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

WA Small Business Disaster Relief
Applications are due by March 31, 2023 for business applying for special assistance through Washington’s Small Business Disaster Relief Fund. This funding is not related to Covid 19.
Please see full information at https://makeittacoma.com/business-resources/employer-employee-resources/

Blue Ventures Meet & Greet
Thursday, March 30, 2023 from 4-7 PM at TractionSpace (710 Pacific)
Link can be found here for registration
Join us at Traction Space for an evening of networking and more as we celebrate another year of programs from Washington Maritime Blue. You will meet the founders going through the Tacoma Maritime Innovation Incubator, the Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator, and the international program One Ocean Innovation Accelerator.
You will hear from the leaders at Maritime Blue as well as other special guests. Food and drink to be provided. Open to the general public!

Hospitality and Lodging Grants
The Washington State Department of Commerce announced a new grant opportunity for businesses in the hospitality and lodging industry that suffered business losses due to the pandemic. The application portal opens on March 14 at wahospitalitygrants.com.
For questions, email info@wahospitalitygrants.com.
Please find more information at: https://makeittacoma.com/business-resources/employer-employee-resources/

Veterans Small Business Certification
SBA is now accepting applications for the Veteran Small Business Certification program. Through this new program, certified veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses can compete for set-aside government contracts. The program will be SBA‘s primary certification vehicle for all veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, important classifications that enable those businesses to qualify for sole-source and set-aside federal contracting awards.

Fleet Decarbonization Accelerator
What to learn more about decarbonizing your fleet? Through grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Adminstration, companies from the Pacific NW can now join the Fleet Decarbonization Accelerator for practical lessons from fleet management experts.
Applications to the Accelerator are open now.
To learn more, please see:
https://www.breakingbarrierscollaborative.org/

MBDA events
[NEW] State Contracting Opportunities & Open House – Zoom Meeting [WA DES] January 19, February 16 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT On the third Thursday of the month, the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) facilitates an interactive conversation with state procurement professionals who can provide information and insight on how to do business with the state. Join us for this virtual event where we will discuss a variety of topics, including: Introduction to state contracting; How to find upcoming contracting opportunities; Where to get technical assistance; Where to find additional training; opportunity for questions and answers.
[NEW DATES] SBA & EIDL Updates Including Managing Your EIDL Loan [SBDC] Multiple Dates – see below, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST, Online Learn how to access the SBA’s Capital Access Financial System to review your SBA loan information including your payment activity, your loan balance, your monthly payment amount, your due date, and how to make a payment. Updates on SBA programs will also be provided. Select from dates below to register:
Small Business Cybersecurity Series [SBDC] January 10 – February 21 – Online Small businesses are under cyber and data-breach attacks more than ever given the current climate. Cyber attacks happen every day, and for a small business they can be very costly and cripple business operations. Having your systems and information compromised is not only a direct threat to your confidential data, it can also ruin your relationships with customers and cause legal vulnerability. It is imperative to learn how to boost your cyber defense systems. This series was developed to help small businesses be cyber safe. Click below to register for each of the four parts.
Part 1: Protection – January 10, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST
Part 2: Authentication – January 24, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST
Part 3: Systems – February 7, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST
Part 4: Implementation – February 21, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST
GovCon Coffee & Issues Podcast (With Carroll Bernard & Michael LeJeune) [Govology] First Wednesdays of every month, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PDT This is Govology’s weekly forum where they discuss and solve issues faced by small businesses pursuing government market opportunities. Join us for a live webcast and take part in the conversation. Get feedback on your issue and ask follow-up questions.
Grow with a Pro [Business Impact NW]Tuesdays, 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM PT Whether you are in the idea phase or a growth phase in your business, we invite you to attend our weekly Grow with a Pro coffee chats. You will hear from Business Professionals from Umpqua Bank, Tax-u-Sign, and an Attorney from the Rational Unicorn. Every Tuesday from 9 to 9:45 am Pacific Time, you will get to hear from one of these professionals as they chat about their area of expertise as it relates to current times and we will have an opportunity for a few of your non-confidential questions to get some answers. We’ll even be offering you opportunities to connect with other business owners through these morning coffee chats.
- First Tuesday of Every Month: Neura Conejo – Banking Professional – Umpqua Bank
- Second Tuesday of Every Month: Lily Tran – Tax Professional – Tax-u-Sign
- Third Tuesday of Every Month: Andrew Peoples – Insurance Professional – Parker, Smith & Feek
- Fourth Tuesday of Every Month: Michael Jonas – Legal Professional – Rational Unicorn Legal Services PC
Solicitation Review: Go or No-Go Decisions – DAY 1 and 2 [PTAC]
GovCon Coffee & Issues Podcast (With Carroll Bernard & Michael LeJeune) [Govology] First Wednesdays of every month, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PDT This is Govology’s weekly forum where they discuss and solve issues faced by small businesses pursuing government market opportunities. Join us for a live webcast and take part in the conversation. Get feedback on your issue and ask follow-up questions
Doing Business with the City of Seattle – Online First Fridays of each month, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT Join City of Seattle for “First Fridays” online to meet Purchasing and Contracting staff who are part of purchasing, consultant contracting and construction/public works teams. Three sessions are offered at at once so choose the one you’re interested in! Separate online workshops are available same day in Spanish, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Primer Viernes del mes
PTAC & SBDC First Friday Follow-Up Every first Friday of each month EASC/PTAC Friday Follow-up is an open forum, round table for businesses to get answers from your local PTAC counselor. Bring your questions regarding government contracting and learn from knowledgeable Small Business Experts. Janet Toth with the Small Business Development Center will be with us to share her knowledge about growing your business.
Public Works – Business Plan & Pursuit Schedule (Plan the Plan) [PTAC] January 3 – January 31, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM PST – Online Each session is led by a subject matter expert(s) from the public works sector. This training series is a continuation of the Fundamentals training which took place in November 2022 for small, minority and women-owned businesses. We are now focused on learning about the BIDDING PROCESS. Training sessions are scheduled for each Tuesday in the month of January 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Register for the sessions you would like to participate in by selecting each hyperlink below:
January 3rd – Business Plan & Pursuit Schedule (Plan the Plan)
January 10th – Specs & Schedule (Digging In)
January 17th – Pricing (Nuts and Bolts)
January 24th – Bidding (Making Final Adjustments)
January 31st – After Bid Submission Etiquette (Now What)
Small Business Cybersecurity Series [SBDC] January 10 – February 21 – Online Small businesses are under cyber and data-breach attacks more than ever given the current climate. Cyber attacks happen every day, and for a small business they can be very costly and cripple business operations. Having your systems and information compromised is not only a direct threat to your confidential data, it can also ruin your relationships with customers and cause legal vulnerability. It is imperative to learn how to boost your cyber defense systems. This series was developed to help small businesses be cyber safe. Click below to register for each of the four parts.
Part 1: Protection – January 10, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST
Part 2: Authentication – January 24, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST
Part 3: Systems – February 7, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST
Part 4: Implementation – February 21, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST
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
- Invista Performance Solutions Courses
- 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 Business Marketing Data Services
- Contact: Carol Wolfe Phone: 253.591.5384 Email: cwolfe@cityoftacoma.org
Learn more about the Tacoma's business resources: