Conferences & Events
Business Law Foundations Webinar Series
Next Webinar is September 27th, 2023 | Virtual
Join Philly VIP and MZA Legal for a series of webinars on business law basics. Learn more about business entities, contracts, intellectual property, and licensing.
Register Here
Do you have questions on SBA services, resources and programs?
Bi-monthly exclusive virtual Q&A sessions | Virtual
The U.S. Small Business Administration Eastern Pennsylvania District Office invites entrepreneurs and small businesses to bi-monthly exclusive virtual Q&A sessions focusing on the various services, resources and programs offered by SBA.
Whether you’re starting a business, growing a business, or in recovery mode, we can offer guidance on our Resource Partner Network, loan programs, government contracting and certifications, and more! The SBA Eastern Pennsylvania team is here to help answer your questions live. The sessions are not recorded.
- What: Q&A with the SBA
- Where: Virtual live event via Microsoft Teams Platform or Phone Call
- When: Occurs the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month
- Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Cost: No-cost session
RSVP here.
PHL’s Annual Business Opportunity Forum
September 26th, 2023 | 8:30 AM – Noon at PHL Airport Marriott
The Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) invites you to our Annual Business Opportunity Forum. This year, we are pleased to announce that the Forum is returning to its interactive, in-person format on September 26, 2023 at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott.
Here’s what you can anticipate:
- Meet PHL’s new CEO
- Discover new initiatives led by PHL
- Gain insights into upcoming contract opportunities
- Learn about our diversity goals and how they align with your business
- Engage in meaningful networking with PHL leadership team members
- Connect with partners, peers, and resource organizations who can fuel your growth
Expand Your horizons, Grow Your Business. Register Here.
Business Inclusion Micro-Conference: Advancing Inclusion
Friday, September 29th, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Highmark Health HQ, Pittsburgh, PA
Come be a part of our region’s premier diverse supplier development event. Meet procurement leaders, obtain world-class industry knowledge on how to better succeed in business, participate in matchmaking and be inspired and motivated by our presenters and panelists.
Register here.
Caesars Entertainment Economic Equity Tour
October 5th, 2023 | 8:30 AM – Noon | Harrah’s Philadelphia, Chester, PA
Caesars Entertainment and Caesars Foundation’s goal is to empower and strengthen its commitment to its communities with the Economic Equity Tour & Academy.
The EET Academy and live events are designed to provide meaningful, impactful education, resources, networking and skill development to members of the local communities in which Caesars Entertainment operates.
The Economic Equity Tour and Academy is mission aligned with Caesar’s People, Planet, Play focus on impacting economies, people, society and the environment.
Learn more about who should attend and reserve your spot for free here.
Small Business Empowerment Summit
October 5th-6th, 2023 | Hilton Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA
Join us for the Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities’ (BDISBO) first annual Small Business Empowerment Summit! This event is a forum for collaboration, discussion, and interaction between Commonwealth of PA agencies, elected officials, vendors, and the small business community. Small businesses who attend the Empowerment Summit will gain a better understanding of Commonwealth procurement opportunities as well as resources to access capital to launch, grow, and increase capacity.
The Empowerment Summit will feature panel discussions, agency engagement, networking opportunities, and keynote speakers. A special focus will be placed on the barriers that encumber small businesses from securing contracts with the Commonwealth. In the coming weeks, BDISBO will share a schedule of events, speaker bios, attendee list and other registration and lodging materials.
Space is limited. RSVP here.
SBA Presents: SBA Business Smart Entrepreneurship Series
Begins October 4th, 2023 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Virtual
Whether you’re a maker or creator, involved in tech, or pursuing your passion delivering a product or service, SBA can help entrepreneurs start and grow. Join our no-cost virtual Fall SBA Business Smart Entrepreneur Series. We’ll start by discussing home-based businesses and then expand to generating a business plan and becoming credit ready. The Business Smart series concludes with marketing campaigns for the holiday season.
- Starting a Home-Based Business – Wednesday, October 4 – Most entrepreneurs start with a home-based business that creates, delivers, or improves on a product or service. Register here.
- Business Smart Toolkit: Ready, Set & Go! Module 1 – Wednesday, October 11 – Business Smart Toolkit Module 1 helps new and aspiring entrepreneurs launch a business idea by understanding the 10 steps to start a business. Register here.
- Business Smart Toolkit: Ready, Set & Go! Module 2 – Wednesday, October 18 – Business Smart Toolkit Module 2 helps entrepreneurs understand credit-ready essentials, financing options, and loan requirements. Register here.
- Holiday Marketing For Your Business – Wednesday, October 25 – Get marketing tips for 5 holiday marketing campaigns between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday. Register here.
SBA Presents: OSHA Webinar Series – A Safe Business is a
Successful Business
October 5th, 2023 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Virtual
This webinar series is designed to reach small business owners across the country with regionally focused conversations connecting them to OSHA resources and to improve their OSHA workplace safety compliance.
The program will focus on the following areas: OSHA regulations, compliance resources such as existing small business compliance guides, digital tools, and other free resources to allow small business owners to be safety leaders with their employees, more successful and statistically more profitable.
The series of 5 webinars is offered Thursdays from 12pm to 1pm ET via Microsoft Teams. Registration to each free webinar will be limited to the first 150 participants.
View the entire series and register for the series or individual webinars here.
SBA Presents: Money Smart Entrepreneurship Series
Begins November 1st, 2023 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Virtual
Are you Money Smart? SBA can help aspiring and existing entrepreneurs Get Financially Fit in 6 weeks. Join our no-cost virtual Fall SBA Money Smart Entrepreneur Series. We’ll discuss the financial basics of starting, growing, and exiting a business.
- Banking Services – Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – Register here
- Time Management – Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – Register here
- Financial Management – Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – Register here
- Risk Management – Wednesday, November 29, 2023 – Register here
- Managing Cash Flow – Wednesday, December 6, 2023 – Register here
- Selling Your Business & Succession on Planning – Wednesday, December 13, 2023 – Register here
Food Symposium and Resource Fair for Diverse Business Owners
October 7, 2023 | 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM at Community College of Philadelphia
Join VestedIn and “Savor Success”! Dishing out a delectable spread of opportunities and resources for small diverse food and beverage business owners who desire to scale-up by selling, distributing and providing food products to large organizations and events.
Register Here
Doing Business with the PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE)
October 16, 2023 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM | West Chester University, West Chester, PA
You’re invited to attend this “meet the buyers” of PASSHE event held at West Chester University of PA. Please note, this event is not intended for architectural & engineering firms, food service providers or vending companies. Space is limited to 100 guests per session. Please register for one of the sessions by October 2nd.
Register Here
Registration is open! SHARE Pittsburgh Event at River’s Casino
October 18, 2023 | 2:30 – 6:30 PM at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, PA
You are invited to attend SHARE 2023 in Pittsburgh, a MWDBE Supplier and corporate buyer matchmaker. SHARE PITTSBURGH 2023 will be IN-PERSON ONLY. Please join us and experience Western Pennsylvania’s top economic engines and community organizations coming together for the 10th ANNUAL SHARE 2023 Pittsburgh!
Bringing together the region’s top corporations and institutions, connecting them with Diverse suppliers to expand opportunities and increase growth for the region’s businesses.
Learn More and Register Here
Allstate Business Diversity Summit
November 13-17, 2023 | Virtual
Join Allstate (virtually) at the 2023 Allstate Business Diversity Summit: Leading by Example: Accelerating Impact in the Community, November 13-17. They will have interactive and thought-provoking sessions with Allstate colleagues, other Fortune 500 corporate executives and leading business diversity experts who will discuss opportunities for corporations, minority-owned businesses, and minority business councils to work together to create economic impact for our respective businesses and our communities.
Register Here
Grants, Scholarships & Programs
Support the Girls Inc. 2023 Online Auction
The Girls Inc. mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. They deliver research-based programs on healthy decision making, academic enrichment and life skills to thousands of girls and young women each year. The participants live in the region’s most under-resourced communities and participate in the programs free of charge.
Between November 9th and Nov 17th, 2023, they will host an online auction to raise funds to support their mission. In order to make this event a true triumph, we want to ask for your help.
Would you be willing to donate items, services, or experiences to help their cause?
The auction will be viewed by thousands of people and they will link to your website and promote your organization and donation. So, your donation will both support Girls, Inc. and provide a great marketing opportunity for you! plus, they are a nonprofit 501c3, and your contribution should qualify as a charitable deduction for income tax purposes.
Learn more at girlsincpa-nj.org
Philadelphia Business Lending Network Incentive Grant
Grow your business with a simplified process of applying for loans! The Philadelphia Business Lending Network (PBLN) is a service that enables business owners to express interest in financing to a group of nonprofit lenders, for profit lenders, and other funders with one form.
Industry Specializations are training programs, built by leading universities, to help you develop additional expertise and unlock job opportunities in high-growth industries. After completing a Google Data Analytics, IT Support, or Project Management Certificate, you can build on your skills and take the next step in your career with a Specialization from Columbia Engineering, the University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Michigan, or Arizona State University.
Business Opportunities & RFPs
Invitation for Proposals
The Montgomery County Housing Authority (MCHA) will receive proposals electronically via the PennBid Program (www.PennBid.net) for Full Service Elevator Maintenance of Nine (9) Vertical Transportations Systems at five of MCHA developments located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, until 2:00 P.M., prevailing time on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023, at which time, the proposals will be opened. MCHA will only accept proposals submitted electronically via the PennBid Program.
A non-mandatory, Pre-Proposal Meeting is scheduled for 9:00 A.M., prevailing time on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023 at Robert P. Smith Towers, 501 East High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464. Site visits will immediately follow. The Montgomery County Housing Authority reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bidding when, in the opinion of the MCHA, such rejections or waivers shall be to its interest or advantage.
Avendra Group constantly seeks to develop and expand business relationships
If you are interested in being considered as a prospective supplier, we encourage you to read and fill out the Prospective Supplier Form. Please note that taking part in this process does not guarantee your company will become a contracted supplier. Filling out the Prospective Supplier Form registers your company’s name and information into our database of potential suppliers. Completion of this prospective supplier form will allow your company’s information to be searchable by our Strategic Sourcing team during planned Category Reviews.
Register/Read More Here
Call for Web Quality Assurance and Accessibility Tool
The Philadelphia Business Lending Network Incentive Grant
The Philadelphia Business Lending Network simplifies the process of applying for loans. It is a group of nonprofit lenders, for profit lenders, and other funders who work together with the Philadelphia Department of Commerce to improve access to capital for businesses throughout Philadelphia. The Commerce Department has launched a Philadelphia Business Lending Network Incentive Grant to increase access to capital for Philadelphia’s small businesses. Read more below to apply and find out if you qualify.
Read more here
Posting Guidelines
- Posts are accepted for procurement opportunities from Supplier Diversity Corporate/Council Members in good standing.
- Posts are accepted for procurement opportunities for WBE-to-WBE spend by WBEs in good standing.
- The description and link will be added within four business days of receipt.
