All Calendar Events

The Federal Government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world. Interested in learning how to research and create a marketing strategy
to pursue federal government contracts?

• Historical and Forecast Data Searches: FPDS (Federal Procurement Data Systems), USAspending.Gov, FBF.gov and other GSA Tools, SAM.gov
• Identifying your Government Marketing Network: Target Federal Agencies and Potential
• Private Sector Partners for subcontracting
• Creating Government Marketing Action Steps

Presenter: Natasa Borcanin

Natasa Borcanin possesses 25 years combined experience in Government Contracting, small business ownership, international development, human resource management and retail real estate leasing and management. It is exactly this mix of experience that makes Natasa effective in her current role as a Business Opportunity specialist with SBA at the Eastern Pennsylvania District Office. Borcanin formerly worked as a Program Manager of a DOD OSBP-funded APEX Accelerator (PTAC) program assisting small business navigate government market. Natasa also has years of consulting experience with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) projects in numerous developing countries building and training teams offering economic and social assistance implementing sustainable initiatives that improved living conditions to many communities. Borcanin holds a Master’s degree from University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s from Millersville University.

Click here to register.

Many creatives struggle to understand how to turn their passions into profit. In this session, you’ll learn about the fundamentals of starting your creative business, basic business planning, difference between being a sole proprietor or having a business entity, understanding legal and tax requirements, and income and expenses. It is an ideal webinar for applicants for the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator program to start with their business plans.

Presenter: Erika Tapp Duran

Erika Tapp Duran, a Temple SBDC advisor, will be presenting this webinar. Erika provides consulting services to pre-venture and start-up businesses as well as teaching the center’s business planning courses. Erika is also part of the faculty of the Social Enterprise Program at the Villanova School of Business working with teams of students providing pro bono consulting for social enterprises. She came to Temple with a decade of experience in community and economic development in Philadelphia. Erika earned her EMBA at Villanova University, her MA at the University of Pennsylvania, and BArch at Cornell University.

Click here to register.

If you’re currently thinking about entrepreneurship for the first time or you’re an established business owner, the BRIC has resources to help support your current needs. Learn how BRIC's extensive digital resources can help your business start, grow, and thrive! Join a business librarian in this virtual session for an introduction to BRIC's business databases and services, plus, learn how to book a librarian!

All resources are accessible remotely with your Free Library of Philadelphia library card number and PIN. Don't have a library card? Get one here: https://catalog.freelibrary.org/MyResearch/register

Attendees will be able to:
- Review research database options
- Learn how to generate sales leads, conduct a competitive analysis, and start demographic research
- Discover free resources, such as sample business plans, online courses, & more

Target Audience:
- Budding Entrepreneurs
- Start-up Small Businesses
- Philadelphia residents

Presenter: Lonnie Johnson
Librarian Supervisor 1, Business Resource and Innovation Center

Lonnie Johnson is a Librarian Supervisor at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC). With a background in accounting and extensive experience as a business librarian, Lonnie specializes in assisting patrons with business plan development, focusing on industry research, market analysis, and competitive insights. Through one-on-one consultations—both in person and via Zoom—Lonnie helps entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate the complexities of business planning. Additionally, Lonnie oversees a diverse range of business-related programming, covering topics such as business formation, taxation, and financial literacy, ensuring the public has access to essential resources for success.

Click here to register.

The Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) offers Business Development Workshops to empower minority-, women-, and disabled-owned businesses (M/W/DSBEs) with the skills, resources, and knowledge needed to thrive in Philadelphia's competitive business environment. These workshops focus on:

• Enhancing business capacity and readiness for growth opportunities.
• Providing guidance on City contracts, procurement processes, and certification.
• Delivering industry insights and best practices to help businesses succeed.
• Offering networking opportunities with City agencies, prime contractors, and business leaders.

OEO's Business Development Workshops are designed to foster economic inclusion by equipping businesses with the tools they need to expand, secure contracts, and contribute to Philadelphia's vibrant economy.

The DBE Certification Workshop provides businesses with a comprehensive understanding of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification process and its benefits. This workshop equips business owners with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve DBE certification, expand their market reach, and access new opportunities for business success.

Register for this workshop. 

Join the Department of Commerce, for our Coffee and Commerce event series! These events are designed to empower the growth of businesses with resources, knowledge and connections. Each session offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and specialists on key topics that will help them start, operate, and grow their businesses in Philadelphia.

Join us for an informative session on Safety Essentials and Crime Prevention for Businesses. This event will cover essential topics, including effective security strategies and practical crime prevention measures. Our panelists will share valuable insights on how businesses can protect themselves, provide critical tips for responding to incidents like burglary or theft, and offer public safety resources, including trauma-informed care. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover how strong partnerships between businesses and safety enforcement can create a safer Philadelphia for all.

Topic: Safety Essentials and Crime Prevention for Businesses

Moderator: Camille Simpkins, Relationship Manager, PIDC

Panelists:

• Myesha Massey, Deputy Commissioner, Community Partnerships, Philadelphia Police Department
• Neftali Ramos, Director of Kensington Coordination
• Pedro Rosario, Deputy Police Commissioner, Philadelphia Police Department
• Pedro Rodriquez, Inspector - Training and Education Services
• Michael P Cram, Deputy Commissioner, Patrol Operations, Philadelphia Police Department
• Adam Geer, Chief Public Safety Director, Office of Public Safety

As artificial intelligence (AI) changes many industries, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) need to adjust to make the most of it. This webinar is designed to help SMB owners and IT managers integrate AI technologies into their operations.

In this session, we will dive into how high-performance workstations can power AI applications that drive efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage. We'll discuss the critical role of workstations in running AI models effectively, including machine learning and deep learning processes, that enhance decision-making and operational efficiencies. 

Attendees will learn about the different types of AI workloads, the specific hardware requirements for each, and practical steps to implement AI solutions within their current infrastructure.

• Understanding AI and Its Impact on SMBs
• Implementing AI in Your Business
• Choosing the Right Workstation for AI Tasks
• Scaling AI Solutions as Your Business Grows