Events and Training

Capital Ready: Preparing Businesses for Growth in Public Contracting on October 27, 2026

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 

• Aaron Stuesser, Senior Vice President and Business Banking Market Executive with Bank of America 

• Brent Robinson, Business Relationships Manager for South Pierce & Thurston Counties, BECU 

• Jimmy Ng, Senior Vice President, Business Banking Sales Leader, KeyBank 

Event Details
Date: October 27, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Doors open at 3:30PM)
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: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/capital-ready-preparing-businesses-for-growth-in-public-contracting-tickets-2002965414473?aff=oddtdtcreator  

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

Access to Capital: Revolving Loan Fund 101

10/14 Loan Readiness Panel

Are you considering applying for a business loan but not sure where to start? GSBA is hosting a practical and informative panel discussion designed to help small business owners better understand the lending process and what lenders look for when evaluating a loan application.

Wednesday, October 14 from 12-1:30 p.m.

Whether you’re preparing to apply for your first business loan, looking for financing to support growth, or simply want to better understand what it takes to become “loan -ready,” this conversation will provide actionable insights you can put to work in your business. Panelists will share their expertise on key areas of the lending process, including:

Preparing your finances: Learn which financial documents and information lenders typically review and how to make sure your business finances are in order before applying.
Strengthening your business plan: Understand how a clear, realistic business plan can help communicate your goals, financial needs, and ability to repay a loan.
Understanding credit requirements: Get a better sense of how business and personal credit may factor into the lending process and what you can do to strengthen your credit profile.
Navigating the application process: Learn what to expect when applying for financing, from gathering documentation to communicating with lenders and responding to follow-up questions.
Becoming loan-ready: Walk away with practical steps you can take now to prepare your business for a future financing opportunity.

The panel will feature Alex Alvarez (Evergreen Business Capital Community Finance) and Laura Gomez (Business Impact NW), who will share their perspectives and experience working with small businesses and entrepreneurs. Whether you’re actively preparing a loan application or simply want to understand what lenders are looking for before you need financing, this panel is an opportunity to gain practical knowledge, ask questions, and take the next steps toward becoming loan-ready.

This will be a hybrid event, with a limited number of attendees able to participate in person at the GSBA Capitol Hill office in Seattle. In-person seating is limited to the first 20 attendees, so early registration is encouraged. Business owners and entrepreneurs from throughout the Pacific Northwest can also participate virtually online. Instructions will be provided by EBCCF after registration.

Register at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZuhQhK_6e9W58pZp86J3_QDl3proMSbwu_6KZtkIPh8KCnw/viewform

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!

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! 

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

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:

• William Factory Small Business Incubator Calendar
• Washington State L&I Workshops and Training Center
• 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
• Washington APEX Accelerator (formerly 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