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 only accepted for the Massachusetts Export Center's events. Your spot is reserved once payment is received by the appropriate office. Training programs may be added or cancelled; the training schedule is subject to change.
Please note: Training confirmations are sent from centeric@clients.msbdc.org. If you can't log into your account to register for training, a verification code will be sent from this email address. We use this email frequently, so please add it to your approved sender list.
Please review our
cancellation and refund
policies.
 The Massachusetts Export Center organizes seminars, webinars
and events throughout the year under Partners for Trade—the
official export training initiative of the Commonwealth. The Export Center
also offers an opportunity to view archived webinars. For further
information, visit www.mass.gov/export.
On the calendar below, 
indicates an exporting training event. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
 The
Massachusetts Export Center created the
Massachusetts Export Resource Center, a comprehensive,
one-stop resource for accessing a wide range of instructional and practical
information on exporting to help your business grow and take advantage of
international opportunities. Click on the logo to view the website.
Registration is free! |
||||||
|
|
||||||
 Did you know that the U.S. Small Business Administration offers free online training through its Learning Center? Click on the SBA logo to view topics.
|
|  SCORE
conducts a variety of free and low-cost, educational workshops that provide
valuable information necessary for establishing and managing a successful
business.Greater Boston | Western MA | Central MA | Southeast MA | Cape Cod & the Islands | Northeast MA
|
Visit our community calendar for additional training
opportunities. |
|
|
|
Program Descriptions
|
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 |
|---|
|
Legal Clinics (offered monthly in Southeast Massachusetts)
We are pleased to announce that Christopher Cassara, Esq., partner at Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP (PSH), is continuing to hold free Legal Clinics in our office and at our outreach locations. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are eligible to meet one-time, one-on-one for 30 minutes, to discuss general legal questions such as corporate structure, leases, contracts, insurance, employment, franchising, and various other business related issues.
These free and confidential 30-minute sessions are offered once a month at various locations. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration opens online two weeks prior to each legal clinic's date. If you have questions, please call the MSBDC office at 508-673-9783.
As a courtesy to Attorney Cassara, who is volunteering
his time for the clinics, please call our office at 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:
|
|
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
|
|
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:
May 6 or June 3, 2021
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, Valley Community Development Corporation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Clark University and Salem State University. |
|
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. |
|
Business Fundamentals: Human Resources Part 1: Finding and Retaining Talented Employees
Presenter: Allison Ebner, Employers Association of the Northeast Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 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, Valley Community Development Corporation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Clark University and Salem State University. |
|
Getting Relief for Shuttered Venue Operators
The workshop will be presented by Rosa Di Virgilio Taormina, business advisor with the MSBDC Northeast Regional Office. Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2021
|
|
How to Open a Business in
Massachusetts Legally
The speaker will be Rich Cheney,
regional director of the MSBDC Central Regional Office. Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2021
|
|
Federal Government Contracting (Part 2) The Massachusetts Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is back again to drill down into the world of federal government contracting by discussing:
The workshop will be presented by Michelle Simoes, procurement specialist with the Massachusetts Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2021
|
|
Business Fundamentals: Human Resources Part 2: Employee Laws All Business Owners Must Know
Presenter: Allison Ebner, Employers Association of the Northeast Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 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, Valley Community Development Corporation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Clark University and Salem State University. |
|
Using a Risk-Based Approach to Build Your Export Compliance Program Any company that is serious about exporting needs a formal export compliance program in place. Export compliance programs demonstrate a company’s commitment to compliance and outline specific policies and procedures to ensure compliance, taking into account the company’s entire global organization, specific products and technologies, international business activities and more. Developing and managing a truly functional and adaptable export compliance program can be an overwhelming and challenging task for many businesses, however. This webinar will provide practical guidance on using a risk-based approach to building your export compliance program. Learn how to address your unique global trade compliance risks while simplifying implementation and maximizing team adoption of your program. The webinar will cover: elements of an export compliance program; risk assessment export compliance team building; integration of export compliance operations; and other critical elements for an effective export compliance program. The webinar will also touch upon assessing the effectiveness of export compliance, operations, auditing, and maintaining a dynamic compliance program that keeps pace with organizational and regulatory changes. Our speakers will be:
Date: Thursday, April 29, 2021
|
|
Aprender las maneras de promocionar su negocio eficazmente. Temas que seran discutidos:
Los oradores serán Awilda Irizarry, asesora comercial de la Oficina Regional Noreste de MSBDC y Lisa González Welch, especialista en desarrollo económico de la Administración de Pequeñas Empresas. Fecha: jueves 29 de abril de 2021
|
|
Starting a New Business: Step-by-Step Starting a business is a major undertaking if you want to do it right and maximize the likelihood of success. Join us for a fast-paced, dynamic webinar that will take you through the first four steps to starting a business!
Cliff Robbins, senior business advisor with MSBDC Southeast Regional Office, will present this free webinar to anyone is in the process of, or thinking about, starting their own business. Representatives from the New Bedford Economic Development Council will also provide information specific to New Bedford businesses. Date: Thursday, April 29, 2021
Cosponsored by the New Bedford Economic Development Council (NBEDC) |
|
What You Need to Know About the Paycheck Protection Program This workshop will cover Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans available as first and second draws. Specific areas discussed will be:
The workshop will be presented by Rosa Di Virgilio Taormina, business advisor with the MSBDC Northeast Regional Office. Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2021
|
|
Topics to be covered include:
Presenter: Katishia Gallishaw, KG Virtual CFO Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2021 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, Valley Community Development Corporation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Clark University and Salem State University. |
|
Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Business Fundamentals
Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Sponsored by SEED Corporation and BankFive and held in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration, One Southcoast Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center & SCORE |
|
Quickbooks Desktop for Beginners
These essential reports will help you run your business efficiently and stay in business. This webinar is limited to 20 people who must participate all three days. The presenter will be Nancy Burgess, president and owner of Burgess Consulting. Dates: May 4 - 6, 2021
|
|
Legal Requirements for Small Businesses A small business owner needs to know what their federal, state, and local obligations are. This course will give you an overview of the legal requirements that every small business owner should know. Topics will include:
The speaker will be Nancy Gerardi, regional director with the MSBDC Northeast Regional Office. Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2021
|
|
Coaching Tools for Business Success In this workshop you will learn how you can use the skill of coaching to sustainably grow your business and how to start a coaching business with your expertise, adding an additional revenue stream to your business. You will learn:
The speaker will be Clara Angelina DIaz-Anderson, bilingual certified master coach trainor, business advisor and founder of the ClaraFying Coaching Institute. Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2021
|
|
Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Understanding Business Financials
Date: Thursday, May 6, 2021
Sponsored by SEED Corporation and BankFive and held in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration, One Southcoast Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center & SCORE |
|
Biden on Trade: The First 100 Days and Beyond If there is one thing that U.S. businesses have learned in recent years, it is that the Executive Branch can wield extraordinary power to implement sweeping changes in trade policy. As we approach the 100-day mark of the Biden Administration, certain indicators, such as key trade appointments, development of a trade policy agenda and official statements are all helping us to better understand the outlook for international trade in the coming years. Join us for this webinar, which will discuss possible upcoming shifts in trade policy, as well as continued implementation of trade-related legislation and the outlook for reauthorization of Trade Promotion Authority later in 2021. Specifically, the webinar will assess the future of export controls, economic sanctions, free trade policy, tariff and Customs policy, regulatory enforcement and more. The webinar will also address issues such ongoing trade negotiations with China, the ebb and flow of the U.S. relationship with our key global trade allies, and the outlook for the U.S. to re-enter the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the possible impact on sanctions. Join us to hear from trade policy experts who will provide practical guidance on preparing global business operations for the future. Speakers include:
Date: Friday, May 7, 2021
|
|
Debt Relief Options for COVID-19 Impacted Businesses This workshop will provide a general overview of debt relief options currently available for businesses negatively affected by COVID-19. Specific areas to be discussed include:
The presenter will be Rosa Di Virgilio Taormina, MSBDC business advisor with the MSBDC Northeast Regional Office. Date: Tuesday, May 11, 2021
|
|
Business Fundamentals: Conflict Resolution in the Workplace
In this interactive workshop, we will provide you with tools to stay cool when the workplace heats up. In this webinar, you will learn how, when thoughtfully approached, even the most challenging situations can be an opportunity for career growth and self-empowerment. Presenter: Dawn LaRochelle, Center for Women and Enterprise Date: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 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, Valley Community Development Corporation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Clark University and Salem State University. |
|
Federal Marketing and Networking This webinar will focus on marketing and networking to prime contractors and government agencies, including capability statements and matchmaker events. The workshop will be presented by Michelle Simoes, procurement specialist with the Massachusetts Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Date: Tuesday, May 11, 2021
|
|
Global Trade Shipping Update: Trends in Inbound, Outbound and Global Air & Ocean Cargo We are a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and delays continue to plague companies engaged in global trade, resulting in crippling congestion at ports worldwide. The pandemic has created a shortage of workers and a glut of inbound cargo caused by increased consumer demand. Further, fallout from the recent blockage of the Suez Canal is expected to cause further global shipping delays in the weeks and months ahead. These supply chain disruptions have caused frustration and have been costly as businesses are waiting longer for supplies and paying higher prices for workarounds to receive and deliver their goods. And the impacts of inbound delays have trickled down, resulting in reduced capacity and increased delays on outbound cargo as well. Join us to hear from industry experts who will provide an update on global shipping, discussing the trends in inbound, outbound and global air & ocean cargo, as well as mitigation tips for managing delays and supply chain disruption. Speakers include:
Date: Thursday, May 13, 2021
|
|
Getting Relief for Shuttered Venue Operators
The workshop will be presented by Rosa Di Virgilio Taormina, business advisor with the MSBDC Northeast Regional Office. Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2021Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. EST Location: Online Cost: No charge Contact: Kaitlin Muldoon at kmuldoon@salemstate.edu |
|
Starting a Business: What You Need to Know This webinar will discuss all the aspects of starting a business. Topics to be discussed include:
The speaker will be Walter Manninen, senior business advisor and financial specialist with the MSBDC Northeast Regional Office. Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2021
|
|
Como Empezar Y Crecer Su Negocio ¿Inspirado, 'suprimido de su trabajo' o listo a arrancar su propio negocio? Evalúe su potencial emprendedor mientras adquiere un resumen general de mercadeo y aspectos de las finanzas operaciones involucradas en iniciar un negocio. Fecha: jueves 20 de mayo de 2021
|
|
Trends in U.S. Export Controls for the Electronics and Semiconductor Sector in Greater China The past several years have witnessed steadily tightening U.S. export controls for the electronics and semiconductor sector, particularly as they relate to U.S. firms doing business in and with China. Increased use of the Entity List to sanction leading Chinese companies such as ZTE and Huawei, and major changes to the Foreign Produced Direct Product Rule to choke off supply of foreign-produced products and technology destined for Huawei, are just a couple of examples of these tightening controls. And the changes keep coming in 2021, with the addition of more major Chinese players, such as SMIC and Xiaomi, and several smaller industry players, to restricted party lists. This webinar will provide insight into the U.S. export regulatory landscape for electronics and semiconductor firms doing business in and with China. The webinar will provide the latest on sanctioned parties, trends on regulatory tools used to impose sanctions, the impact of changes to the Foreign Produced Direct Product Rule, licensing trends and requirements for Huawei and other sanctioned parties, military end use restrictions, due diligence best practices for companies operating in the sector, and more. Join us to gain insight on compliance risk mitigation strategies for doing business in this complex, high-stakes and dynamic environment. Our speaker will be:
Date: Friday, June 11, 2021
|
|
Your Business Plan - Soup to Nuts This webinar will discuss how to prepare your business plan from start to finish. Topics to be discussed will include: Entrepreneurship and Planning and Business Plan Overview including narrative, financial, and supporting documents. There will also be a discussion on some of the Do's and Don't's. The speaker will be Walter Manninen, senior business advisor and financial specialist with the MSBDC Northeast Regional Office. Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2021
|
|
Your Path to Growth in Life Sciences: Leveraging Resources & Avoiding Pitfalls
Join us to learn about resources for growing your business while mitigating costly risk. Learn about determining financial viability, obtaining financing, and grant opportunities. Additional topics include controls on foreign access to U.S. technology with regard to hiring and investment, and diversifying into foreign markets. An introduction will be provided by Alexander Margulis, COO of the Mansfield Bio-Incubator. Speakers include:
Date: Thursday, June 17, 2021
Cosponsored by the Mansfield Bio-Incubator |
|
Plan de negocios: de la A a la Z El taller estará a cargo de la señora Awilda Irizarry, y se convoca a participar a quienes tengan una idea de negocio y estén actualmente manejando una empresa. El objetivo es brindar las herramientas básicas para definir cada una de las etapas a desarrollar para un plan de negocio. Se trabajará en la identificación de la idea de negocio, el análisis de factibilidad, mercadeo, operaciones, el estudio de factibilidad y el análisis económico financiero con énfasis en como calificar para un préstamo. Fecha: jueves 17 de junio de 2021
|
All
services are provided by PSH which is not acting as an agent and/or
representative of the Massachusetts Small Business Development
Center Network. By meeting with PSH you agree to indemnify and hold
harmless the MSBDC from any and all claims and liability arising
from your session with PSH. Participants will receive a general
waiver statement prior to their meeting. 
Learn about current grants, loans, and other resources in Western
Massachusetts for small businesses. Join in a live Q&A to get your individual
questions answered. There will also be a local business advisor to
schedule you for no-charge business counseling services, to help you
with marketing your business, understanding your financials and
applying for loans or grants available to businesses economically
impacted by the pandemic. The forum will be moderated by Jessi
Kirley, a small business advisor with the Massachusetts Small Business
Development Center, Western Regional Office. 
Topics
to be covered include:
This basics webinar
is offered monthly and includes topics such as: 
As
a business owner, you need to understand the financial information
of your business at all times. This three-day QuickBooks webinar
will take you through the basics of: 