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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| APRIL | |
| 30 |
Compliance Clinic |
| 30 | Effective Marketing Plan for Business Growth |
| MAY | |
| 5 | Northern Berkshire County Meet-and-Greet (North Adams) |
| 6 | Your Data Gone in 60 Seconds! Is Your Business One Bad Monday Away From Losing Everything? |
| 7 |
Shifting Global Supply Chains in an
Era of U.S.–China Trade Tensions: A Trade Compliance
Perspective |
| 15 |
Tariff Talk: Ask the Experts |
| 20 |
Buy vs Build: Considerations for
Evaluating AI-based Trade Compliance Technology Solutions |
| 21 | Are You Bankable? |
| JUNE | |
| 3 | Friend or Fraud - How to Put AI to Work Without Getting Burned |
| 3 |
Convergence of Export and Import
Compliance: Implications for Compliance Programs and Due
Diligence Practices |
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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
Customer records, invoices, years of work — wiped out by a ransomware attack, a failed hard drive, or a flood. It's not a question of if it happens to small businesses, it's when — and 43% of businesses that experience major data loss never reopen. This month's Tech Talks with Rob tackles the topic most business owners know they should deal with but keep putting off: Backup & Disaster Recovery: Your Business Lifeline. In just 20 minutes, you'll learn the 3-2-1 Rule (the one backup strategy every business needs), why Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive are not backups, how ransomware silently destroys your backups before you even know you've been hit, and free tools already sitting on your computer waiting to be turned on.
You've heard about AI for two years. You might even be using it. But here's what nobody is telling you — the same AI tools that can save your business 15 hours a week are being weaponized against businesses just like yours right now. This month's Tech Talks with Rob cuts through the noise with "Friend or Fraud: How to Put AI to Work Without Getting Burned" — a no-jargon, no-hype, 20-minute session that covers both sides of the AI story. You will learn which free and low-cost AI tools are actually saving small business owners time right now (writing, customer service, scheduling, bookkeeping), what data you should never put into an AI tool and why, how voice cloning and deepfake video calls are being used to trick employees into authorizing wire transfers, the one protocol that stops AI-powered payment fraud cold, and how to write a one-page AI use policy for your staff in a single afternoon.
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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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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 will be conducted in a Zoom Meeting format. 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 Ulrika Swanson, partner with the law firm of Cassidy Levy Kent, who will be on-hand to field questions on trade controls needing legal expertise. Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
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Effective Marketing Plan for Business Growth What is the most important part of a business plan? THE MARKETING PLAN!!! To keep one's business on course, the marketing plan must be geared toward: the business's mission, its product and service lines, its markets, its financial situation, and its marketing/sales tactics. Register today to get started on your plan! The speaker will be Cliff Robbins, regional director and senior business advisor with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center - Southeast Region. Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Cosponsored by the New Bedford Economic Development Council (NBEDC) and MassDevelopment Growth Capital Division |
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Northern Berkshire County Meet-and-Greet Calling All North County Businesses and Entrepreneurs! You are invited to join us for a casual, in-person meet-and-greet designed to connect you with the resources and people who can help your business succeed. This flexible, drop-in event allows you to stop by at your convenience to:
At the top of each hour, we will offer a brief informational session so you can gain insights no matter when you arrive. We are pleased to welcome Jenny Wright of the North Adams Partnership Susan Briggs of the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce, who will be available to share how their organizations can support your business and the benefits of becoming a member. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, this is a great opportunity to build connections and discover tools to move your business forward. We hope to see you there! Speakers include:
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Cosponsored by the North Adams Partnership and the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce |
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Shifting Global Supply Chains in an Era of U.S.–China Trade Tensions: A Trade Compliance Perspective In today’s evolving trade environment, understanding how global supply chains are shifting—particularly across Asia—is critical amid ongoing uncertainty in U.S.–China trade relations and future negotiations. As businesses reassess their supply chains, they must also navigate changing trade and technology dynamics across Asia to effectively manage risk and develop strategies for compliance. This session will provide an Asian perspective to the implications of geopolitical developments on trade and technology flows. It will explore how countries and businesses in Asia are reacting to efforts by the U.S., Europe and China to derisk and decouple their economies. The speaker will also discuss the key trade compliance risks arising from the re-routing of supply chains in Asia and the rise in new manufacturing hubs in countries like India and Vietnam. The session will end with a discussion on practical compliance strategies and best practices that companies and businesses can adopt when dealing with these seismic changes. Our speaker will be Eugene Lim, founding principal of WTS Taxise. Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
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Cut through the tariff confusion with this virtual, expert-led session designed for manufacturers navigating the evolving tariff landscape. Our speakers include a Customs and Trade Attorney and a Licensed Customs Broker and Freight Forwarder. This practical session will begin with a brief overview of current developments, including the Section 122 10% global temporary tariffs, Section 301 investigations, Section 232 expansions, the status of IEEPA tariff refunds, and more, before opening it up for Q&A with attendees. This program will be conducted in a Zoom Meeting format to promote interaction between the experts and attendees, so bring your Customs and tariff questions and be prepared to participate in a lively discussion. No matter what tariff or Customs challenges you’re navigating, this session will deliver the expert insight and real-world solutions you need to keep your global operations running smoothly. Our speakers will be:
Date: Friday, May 15, 2026
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Buy vs Build: Considerations for Evaluating AI-based Trade Compliance Technology Solutions In an increasingly complex global trade and regulatory environment, companies are challenged not only to keep pace, but to strategically adopt AI-enabled technologies that create competitive advantage. The decision to build or buy these solutions is inherently multi-layered, spanning functions such as compliance, IT, operations and strategy. This webinar will provide a practical framework for evaluating the build-vs-buy decision in the context of rapidly evolving regulations, global market dynamics and emerging technologies. Participants will gain greater clarity on how to align technology investments with organizational goals and risk tolerance. Real-world examples and case studies will be used to illustrate how companies are approaching these choices in practice. Our speaker will be Leslie August, chief marketing officer with KYG Trade. Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
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Recent changes in the U.S. international trade policy have resulted in an all-of-government approach whereby administrative agencies seek to leverage the regulatory structures developed by sister agencies to create rules that meet their own heightened demands. The effect has been a convergence between import, export, and sanctions controls, so that skills that were traditionally developed for compliance with one regulatory regime are now required for compliance with others. This webinar will address key areas of convergence such as product classification, supply chain due diligence as well as the statutory and administrative regulations that led to this development. It will also cover considerations, pitfalls and best practices for practitioners navigating the complex international trade landscape. Our speaker will be J. Tyler Black, Partner with Thompson Coburn LLC. Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
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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.