What's Happening in Stafford, Virginia |
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We're thrilled to welcome you to the latest edition of our monthly newsletter, "What's Happening in Stafford VA." This communication serves as your go-to source for staying in the loop on all the exciting developments, programs, resources, and opportunities within the vibrant Stafford region. Whether you're a local business owner, a dedicated professional, or simply an enthusiast of all things Stafford, our newsletter is tailored to inform and inspire you. Get ready to discover the latest news, network with like-minded individuals, and unlock the incredible potential this dynamic community has to offer. We invite you to dive in, stay engaged, and make the most of the opportunities that Stafford, VA has in store for you.
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Business Environment Survey We value your input! |
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The Stafford County Department of Economic Development, in collaboration with the University of Mary Washington, is conducting a survey to gather insights on the business environment in Stafford County. Your input will play a crucial role in shaping the future business retention and expansion program, ultimately benefiting local businesses. The survey is expected to take around 10 minutes to complete. We value your feedback, as it will aid in designing and enhancing programs for existing businesses, empowering them to achieve their utmost potential.
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WINE & BUSINESS is BACK! November 16, 2023 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Potomac Point Winery |
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Get to know your local business community through the Beer & Business Networking Series!
The Stafford Beer & Business Series is a quarterly outing provided by the Stafford County Economic Development Authority. These events are designed to connect local professionals across all markets at our local Stafford breweries and winery. In addition to networking, each Beer & Business outing and in this case, WINE & Business will have a brief, insightful discussion on a specific industry specific, led by a local expert.
This WINE & Business event will share insights from a local entrepreneur who turned their personal passion for boating into cash!
Come meet the crew and owner of Sunset Cruises at Potomac Point Winery during Wine & Business on November 16th, 2023, from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM.
Come and learn how to Turn Your Passion Into Cash! Wine & Business is FREE to attend, but registration is required! |
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First Thursdays with the SBA: SDVOSB/VOSB | 12:00 PM
Organizer: UMW SBDC Location: Virtual
Grab your lunch and join the SBA on the first Thursday of each month to learn more about SBA programs and network with other small business owners.
The SBA offers several programs for small businesses. This session will be on the topic of Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). The federal government aims to award at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) each year. Joining the SDVOSB program makes your business eligible to compete for the program’s set-aside contracts. You can still compete for contract awards under other socio-economic programs you qualify for. The key takeaways are: what is a SDVOSB, who is eligible for the program, and what to expect with the recent changes to the program.
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| Blue Print Business Plan Workshop | 24/7 Organizer: UMW SBDC
Location: Virtual
This four-hour workshop covers the development of the business plan and financial forecasting of the business plan. Please be prepared to begin working on your business plan during the class. We will start by opening a Microsoft Word or Google Doc for you to add information to as we proceed through the workshop. By the end of the workshop you will have completed a rough draft of a portion of the business plan and have clear direction which areas you need to conduct research and add additional information to in order to complete. Key takeaways will be: research tools, business plan components, business concept, financial plan, and supporting documents.
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RIoT Bagels & Business | 7:30 AM Organizer: RIoT
Location: Virtual
Join RIoT for their new monthly series - Bagels & Business - where we will discuss different topics related to starting a business, growing your existing business, expanding your knowledge base, and your network. Each month we will cover a different topic including customer discovery, MVP, sales, finances, goal planning, marketing, and more! |
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UMW Women’s Colloquium Monthly Coffee Talk | 8:00 AM Organizer: University of Mary Washington Women's Leadership Colloquium Location: Jepson Alumni and Executive Center This event takes place monthly, with themed discussions led by local leaders, and all are welcome.
Join us at November’s Coffee Talk as we delve into the intriguing topic of Change Management. Businesses and organizations must constantly evolve and change to meet a variety of challenges that come from changes in technology, competitors, laws, or regulations and economic trends. Many people within our organizations are reluctant to change, so it’s important to help our teams understand and embrace change. During this session, we will discuss the 4 P’s of Change Management that will help guide team members through change. November’s Coffee Talk will be led by Tina Lance, Dean of Professional & Technical Studies and Workforce Development at Germanna Community College.
Please join us in person! Networking is the best thing you can do for your own professional development! Share, learn and grow from other professionals in the Fredericksburg area. |
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UMW CPS Business Acumen Series: Executive Presence & Credibility | 9:00 AM
Organizer: UMW CPS
Location: University of Mary Washington - Stafford Campus
UMW’s Continuing and Professional Studies Department has launched a series of 1-day seminars to build leadership and business skills in the Fredericksburg region. The Stafford EDA has invested in 50 seats to the Business Acumen Series to support the Stafford Business Community with educational resources. The Executive Presence & Credibility seminar will help participants define and develop executive charisma. Participants will learn impression management techniques to increase confidence and credibility, particularly with superiors and external partners.
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Business Risk Management: Navigating Uncertainty for Success | 9:00 AM
Organizer: UMW SBDC
Location: Virtual
With the rising threat of cyber attacks, workplace violence, competition, and new regulatory and compliance requirements, business risk management has never been more important than it is today and must be an integral part of your corporate strategic planning process that contributes to the overall resilience, sustainability, and success of your business in today’s dynamic and uncertain business environment. Come join us for a 1.5 hour working lunch, business discussion and idea sharing session, on how you can identify the threats to your business, generate effective mitigation strategies, and take the necessary steps to train your workforce and build a more resilient and cohesive working environment.
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GovCon 101: Creating a Capabilities Statement | 12:00 PM
Organizer: UMW SBDC
Location: Virtual
The Federal Government buys over $600 billion per year on goods and services, 5% of that spend is allocated for Small Business. This is a huge opportunity for firms, who qualify, to grow their business and become part of the challenging world of Government Contracting through set-aside opportunities. In order to get noticed by small business offices, you must first create a winning capability statement. This is the most importing marketing piece you will create for your business. A properly formatted capability statement will help you get noticed and differentiate you from your competition. Key takeaways will be: proper formatting of the statement; information to include and not include; differentiators, core competencies, and past performance content; an editable template to use for your own capability statement; and how to use the statement.
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