An event geared toward helping small businesses will be returning for the second year in a row this month.
The 2023 Small Business Opportunity Forum will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16 at the Northwest Branch Library located at 2410 Philadelphia Drive in Dayton. Registration for the event will open at 8:30 a.m. and admission is free.
The event will be presented by the Dayton Human Relations Council and will continue to offer local businesses a chance to meet decision makers, learn about and apply for certification at the city, state and federal levels, and network with prime contractors, City of Dayton departments and community partners.
The highlight of the forum will be a presentation by the Business and Technical Assistance team’s new partner, Mastercard. Mastercard will be giving away free square point of sale devices and providing tutorials for any businesses attending the forum. The HRC’s Business and Technical Assistance team is partnering with Mastercard to roll out a free Digital Doors cohort for 2023 designed to help businesses become more effective online marketers.
The forum will also allow small business owner to learn about construction projects and goods and services acquired by city departments and programs including public works, planning and development, water and aviation. These departments will introduce upcoming construction projects and procurement opportunities.
In addition, the Business and Technical Assistance Center will also share information on their signature outreach engagement event, the 2023 “Passport to Success Program.” This monthly event is designed to work with small businesses in a variety of areas to expand the capacity building opportunities for underrepresented groups to ensure their success.
Monthly workshop topics include business management counseling; completing federal, state, and local certification applications; contract procurement assistance; estimating and bidding assistance; marketing plan development; and referrals to financial assistance programs.
Those interested in attending the forum can register here.
