Events and Training

T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined

National Small Business Summit

Green Jobs & Pathways Summit

Hosted by City of Tacoma’s Green Workforce partnership on May 8, this summit  for workforce professionals is the result of the City of Tacoma’s efforts with our partners in workforce development, labor, community colleges, and employers, through the Good Jobs, Great Cities initiative convened by the National League of Cities and the Federal Department of Labor. This summit will focus on building foundations of understanding across “Green Jobs” sector stakeholders so we can intentionally grow and bridge pathways. We will share research and information gathered on top skills, local training pathways, and equity in quality green jobs so Pierce County stakeholders can understand trends in labor market demands as well as local opportunities for advancement in these careers. Participants will leave with a greater understanding of the future of green jobs in our region and opportunities for stronger alignment to ensure we have robust systems in place for the continued growth of the green economy in Tacoma and beyond.

Register in the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/green-jobs-pathways-summit-tickets-859724347667?aff=oddtdtcreator

Coffee With Co-founders @ Ebony & Ivory

Thursday, May 9th 9-1030am

Ebony and Ivory

1145 Broadway, Tacoma, WA

​Join WTIA, Tacoma’s Maritime Innovation Incubator and Startup253 at our next Coffee with Co-Founders at Ebony and Ivory.

Ebony and Ivory is the perfect spot to unwind and get creative. Be prepared to share your business challenges and wins with our startup community. Also, bring your laptop to turn this morning into a productive afternoon. They also sell adult beverages!

Energy Contractor Marketing Workshops

Emerald Cities Collaborative  is hosting a 4-part workshop series on Marketing for Contractors via zoom. This series will be conducted by Energy Circle, a recognized home performance marketing company who are also the marketing firm behind Clean Energy Connection in California.

All workshops can be found on our Contractor Development Page
Below is a summary of the offerings. All events are free of charge.

Best Practices for Contractor Marketing Part 1 – Your Foundation
Date: Tuesday, May 7
Time: 3pm-4pm
Location: Zoom
Register Here

Best Practices for Contractor Marketing Part 2 – Active Lead Generation
Date: Tuesday, May 14
Time: 3pm-4pm
Location: Zoom
Register Here

Marketing of Rebates, Incentives and the Inflation Reduction Act
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 3pm-4pm
Location: Zoom
Register Here

Marketing to Moderate-Income Homeowners
Date: Tuesday, May 28
Time: 3pm-4pm
Location: Zoom
Register Here

SCORE Workshops

Did you know the SCORE provides an ongoing series of free workshops for people seeking to start or grow a business?  Attend a workshop and learn from experienced executives how to position your business for success.

Check out the workshop calendar below:

https://www.score.org/seattle/local-workshops

Certification Fees Waived!

The Office of Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (“OMWBE”) is celebrating 40 years of service by waiving certification fees through June, 2024.  Washington State businesses are invited to get certified for FREE!  Renewal fees have also been waived for businesses who are already certified.

Why Certify?

• Be visible to prime and general contractors
• Gain access to valuable government contracts
• Network with contractors and government agencies

If you need support with any of your OMWBE Certifications, please email technicalassistance@omwbe.wa.gov or call 360-664-9750.

While currently these fees are only being waived through June, OMWBE is pursuing sustainable means of waiving the fees long-term.  Stay tuned!

MBDA Monthly Events

Marketing to Government Agencies and Prime Contractors (2024 Update)
April 4, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
Marketing to government agencies shares many similarities with marketing to commercial customers. To succeed in this arena, it’s crucial to identify your target market, understand the unique needs of your customers, develop a compelling value proposition, and effectively communicate your value proposition to potential buyers. In this webinar, Govology co-founder Carroll Bernard will provide valuable insights and practical strategies for mastering the art of marketing to government agencies.

Cost: $85. Free for MBDA Clients. Contact us to learn how to to receive your special discount code through Washington MBDA Business Center and start learning today!

Advanced Teaming Strategies to Accelerate Small Business Government Revenue (2024 Update)
April 9, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
Join us for an insightful webinar focused on advanced teaming strategies to propel your business growth in the government sector. Explore techniques to avoid pitfalls, capitalize on partnership opportunities, and differentiate your business for success in government contracting. Elevate your strategic approach and unlock new possibilities for business expansion.

Cost: $85. Free for MBDA Clients. Contact us to learn how to to receive your special discount code through Washington MBDA Business Center and start learning today!

Breaking Down Government Solicitations (2024 Update)
April 11, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
This informative webinar will enhance your understanding of government solicitations and improve your proposal-writing skills. You’ll learn essential solicitation terminology, discover various solicitation formats, and explore effective strategies for capturing critical keywords to ensure your proposals meet the criteria for responsiveness and compliance.

Cost: $85. Free for MBDA Clients. Contact us to learn how to to receive your special discount code through Washington MBDA Business Center and start learning today!

Creating a Capture Plan for a Small Business in the Government Marketplace (2024 Update)
April 16, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
Join our webinar to discover how small businesses can leverage capture planning to enhance their prospects of winning government contracts. You’ll gain insights into developing winning strategies and receive practical tools to support your capture planning efforts.

Cost: $85. Free for MBDA Clients. Contact us to learn how to to receive your special discount code through Washington MBDA Business Center and start learning today!

Submitting Compliant Offers to Government Agencies (2024 Update)
April 18, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
Join our introductory webinar to learn how to submit “compliant offers” to government agencies. Explore the nuances of quotes, bids, and proposals, understand the bid/no-bid decision process, and discover additional advanced training resources on govology.com. The universal tips in this webinar apply to government agencies at all levels – federal, state, and local.

Cost: $85. Free for MBDA Clients. Contact us to learn how to to receive your special discount code through Washington MBDA Business Center and start learning today!

Past Performance: A Critical Factor For Success in the Government Marketplace (2024 Update)
April 25, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
Past performance management is critical to the success of government contractors. In this webinar, led by government contracts attorneys Nicole Pottroff and Greg Weber, participants will learn about defining past performance, key regulations, the influence of dollar thresholds on past performance, federal assessment systems, and tools to improve past performance management.

Cost: $85. Free for MBDA Clients. Contact us to learn how to to receive your special discount code through Washington MBDA Business Center and start learning today!

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Organizational Event Calendars

For your convenience, we have compiled a list of agencies offering small business training and development opportunities. Please explore the sites below to see upcoming events:

• William Factory Small Business Incubator Calendar
• Washington State L&I Workshops and Training Center
• Minority Business Development Agency Event Calendar
• Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Of Commerce Event Calendar
• The World Trade Center Tacoma Event Page
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Event Page
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan Briefing Workshops
  • Events at Bottom of Page
• The Washington State Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Event Calendar
• Washington Center For Women In Business Event Calendar
• Veterans Business Outreach Center Region X (Business Impact NW) Courses
• Economic Alliance Snohomish County

Organizational Resources

Please explore below to see what resources are offered by the following organizations:

• Washington State Business Hub
• Pierce County Libraries (Job And Business Center) Resources
  • Access with Pierce County Library Card
• Tacoma Library Business Resources
  • Access with Tacoma Library Card
• City Of Tacoma Office Of Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
  • Contact: Carrie Lynn Phone: 253.591.5224 Email: clynn@ci.tacoma.wa.us
• City Of Tacoma Equity in Contracting Office (EIC)
  • Contact: Kacee Woods
  • Phone: 253-591-5075
  • Email: kwoods@cityoftacoma.org