA and related issues for U.S. exporters, including rules of origin, documentary requirements, and related developments, such as new de minimis thresholds. The webinar will also discuss related issues, such as Canada’s Customs clearance process and non-resident importer program. The webinar will also discuss related tax issues, including updated Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection rules and withholding tax for services performed in Canada. Our expert speakers will provide you with guidelines for compliance while managing costs and risks. Our speakers will be:
Date: Friday, November 19, 2021
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Best Practices for Using the Consolidated Screening List Screening is undoubtedly the biggest universal compliance challenge for exporters, regardless of what is being exported or where it is being exported to. Many companies find it worthwhile to invest in a screening automation solution. The majority of exporters, however, do not have the volume of shipments to justify the expense of a compliance automation system. The Consolidated Screening List (CSL) consolidates several screening lists published by federal regulatory authorities, including the Departments of Commerce, State and Treasury. And while the CSL lacks the speed and automation of many screening subscription services, it is a perfectly acceptable, convenient and free solution for many exporters. Lack of automation means a higher risk for human error, however, and companies using the CSL must carefully implement procedures for compliance. This webinar will review steps for managing export screening using the Consolidated Screening List. The webinar will discuss screening risk assessment, development of screening protocols, and the elements of the CSL, including guidelines for compliance and implications for licensing. The webinar will also walk through the CSL itself and provide tips for search procedures and recordkeeping. Join us to learn how to use the CSL confidently and effectively! Speakers include:
Date: Thursday, December 9, 2021
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Join us for the Export Expo – the state’s largest and most important export event of the year that brings together resources, training and information for the local exporting community! 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 operations. This year’s Export Expo will again be a virtual event that will include an exhibit area featuring government, non-profit and private sector service providers serving the export community. The Export Expo will also feature a lineup of workshops, panel discussions and special addresses on a wide variety of export-related topics. The Export Expo will feature influential guest speakers and opportunities to connect with experts to answer your specific export questions. We hope that you will join us for the same timely and important international trade content in a convenient and safe virtual format! Our virtual platform will provide opportunities for networking and allow participants to view all of the conference’s content, so you won’t miss a thing! Speakers and content to be announced soon. Date: Thursday and Friday, January 27 and 28,
2022
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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 moderated by Jessi
Kirley, a small business advisor with the Massachusetts Small Business
Development Center, Western Regional Office. 
Join us for a free, virtual entrepreneurial workshop in which
participants will learn the fundamentals of planning, preparing for
and financing a small business. 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.