Events and Training

Fireside Chat for Entrepreneurs

William Factory Incubator:

Pierce County Manufacturing Day Expo

Thursday, October 5, 2023 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM

Clover Park Technical College, Center for Advanced Manufacturing

Building 24 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW Lakewood, WA 98499-4004

The Expo is a community celebration of the manufacturing industry in Pierce County and the exciting career opportunities it holds! Learn about new frontiers in manufacturing including automation, robotics, instrumentation and process control, and supply chain logistics equipment. Meet leaders in the industry and discover how to create, contribute, and connect in this growing sector.

Audience

• Pierce County Manufacturers
• Students, Parents, Educators
• Community Members

Activities

• Industry and Student Panel Student
• Demonstrations
• Industry Showcase

Registration Information

• Registration required for industry showcase tables
  • Register here
• Attendees are welcome to walk-in or pre-register

Free Business Training - ScaleUp

ScaleUp is advanced business training for companies who have moved beyond startup and launch.  It will help you build capacity, increase profits, and improve efficiency.

• Nine weekly live sessions with peer discussions
• Self-paced online learning modules
• Mentorship with trainers
• Access to the Scaleup alumni network

The training is provided at no cost to Washington businesses through funding the the Department of Commerce.  Three classes are starting this fall:

• Class 1:  October 17, 9 – 10:30 a.m.
• Class 2:  October 18, 9 – 10:30 a.m.
• Class 3:  October 18, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

For more information and to register, visit:

http://mystartup365.com/programs/scaleup/

Thriving Together Small Business Resources

SBA Cyber Summit

New schedule! The free SBA Cyber Summit is now set to kick off on October 18 with sessions every Wednesday through November 8 and 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The sessions will feature industry leaders, experts, and entrepreneurs who will provide tips and resources on how to keep your business safe in today’s digital world.

Register

Collaboration for a Cause

Collaboration for a Cause: Pierce County is coming to the Tacoma Dome on Wednesday, November 1st from 10am-4pm!

Collaboration for a Cause offers an easy way for individuals and families to access resources and employment opportunities right in their own community. Employers, education providers, and organizations throughout Pierce County will connect with our community in one place at one time to connect people to resources and services to find stability and quality employment.

Attendees can connect with employers, and a variety of services including basic needs, education & training, health, youth, LGBTQ+, veterans, and disability services. We expect over 1,000 people in attendance for this one-day event.

Register here for Collaboration for a Cause: Pierce County

Veterans Small Business Week

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 Monthly Events

Govology courses coming up in September:

Debunking SBIR/STTR Myths: Strategies to Protect and Optimize the Value of SBIR & STTR Program Authorities (2023 Update)
September 5, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
This webinar provides insight into the SBA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program regulations, common SBIR/STTR myths, and how to develop effective strategies to protect and optimize an SBIR and STTR participant’s rights, values and wealth under the SBIR & STTR programs.

Going Green: Smart Manufacturing, EV Tech, and Green Development in the FAR
September 7, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
In this webinar, we will explore the Federal Government’s plan and goals for incorporating green technologies into contracts. From smart and sustainable manufacturing to hydroelectric power, electric vehicle charging stations, carbon capture and storage, and safe hydrogen fuel development, we’ll cover the range of green endeavors funded by the infrastructure bill.

NAICS Codes: Six Impactful Digits for Federal Contractors (2023 Update)
September 12, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
NAICS codes matter because they determine whether a business qualifies for SBA’s lucrative and exclusive small business set-aside contracts. Recently, SBA made several changes to size thresholds and size calculation. In addition, several industries have also been rearranged in the most recent NAICS manual. If you are asking yourself how these changes impact your business or how you might appeal a NAICS code designation, this webinar is for you!

Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) Rules for Federal Contractors
September 14, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
A government contractor cannot perform a contract requiring access to classified information unless the contractor is free of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) or implements appropriate safeguards to protect national security. Additionally, contractors may be subject to a FOCI review for certain contracts without security clearance requirements as part of the Contracting Officer’s responsibility assessment. In this webinar, Govology Legal Analyst Steven Koprince provides an overview of the FOCI rules for government contractors.

Cybersecurity Essentials That Protect Your Business and Customer
September 21, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
During this webinar, we’ll share our methodology for reducing cybersecurity risk within a small business environment. This methodology, derived from recommendations by leading security organizations, outlines ten simple (and affordable) steps to building a resilient cybersecurity program tailored to small business resource constraints. You will learn about recent cybersecurity trends and what you must do to protect your business.

DIBBS System Overview – Searching for and Bidding on Opportunities (2023 Update)
September 28, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT
By popular demand, Josh Frank (RSM Federal) brings an in-depth overview and instruction on DLA’s Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS). If you sell a product, the government likely buys a portion of what you sell on DIBBS. Just as billions of dollars are spent on services (and products) via the System for Award Management, billions of dollars are also spent on DIBBS!

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