VDBA Connections

 

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance offers “live” resource connections, throughout the year, to businesses and partners all across the Commonwealth, with our special events and traveling workshops. While we encourage the use of our online resources as the primary tool for information gathering, VDBA recognizes that increasing business capacity still requires the human touch.  We sponsor or participate with allies in seminars, workshops, and meetings in every corner of the state, emphasizing networking and relationship-building.  Pre-registration for VDBA events is requested!

VDBA Special Events

From time to time, VDBA sponsors major business conferences or seminars that bring comprehensive resources to the table, either statewide or regionally.  Our most recent special events:

Business Enterprise Fair, May 14, Dabney Lancaster Community College Entrepreneurs found  helpful workshops and training sessions, as well as all federal, state, and local resource providers, under one roof. 

Business on the Beach, June 22^nd, Virginia Beach Convention Center This event featured workshops geared to every business level, procurement assistance, SWaM and eVA training, networking with state and federal agencies, and exhibits by an array of business resource providers.  The luncheon speaker was VDBA Director and former private business consultant Louisa M. Strayhorn.  Over 400 businesses attended!

Selling to the Commonwealth Workshop Series

Selling to the Commonwealth is VDBA’s continuing series of events that encourage businesses to become vendors to state and local government and/or improve the marketing of their products to state and local buyers.  These workshops usually include representatives from the Department of Minority Business Enterprise (DMBE) discussing SWaM (Small, Woman and Minority-owned) certification and VDBA or Department of General Services (DGS) training on using the eVA system for bidding on state and local contracts.  Networking and matchmaking between vendors and purchasing officials is facilitated formally and informally.

“Advanced Techniques in State Procurement” workshops have recently been added to the series, building on the training offered at introductory workshops.  For those interested in training at their home or office, a monthly “Webinar” is offered—log in and learn!

All Selling to the Commonwealth events are posted here.

Future Selling to the Commonwealth events:

August 15                   Webinar

August 28                   Advanced Techniques (Chester)

Expect more workshops when summer ends!

Entrepreneur Express:  Moving Your Business Forward Workshop Series

Successfully tested throughout Southwest Virginia, Entrepreneur Express workshops will make their debut in Southern Virginia on July 19th. These events, covering a half-day, are designed for the unique needs of start-up and early stage businesses.  Training is offered and resource providers are on-hand to provide on-the-spot assistance and follow-up.  Over 500 new or prospective business owners have attended Express events since October, 2006.  Learn more about these events at vastartup.org.

Upcoming Entrepreneur Express workshops:

August 7                     Brunswick County (Alberta)

August 16                   Abingdon

September 13              Pulaski County (Dublin)

Partner Events

VDBA frequently works with local and regional partners to present business formation, business expansion, and Selling to the Commonwealth information at their events.

Some upcoming partner events:

August 1                     JMU SWAM Vendor Fair (Harrisonburg)

August 2                     Multicultural Business Conference (Annandale)

Expect more partner events when summer ends!

For more information about VDBA Connections, or to make comments/suggestions, email feedback@vdba.virginia.gov