7 Hours

FREE ONE DAY CONFERENCE The Small Business 4th Annual Business Growth Conference: In honor of National Small Business Week, the SBDC hosts its annual Growth Conference so you can gain the tools and learn the strategies to grow your business.

Date: Wednesay, June 19, 2013

Classes held from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
This activity is free

3 Hours

How to do Business with Pinellas County Reverse Tradeshow from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. allows vendors and Small Business Enterprises to meet with Pinellas County buyers; learn how to navigate each department’s vending process; gather information on future contracts and bid solicitations; and identify opportunities in the purchasing chain.
Panel Discussion: Tips for doing business with Local Government from 11:00 AM -12:00 PM A panel of government representatives share knowledge about public procurement activities. Get tips on how to obtain notices of proposed government procurement actions, pointers on contract awards, and information on how to respond to bids effectively to be awarded contracts will be answered and discussed.

Date: Thursday, July 25, 2013

This activity is free

4.5 Hours

The Pinellas County Reverse Tradeshow: allows Pinellas County’s small business owners to meet with the county’s buyers and purchasing agents to learn how to do business with Pinellas County Government. Participating departments can diversify their supplier chains, boost competition and lower cost, increase vendor responsiveness, and enhance local small businesses involvement in the County’s procurement process.

Date: Thursday, July 25, 2013

Tradeshow set up from 7:30 - 8:30 AM. Doors open to the public at 9:00 AM and close at 12:00 PM
This activity is free

7 Hours

Selling to the Government Made Easy: A Roadmap To Success The Small Business Development Center and Procurement Technical Assistance Center, University of South Florida are hosting the 26th Annual Government Small Business Conference. The Conference is a two day event with informative workshops on the first day followed by a tradeshow on the second day. The objective of this conference is to provide the Small Business community with the tools and resources for an opportunity to increase their chances of being successful through interaction with government agencies and large prime contractors.

Dates: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 - Thursday May 2, 2013

The Conference will be held in Higgins Hall, at the St. Lawrence Parrish, 5225 N. Himes Ave., Tampa, FL 33614. Registration is available through the SBDC@USF. Please call 813-905-5800 to register for this event.

2 Hours

Starting a Business: Licenses, Permits and Legal Requirements to Start a Business: In order to operate your business, you must comply with a wide range of local, state and federal rules. We can give you the resources and tools to help you navigate through this process. Learn more detailed information on specific local permits, state requirements, and federal licenses that your business may need.

This event is available the first Tuesday of every month.

2013 Dates: January 8, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, December 3

Classes held from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Price: $10.00

2 Hours

Growing a Business: Secrets of Success for Start-ups and Existing Business Owners Experienced business owners and new entrepreneurs will learn the essential ingredients to growing a profitable business. This seminar will teach you how to work on the business instead of in the business! We’ll cover the most important planning steps, strategies to increase sales, raising capital, and measuring results! This event is available the first Thursday of every month; and is provided in partnership with the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Participants will receive a gift certificate for a free four week subscription along with course materials.

This event is available the first Thursday of every month.

2013 Dates: January 3, February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5

Classes held from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Price: $10.00

2 Hours

Whether you just want to stay on task, develop a solid plan for success, or satisfy lenders and investors, we can help you write a great business plan. We will show you how to choose the best format for your purpose, the relevant sections you will need to complete, how to find research and answers that help, and give you plenty of examples to make it as straight-forward and useful as possible. The registration fee includes course materials.

2013 Dates: Thursdays, February 14, May 9, August 8, December 12

Classes held from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Price: $25.00

2 Hours

Setting up a chart of accounts, creating invoices, paying bills, writing checks and tracking customers - QuickBooks makes it all easier. This introductory class takes you through the basics of the software program. Presented by the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents. Cost includes course materials.

2013 Dates: Thursdays, January 10, March 20, June 13

Classes held from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Price: $25.00

2 Hours

This seminar is designed to help small business owners understand proper accounting procedures and record keeping requirements necessary to manage your business and to calculate payroll, and pay state and federal taxes. Presented by the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents. The registration fee includes course materials.

2013 Dates: Thursdays, January 17, April 25, July 18, October 17

Classes held from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Price: $25.00

2 Hours

Running a Profitable Company: Managing Cash Flow, Financial Ratios, and Profits This workshop is a one-time special event in partnership with the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce. Discussion includes: Running a profitable company, managing cash flow, analyzing your financial ratios & understanding where your profits really come from. This is intended to be a working session that will allow business owners to leave with hands on knowledge to manage cash flow, financial ratios and profits. Don’t miss it!.

Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 & Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Classes held from 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

2 Hours

Marketing Plans and Strategies for Increasing Sales Customers are the key to every successful business and effective, strategic, marketing is the way to attract your customers and increase revenue. Learn the secrets of strategic marketing! Discover real strategies you can use to win new customers and outsmart the competition.The registration fee includes course materials.

2013 Dates: Thursdays, January 24, April 11, July 11, October 10

Classes held from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Price: $25.00

2 Hours

Managing Web Presence: Websites and Facebook for Business Your customers are making decisions about your business by what they see and don’t see on the web. A website is often the first and most important impression customers have about your business. More recently, some customers have begun to rely on social media sites like Facebook even more than traditional websites. They may already be posting about products and services you sell. Be a part of the conversation. Learn effective web site, Facebook, and Internet marketing tactics that compliment your marketing strategy. Get the most out of your web designer and Internet advertising suppliers. Presented by AdSharp.com and Pinellas County Economic Development.

2013 Dates: Thursdays, March 14, June 20, August 15, October 24

Classes held from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Price: $25.00

2 Hours

Business owners and entrepreneurs talk one-on-one with more than twenty different small business lenders in one place. Browse among the exhibits and discover the lending option that is right for your business.

8/22/2013 from 12:00 PM -2:00 PM, EPI Center Room 1-451
This activity is free

2 Hours

Lenders Register Here (Business Owners Register Above)

Lenders talk one-on-one with more than 200 different business owners in one place. Network with the small business community of Pinellas County, and partner with community resources, such as the SBDC, SBA, HBIF, Gulf Coast CDC, and PCED.

Please only register one representative from your organization. Registration covers two people from your agency, a 6' table and 2 chairs. Table and back drop displays are welcome along with your marketing collateral.

8/22/2013 Set up begins at 10:30 AM and the Fair is open to the public from 12:00 PM -2:00 PM, EPI Center Room 1-451
Price: $50.00

2 Hours

Does your small business need a loan? The Small Business Administration (SBA) may have a program to help you get that loan. An SBA representative will walk you through the most relevant SBA programs available to small businesses seeking credit, and how to increase your chances of getting loans. You’ll also learn the 5c’s of credit that every lender uses!

2013 Dates: Thursdays, March 28, June 27, September 12, October 31

Classes held from 12:00 PM -2:00 PM
Price: $10.00

2 Hours

Doing Business with the Pinellas County SBE Program, & Understanding Women, Veteran, and Minority Business Certification Pinellas County’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program ensures local small businesses have opportunities to participate in the competitive process for County contracts. This seminar provides information about the County purchasing system as well as personal assistance with the registration process for doing business with County Government. Additionally, participants are welcome to stay for the second hour to learn how to fill out the State of Florida Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) application and discover opportunities available for women, minority, and service-disabled veteran owned firms in both the government and private sectors.

2013 Dates: Thursdays, February 21, May 23, September 26, December 19

Classes held from 12:00 PM -2:00 PM
Price: $10.00

2 Hours

Ready…Set…Sell to the Federal Government! The USF Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) will provide information on how to register with the Federal Government, how to located federal opportunities, and the steps necessary to obtain federal certifications, and so much more! The registration fee includes course materials.

2013 Dates: Thursdays, February 28, May 30, August 29, November 21

Classes held from 12:00 PM -2:00 PM
Price: $25.00