Events and Training

Access event calendars, courses, and resources to help in your business endeavors!

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Grit City Connect: Construct Your Future

A networking event co-hosted by City, Parks, and Schools

Details:

📅 Date: September 25, 2025

🕒 Time: 9AM-12PM

📍 Location: Eastside Community Center: 1721 East 56th Street Tacoma, WA 98404

This forum is designed to:

  • Facilitate meaningful engagement between prime contractors and potential subcontractors.
  • Share insights into upcoming projects and procurement
  • Empowering small businesses by offering technical assistance that addresses the common barriers to capacity building and sustainable growth.
  • Promote networking and partnerships within our contracting community so do not forget your capabilities statements!

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect directly with public agency staff, prime contractors, and technical assistance providers!

Grit City Connect: Subcontractors Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/g/bKYNLZSeYu?origin=lprLink

If you are a Prime Contractor or provide Technical Assistance in the Public Works arena and you are interested in having a table please contact: Linda Cerna at [email protected] or call her at 253-453-9488. Space is limited and we will close the registration window as it fills.

 

If you have any questions, please email:

[email protected]

Attn: GCC

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OMWBE 201 Certification (Hybrid)

OMWBE 201 Certification (Hybrid) 

August 18th, 2025 (3PM-4:30PM)

Hybrid: Tacoma Municipal Building, Room 243, or virtually via Zoom

* In-person attendance is strongly encouraged, as the goal is for you to complete your certification application by the end of the class. To get the most out of the session, we recommend starting your application ahead of time and bringing any questions that may be holding you back from finishing. Please note: attending OMWBE 101 is not a prerequisite for this class.

Participants will have an opportunity to start or complete their OWMBE application to become a certified business and are encouraged to bring the following items:

  • Laptop/electronic device to start or complete the certification process
  • Financial statements and paperwork required for certification process

201 Registration: https://forms.office.com/g/fa3sGYZcT3?origin=lprLink

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Department of Enterprise Services-- Open House

Department of Enterprise Services has an open house every 3rd Thursday of the month, next 1 is August 21st

  1. State Contracting Opportunities & Open House Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Oportunidades en ContrataciĂłn Estatal y Casa Abierta Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

(V) The WASHINGTON EDGE: Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity pilot program’s goals are to prepare small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses to bid and perform work as Prime Contractors on Washington state public works projects/contracts. Below is the link for the EDGE Program webpage, which provides the program’s purpose, eligibility requirements, program components, and sign-ups! Please SPREAD THE WORD about our EDGE Program! 😊

(I) The first and important step is to register in Washington’s Electronic Business Solution (WEBS), which is Washington State’s vendor self-registration and solicitation notification system, where you will get notified of upcoming public works projects which your business can bid on. I have enclosed the WEBS Vendor Guide Manual, which outlines the steps on how to navigate through WEBS. Below are links which you may also find helpful with regard to WEBS:

How to Sell to the State

Active Contract Search (wa.gov)

Register for Washington Electronic Business Solution (WEBS)

WEBS Login Page

DES Open House – Every 3rd Thursday 3PM: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/state-contracting-opportunities-open-house-tickets-388925164637

If you have any further questions, issues, or problems with WEBS, please contact our WEBS Customer Service Specialists at [email protected] or (360) 902-7400.

Furthermore, if you or anyone you know will like to get certified as a minority- and/or women-owned business, please reach out to the WA Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise Services:

Main Office: (360) 664-9750

Toll Free: (866) 208-1064

Email: [email protected]

Website: Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises

And, if you or anyone you know will like to get certified as a veteran-owned business, please reach out to the WA Department of Veteran’s Affairs:

Central Office: (360) 791-1788

Toll Free: 1-800-562-2308

Email: [email protected]

Website: Home | WDVA (wa.gov)

For Construction/Public Works Companies only:

The DES Public Works Business Diversity Program’s goal is to increase opportunities for Washington State small, minority, women, and/or veteran-owned businesses in public contracting. Below are a couple of links which provides an overview, details, and information about our Program:

Public Works Business Diversity Program | Department of Enterprise Services (DES) (wa.gov)

Path to Achieving Equity in State Contracting and Procurement (wa.gov)

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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

 

 

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Organizational Resources

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:

Learn more about the Tacoma's business resources:

Contact the City
of Tacoma Team today

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