Massachusetts SBDC Statewide Training & Event Calendar
Preregistration is required for all events. If no link is listed on the registration page, online registration is not available or registration is closed. Please read important training and registration information by clicking here.
 The Massachusetts Export Center organizes seminars, webinars and events throughout the year under Partners for Trade—the official export training initiative of the Commonwealth. On the calendar below, 
indicates an exporting training event. |
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~~~ 2026 Training Calendar |
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Unless otherwise
noted, training is offered online.
= export training |
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| MARCH | |
| 10 | Intellectual Property Fundamentals: Trademark, Copyright, and Trade Secret |
| 11 | Entrepreneurship for Healthcare Practitioners 102 |
| 11 | Tech Talks with Rob - Deep Dive: When Your Office Is Your Living Room |
| 17 | Massachusetts Wage Act (available online and in-person in Springfield) |
| 18 | Developing an Effective Government Focused Capability Statement |
| 19 | How to Write a Business Plan Using AI and LivePlan (Salem) |
| 25 | Entrepreneurship for Healthcare Practitioners 103 |
| 25 | Conversations That Matter: Know Your Market: Using Berkshire Benchmarks to Grow Your Berkshire County Business |
| 26 | Building a Strategic Plan that Works |
| 26 | Are You Bankable? |
| 31 | Boston Manufacturing Pitch and Resource Showcase (Newton) |
| APRIL | |
| 21 | How to Prepare for a Business to Government or Business to Corporate Matchmaker |
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Program Descriptions
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Various topics that we will cover:
Whether you are tech-savvy or just getting started, "Tech Talks with Rob" will provide you with the knowledge and tools to leverage technology for your business’s success. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn, grow, and secure your business in the digital marketplace. During each session, Rob will present a brief 15–20-minute introduction to the topic at hand, followed by an interactive discussion and Q&A period. This series aims to create a welcoming environment where participants are encouraged to ask questions. Remember, there are no bad questions. Date: Typically held on the first Wednesday of the month
- click on date below to register
Thursday, March 5 Topic - Emails, Domains and Your Brand Is your email still "yourcompany@gmail.com?" You're not alone—but you could be losing customers because of it. Join us for "Emails, Domains and Your Brand"—a game-changing Tech Talk that shows you how to build trust, protect your business, and look professional from day one. |
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Your small business is "bankable" if a commercial bank or lending institution is willing to offer you financing, such as a loan or line of credit. Small business owners often seek financing to buy equipment or inventory, launch a new product line, open or expand retail or manufacturing operations, further grow an existing business and more. Contrary to popular belief, banks are eager to lend to small businesses. However, in order to be bankable, you need to understand your business' numbers, how to organize them for a commercial loan, and how to present your personal and business story in a compelling manner. This workshop will be led by Karen Baldeschwieler, small business consultant with Zenagos. We may be joined by additional guest speakers. Learn how to:
Date: See dates below
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Intellectual Property Fundamentals: Trademark, Copyright, and Trade Secret Many business owners don’t realize how much intellectual property they own and have created! Let's identify your "Secret Sauce" and lock the kitchen door. Your brand name, customer list, business strategies, products, services, and unique processes are your most valuable assets. We explain how to prioritize your IP spend: when to file for a federal trademark, how copyright protects your work and products, and, most importantly, how to use Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and licenses to protect your trade secrets and intellectual property. Speakers:
Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Cosponsored by Embedded Counsel, PLLC |
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Tech Talks with Rob - Deep Dive: When Your Office Is Your Living Room Running your business from home? You are not alone—but are you truly secure? Join us for a practical, no-nonsense session designed specifically for small business owners in Western Massachusetts. We will show you simple, affordable ways to keep your business safe when your office and home share the same space. Learn how to create clear boundaries between your personal and professional life—so a problem in one doesn't spill over into the other. We will cover the basics of protecting your internet connection and keeping your business information private, even when family members are streaming movies or kids are doing homework on the same network. You will discover which everyday devices in your home—from smart speakers to security cameras—could be putting your business at risk, and what you can do about it. We will also share straightforward strategies to keep customer information, financial records, and sensitive business data secure without needing a computer science degree. This webinar is for you if:
Walk away from this webinar with a clear action plan you can implement right away—no expensive consultants required. This webinar is part of the Tech Talks with Rob series and offers a deeper dive into home security for your business. Speakers include:
Date: Wednesday, March 11,
2026
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Massachusetts Wage Act presented by the Law Firm of Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center and Common Capital are pleased to invite you to attend a presentation about the Massachusetts Wage Act. The Massachusetts Wage Act, along with various other state laws, imposes numerous requirements on employers regarding employee compensation. Violating these regulations can be extremely costly. When employees file complaints with the Attorney General, it can trigger extensive, intrusive investigations that may result in civil citations or enforcement actions against the employer. Additionally, employers may face lawsuits in court, which can sometimes affect an entire class of employees. In most cases, employees who are owed unpaid wages can recover three times the amount owed, along with their attorneys' fees and related costs. The speaker will be Erica Flores, an employment attorney with Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. Attorney Flores will walk participants through many of the legal requirements, including:
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2025
Cosponsored by Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. and Common Capital |
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Developing an Effective Government Focused Capability Statement
We will walk through how to craft a capability statement specifically tailored to federal buyers and prime contractors - what to include, what to avoid, and how to present your strengths in a way that aligns with government expectations. You will see real-life examples and learn tips, tricks, and best practices to help you build a clear, concise, and compelling CS that may help you build key relationships and land opportunities to bid. Don't miss this opportunity to develop a dynamic capability statement that supports your future success in the government marketplace. The speaker will be Sandra Ledbetter, government sales advisor with the Massachusetts SBDC. Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026Time: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. ET Location: Online Cost: No charge Contact: CWE at info.regional@cweonline.org
Cosponsored by the Center for Women & Enterprise |
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How to Write a Business Plan Using AI and LivePlan Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop designed to help you craft a winning business plan. Whether launching a new venture or refining your existing strategy, this workshop will empower you with the tools and insights to bring your vision to life. This training will be led by Nancy Gerardi, Esq., regional director of the Massachusetts SBDC Northeast Region. You will benefit from Nancy's extensive experience and expertise in small business development and strategic planning. Her proven guidance has helped countless entrepreneurs achieve their goals, and now it’s your turn to leverage her knowledge to create a comprehensive and effective business plan. The speaker will be Justin Henderson of LivePlan, who will be video conferenced in to walk you through the LivePlan platform. Jugmi Rao, vice president of TD Bank, will be available to answer any banking questions. In this session, you will learn how to:
Be sure to bring your laptop as you will be writing your business plan during the session! This event is proudly sponsored by TD Bank, covering the cost for the first 25 attendees—a value-packed opportunity at no cost to you! Space is limited to just 25 participants, so don’t wait—secure your spot today and take the first step toward business success. Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Cosponsored by TD Bank |
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Entrepreneurship for Healthcare Practitioners Join us for an online training series designed for healthcare professionals who are exploring the transition from clinician to business owner. During this three-part series, you will gain a practical understanding and foundation of what it means to be an entrepreneur and the steps necessary to start a business in Massachusetts. Who should attend:
What you will learn:
Session 101 is designed to provide new business owners with an overview of the information and tools needed to evaluate and develop a new business. We will cover the basics of entrepreneurship, business plan creation, and will offer a Q&A session. Session 102 is designed to help business owners understand the importance of tracking and interpreting their financial numbers to provide a clear picture of their business’s financial health. Participants will learn why monitoring financial data is essential for decision-making and growth, what stories these numbers talk about business performance, and how to interpret the three main financial statements: Profit and Loss Statement, Cash Flow Statement, and Balance Sheet. Session 103 will provide an overview of the next steps in starting your business, including feasibility studies, marketing plans, customer acquisition, and networking strategies. This is a three-part series for healthcare entrepreneurs. Please register for each session separately by clicking on the links below. Dates: Wednesdays, February 25, March 11 & March
25
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Please join our discussion with Laura Brennan, Assistant Director of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, focused on how small business owners in Berkshire County can leverage data from Berkshire Benchmarks to make more informed strategic decisions. The conversation highlights how Berkshire Benchmarks provides reliable, locally focused data on population trends, workforce demographics, income levels, housing, and economic indicators that can help entrepreneurs better understand their target markets, hiring environment, and long-term growth opportunities. The emphasis on using credible regional data strengthens business plans, supports loan applications, and helps owners align their services with evolving community needs across the county. This event is hosted by Tim Kiely, a senior business advisor with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center - Berkshire Region. Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Cosponsored by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission |
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Building a Strategic Plan that Works This webinar will guide business owners through the strategic planning tools needed to move from stability to sustainable growth. Participants will explore the concept of the “$XM ceiling” and how strategic planning helps businesses break through common revenue and operational plateaus. The session will also highlight AI-powered resilience, demonstrating how emerging tools can strengthen decision-making, efficiency, and adaptability in an uncertain business environment. Finally, we will examine what it takes to scale from Massachusetts to global markets, helping businesses think beyond local growth and plan for long-term expansion. Attendees will leave with practical insights and a clearer roadmap for growing their business with intention and strategy. The speaker will be Raquel Araujo, founder and CEO of Levare.ai. Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
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Boston Manufacturing Pitch and Resource Showcase Are you a small manufacturing business owner, startup founder, resource provider, or Boston-area business dedicated to manufacturing in the Greater Boston area? Join us for a dynamic Pitch Event and Resource Showcase designed to connect start-ups and existing small manufacturers with the capital, expertise, and resources they need to start, grow, and scale, including:
Who Should Attend?
Why Attend?
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
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How to Prepare for a Business to Government or Business to Corporate Matchmaker
This workshop will cover:
The speaker will be Sandra Ledbetter, government sales advisor with the Massachusetts SBDC, who will provide the Matchmaker Preparation presentation. Samantha Carr will provide an overview of CWE services and Lisa Gonzalez Welch will provide an overview of SBA services. Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Cosponsored by the Center for Women & Enterprise and the U.S. Small Business Administration |
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Massachusetts SBDC training events are supported by federal taxpayer funds. By registering, you certify that you are legally authorized to receive services funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations. 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 events may be added or cancelled; the training schedule is subject to change. Training confirmations are sent from centeric@clients.msbdc.org. We use this email address 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, please 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. |
Join
us for an informative webinar designed to help you create a targeted
capability statement (CS) that gets the attention of federal
agencies and prime contractors (large businesses with negotiated
subcontracting goals) and positions your business to be noticed.
Whether you are new to the government marketplace or looking to
sharpen your outreach materials, this session will give you the
tools you need to stand out. 
This
webinar will help you prepare for participation in a matchmaker by
providing tips on how to present your products & services. The goal
is for you to have a positive and productive marketing and
networking experience at a B2G (business to government) or B2C
(business to corporation) matchmaker.