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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| JUNE | |
| 10 | AI for Small Business: Getting Found Online — Google & AI Search (Greenfield) |
| 17 | Small Business Open House (Springfield) |
| 23 | Bookkeeping Decoded: A Friendly Guide for Small Business Owners |
| 24 | Small Business Open House (Pittsfield) |
| 24 | Are You Bankable? |
| JULY | |
| 10 | BIS Affiliates Rule Roundtable: Compliance Challenges and Practical Solutions |
| 30 | Compliance Clinic |
| AUGUST | |
| 13 | Small Business Open House (Newton) |
| SEPTEMBER | |
| 17 | Small Business Open House (Fall River) |
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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 (TBA) |
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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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AI for Small Business: Getting Found Online — Google & AI Search
The way customers find businesses has changed. They're not just searching Google anymore — they're asking AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini for recommendations. Is your business showing up? In this practical, no-jargon workshop hosted by the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center and Greenfield Cooperative Bank, you will discover exactly where your business stands in today's search landscape and walk away with a clear, actionable plan to improve your visibility — starting the same day. Who Should Attend - This workshop is built for you if...
The speaker will be Rob DelMastro, regional director of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center - Berkshire and Western Regions. Rob advises small business owners across Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Berkshire counties. With 35 years of hands-on IT and technology experience, 20 years in cybersecurity, and 20 years advising small businesses, Rob brings a uniquely practical perspective to the intersection of technology and business growth. Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
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Bookkeeping Decoded: A Friendly Guide for Small Business Owners Bookkeeping has a reputation problem. It sounds complicated, feels intimidating, and most small business owners would rather do almost anything else. But the truth is simpler, and a lot more empowering, than it seems. Clean books are the difference between guessing and growing. In this approachable, straight-forward session, we will pull back the curtain on what bookkeeping really is, why it matters for every small business, and what it can do for yours when it's done right. You will walk away with a clearer understanding of:
Whether you are just starting out or you have been running your business on gut instinct, this session will leave you with the clarity to make better decisions, stop dreading tax time, and finally feel in control of your numbers. The speaker will be Sara Vautour, CPA and founder of Vautour Group LLC, a bookkeeping, accounting, and tax practice built around small businesses. Sara helps owners take the mystery out of their finances and build clarity into the way they run their business every day. Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
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BIS Affiliates Rule Roundtable: Compliance Challenges and Practical Solutions Are you ready for the BIS Affiliates Rule? With the rule’s scheduled return in November 2026 quickly approaching, companies are actively working to put procedures into place to meet the heightened "Know Your Customer" requirements, but uncertainty remains about identifying and screening ownership structures and the extent of due diligence required to achieve compliance. Modeled after OFAC’s 50% Rule, BIS’ Affiliates Rule substantially expands U.S. export control obligations by extending Entity List, Military End User (MEU) List, and certain SDN List restrictions to unlisted foreign entities that are owned 50% or more—directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate—by one or more listed parties. The rule’s implications are far-reaching and raise complex operational questions for compliance professionals endeavoring to develop practices to address its requirements. Join us for an interactive roundtable discussion on the BIS Affiliates Rule and the significant compliance challenges companies are facing as they prepare for the rule’s return in November. The roundtable will give participants the opportunity to "compare notes" on practical approaches for complying with this rule. Topics of conversation will include screening methodologies and third-party screening solutions, contractual protections, due diligence expectations, escalation procedures, determining when applying for an export license is the best option, and more! The program will be conducted in a Zoom Meeting format to encourage interaction and discussion among attendees. There will be no formal presentations or PowerPoints — just a practical, give-and-take discussion among trade compliance professionals who are navigating many of the same uncertainties and implementation challenges. So, bring your questions, concerns, and best practices, and join us for what we hope will be a timely and productive discussion on preparing for the Affiliates Rule to come back into force. Our speakers will be:
Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
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Compliance Clinic (for Compliance Alliance members only) Calling all Compliance Alliance members! Join us for a discussion between exporters that will allow participants to “compare notes” on export compliance practices that have been effective in addressing some of the challenges in today’s ever-changing regulatory environment. All topics are on the table. No agenda, no Powerpoints – just a give-and-take discussion between trade compliance professionals. This event will be conducted in a Zoom Meeting format. So, bring your compliance questions and concerns and be prepared to participate in what we hope to be a lively discussion. Joining us will be fellow Compliance Alliance member Melissa Mannino, partner and co-leader of the International Trade and National Security team at the law firm of BakerHostetler. Melissa will be on-hand to field questions on trade controls needing legal expertise. Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026 Location: Online Cost: No charge - membership benefit for Compliance Alliance members only Contact: Massachusetts Export Center at training@massexport.org or 617-973-6610
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Small Business Open House Join the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC), in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), for an upcoming Small Business Open House designed to connect businesses and entrepreneurs directly with lenders, resource partners, and business advisors from across the region. The Open House will provide attendees with the opportunity to network, ask questions, explore financing options, and learn more about resources available to support business growth and success. Whether you are starting a business, seeking capital, planning for expansion, or simply looking to make valuable connections, this event is an excellent opportunity to engage with experts and organizations dedicated to helping Massachusetts small businesses thrive. We encourage all small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community partners to attend. We encourage all small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community partners to attend. This event is offered on multiple dates and at locations across the state. Click here to visit our dedicated Open House page. |
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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 "Tech Talks with Rob" an enlightening webinar series designed
specifically for small business owners looking to navigate the
complex world of technology. Each session, hosted by tech expert Rob
DelMastro, will delve into critical topics that are essential for
running a modern business in the digital age. 