Events and Training

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

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OMWBE Certification Workshops

🌟 Ready to Explore OMWBE Certification?

The City of Tacoma’s Equity in Contracting (EIC) Program is partnering with the Washington State Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) to bring two practical certification workshops to businesses throughout Washington!

Whether you’re just exploring certification or ready to complete your application, these workshops are designed to help you take the next step. You do not need to attend both classes—they are independent of one another.

📚 OMWBE Introduction to Certification 101
📅 September 9, 2026 | ⏰ 9–10 AM
💻 Virtual

Learn:
✔️ Whether OMWBE certification is right for your business
✔️ Federal and state certification options
✔️ Tips for successfully completing your application
✔️ What documents you’ll need
✔️ How certification can open doors to contracting opportunities

🚀 OMWBE Certification 201
📅 September 28, 2026 | ⏰ 9–11 AM
📍 Tacoma Municipal Building, Room 243 + Virtual
In-person attendance is strongly encouraged.

Ready to get your application across the finish line? Participants will have the opportunity to work directly with Resie Rogers, OMWBE Certification Analyst, with the goal of completing and submitting their application by the end of class.

💻 Bring your laptop/device and the financial statements and paperwork required for your application.

Open to businesses in Tacoma and throughout Washington State.

Registration Link for OMWBE 101 is – Fill | OMWBE 101 Workshop Registration (Q3 – 2026)

Registration Link for 201 is – Fill | OMWBE 201 Workshop Registration (Q3 – 2026)

👉 Whether you’re asking “Is certification right for me?” or “How do I finish my application?”—we’re here to help!

📩 Questions or accommodation requests: Linda Cerna | [email protected] | (253) 453-9488

#OMWBE #EquityInContracting #TacomaBusiness #SmallBusiness #GovernmentContracting #BusinessGrowth #WashingtonBusiness #CommunityBuildsCommunity 💚💜

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BizFair, September 19th

BizFair is returning to Puyallup on September 19th! This free event is a valuable opportunity for all current and aspiring small business owners. For information on workshops, exhibitors, and registration visit www.bizfair.wa.gov

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POSTPONED Capital Ready: Preparing Businesses for Growth in Public Contracting

NOTICE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Capital Ready: Preparing Businesses for Growth in Public Contracting Workshop has been postponed. A new date will be announced once it has been confirmed.

TACOMA, Wash. – The City of Tacoma’s Equity in Contracting Program, in partnership with local financial institutions, invites small businesses to join Capital Ready: Preparing Businesses for Growth in Public Contracting. This interactive workshop and networking event will help Tacoma-area businesses understand financing options, strengthen lender relationships, and prepare for growth in the public contracting space.

The session will be moderated by Scott Lundt, CM\&AA, CBI, MSFE, Co-owner of LED Trail, a clean energy solutions firm specializing in turnkey EV charging infrastructure, energy storage, and commercial and industrial LED lighting. Attendees will hear directly from banking leaders representing institutions from the local to national level.

Featured Panelists

  • Shelia Winston, Vice President & Certified Senior Business Consultant, Chase Bank
  • Brent Robinson, Business Relationships Manager for South Pierce & Thurston Counties, BECU
  • Jimmy Ng, Senior Vice President, Business Banking Sales Leader, KeyBank

Event Details
TBD
Location: Edison Square, 5415 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409

The discussion will cover financing readiness, working capital needs, lender expectations, common barriers to obtaining capital, and funding solutions that support business growth, equipment purchases, contract performance, and larger public-sector opportunities. Guests will also have dedicated time before and after the panel to connect directly with lenders and business resource partners.

✨ Free & Open to the Public
🔗 Register now at: Eventbrite

📩 Questions or accessibility needs? Contact Linda Cerna at [email protected] or (253) 453-9488

Let’s build stronger businesses together — we hope to see you there!

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Preparing the Bid Virtual Workshop: October 19, 2026

Preparing the Bid Workshop on October 19th, 2026

TACOMA, Wash. – The City of Tacoma, in collaboration with the government contracting advisors at the nonprofit Washington APEX Accelerator, invites small businesses to participate in an interactive workshop titled Preparing the Bid. This in person, instructor-led workshop will focus on helping businesses understand what is required to successfully prepare for and navigate bidding on government solicitations. Participants will be guided through the essential steps of reviewing and interpreting solicitation documents, empowering them to approach contracting opportunities with greater confidence and clarity. 

Date: October 19th, 2026 

Time: 10:00AM – 12:00PM 

Location: Virtual 

What you’ll learn: 

  • How to read, understand, and dissect solicitation documents 
  • How to use take-home tools, including a customizable pre-bid checklist 
  • How to apply a bid/no-bid decision matrix tailored to your business needs 
  • Key considerations and requirements that impact competitive, compliant bids 
  • Practical insights from government contracting advisors 

This workshop will equip businesses with the skills, tools, and foundational knowledge required to assess opportunity fit, prepare complete submissions, and strengthen their readiness for the public contracting process.  

✨ Free & Open to the Public
🔗 Register now at: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/aZ2xV4JyfQ?origin=lprLink  

📩 Questions or accessibility needs? Contact Linda Cerna at [email protected] or (253) 453-9488 

  Let’s build stronger businesses together — we hope to see you there! 

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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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