Get Tactical
A New Year means a new business strategy. Get your business blueprint in gear at the 2016 Capacity Building Conference, running from March 4th to 5th at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. This premier event promises new insights and an inclusive opportunity to connection with business experts and promising ventures. Featuring local a nationally celebrate experts, this event is perfect for establishing business owners and current Broward County venders.
Be sure to get registered as a sponsor, an exhibitor or attendee at CapacityBuilding.Broward.org.
Go Global
The OESBD has made accessibility to foreign markets a priority, with tons of informative programs on how local business can maximize connections with overseas trading.
For January, there are two useful educational sessions focusing on trading with foreign-based businesses. The latest session “Florida Export Opportunities: Mexico” is set for Tuesday, January 19, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stadium Field House Hall in Central Broward Regional Parks. This session provides an overview of Mexico’s market and learn more about Enterprise Florida’s Export Development Trade Mission to Mexico City.
They will also be hosting another session called “Doing Business with the Italian Government: Healthcare Sector,” which is set for Thursday, January 21, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Broward Health Conference Room in Fort Lauderdale. Designed for medical device, pharmaceutical and information technology businesses specializing in the healthcare sector, this session provides information about the public procurement process with the Italian government and export opportunities to Italy for the healthcare and information technology sectors. Additionally, information about international collaborations and local procurement opportunities will be presented by Broward Health. This also includes a “Meet & Greet” with experts from Italy in the public procurement sector.
Get Certified
Broward County is buying! OESBD is recruiting firms for certification in business categories that provide goods and services where few firms are currently certified. Learn more and find out if your business can benefit from doing County business.
Once you get certified as a County Business Enterprise (CBE), a Small Business Enterprise (SBE), or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) learn how to take full advantage of your newfound status at the “You’re Certified: Now What?” session set for Wednesday, February 24, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development located at 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 302, Fort. Lauderdale, FL. This session will help new and previously certified firms develop a strategy to maximize their small business certifications and explore new opportunities.
Have your sights on Federal certification? The OESBD is also hosting a special session called “Completing Your Federal Certification Application,” set for Wednesday, February 10, from 3 p.m. t 4:30 p.m. at the OESBD offices in Fort Lauderdale. Learn how to complete a small business program certification application for your firm. Broward County certification team leaders will guide you through the step-by-step process to help you submit a complete application with all requested information and documentation to minimize processing time.
Get Protected
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering drought assistance for qualified small businesses. The SBA has approved an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program for areas of South Florida, including Broward County, impacted by the extreme drought as of July 7, 2015. Completed loan applications can be filed until March 15, 2016.
Give Back
Make sure your small business is contributing positively to the local economy by providing employment to The Broward County Workforce Investment Program. The Broward County Board of County Commissioners established the program to encourage local economic development by increasing potential employment opportunities for the economically disadvantaged and hard-to-hire in connection with County-funded projects of at least $500,000 in annual payments. Through the program, contractors are encouraged to work with CareerSource Broward, the Florida Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and their contract partners as a first source for the recruitment and possible employment of employees for work on County-funded projects.
