Featured Events
Marketing Your Business - Webinar
Wednesday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Does your marketing strategy target your greatest opportunities for increases sales and achieving a competitive advantage? There is much more to marketing than having a couple of social media accounts and an email newsletter. In this webinar, we’ll discuss market analysis and research, competitive analysis and position, as well as product price, placement, and promotion, and finish up with strategy implementation. We have reserved 20 minutes for a live question and answer session, in which one of our certified small business consultants will answer questions from the audience on a first come, first served basis. After the webinar, you will receive a copy of the webinar recording, as well as sample business plan templates, and other resources.
Location: Webinar
How to Write a Customer-Focused Proposal
Thursday, June 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This course is designed to provide an in-depth overview of the process for finding, assessing, and writing customer-focused proposals. You will learn strategies for differentiating your company and building a proposal that demonstrates the best value based on specific evaluation criteria the government expects you to meet. If you are new to the government marketplace, applying the tips and strategies discussed in this course will help you land your first government contract. If you have already won your first contract but are looking to improve your win rate and gain a more competitive edge, this course will also provide you with a behind the scenes look at the review process to help you better understand the mindset of government buyers. Here is a summary of what you ll learn: How to best find attractive opportunities for your company to pursue and win. Solicitation analysis techniques and navigating the Uniform Contract Format (UCF). How to build and use go/no-go evaluation considerations. How the government will evaluate your proposal. Tips for writing a customer-focused proposal while avoiding fluff and puff. Who is the target audience? New contractors seeking to better understand the process of writing proposals in response to federal solicitations. Active contractors who are looking for a way to better understand what the government is looking for, and how to give it to them in an effort to win more contracts. Novice proposal writers looking to sharpen the saw and hone their skills.
Location: Macomb Community College, MTEC, 7900 Tank Ave., Room 138, Warren
Starting a Business
Thursday, June 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Attend this seminar if you want to turn your idea into a successful business. TOPICS INCLUDE: • Assessing your readiness for entrepreneurship • Evaluating market potential for your products or services • Sources of financing • Legal structure options • Taxes, licensing and insurance • Marketing and sales • Determining start-up costs and operating expenses • Introduction to writing a business plan
Location: Macomb-OU Incubator, Velocity Collaboration Center, 6633 18 Mile Road, Sterling Heights
Orleans Sports Cafe Member Mixer
Friday, June 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Please join us at Orleans Sports Cafe for a member mixer! Come network with fellow chamber members and build long-lasting relationships. This is a FREE event, but registration is appreciated to reserve your spot!
Location: Orleans Sports Cafe, 100 Macomb Street, Mount Clemens
Small Business, Big Threat Protect Your Non-Tech Business From Data Breach Disasters - Webinar
Tuesday, June 25 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Do you have a technology plan to prepare for the worst? Join us as we discuss how to be prepared for a data breach and what to do after you experience one. We’ll walk you through a quick-paced webinar, ask a few poll questions of the audience, and give you time for question and answer with the Michigan SBDC’s Cyber Security Awareness Program Specialist, Scott Taber. You'll leave the webinar with: 1. Easy to understand examples of these tips and tricks 2. Explanations of why these topics matter for your small business 3. Key steps you can easily implement in your small business
Location: Webinar
Medical Main Street: Cyber Security Hacks in Health Care – Protecting Your Health Data
Wednesday, June 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Data breaches cost the health care industry over $5 billion every year* as well as immeasurable impact on consumer confidence. Cyber attackers continue to develop more sophisticated ways to attack health care information and gain access to private data. Hear from cyber security experts on how you can mitigate security threats to your organization’s medical information, defend your network perimeter and keep cyber criminals away.
Location: Velocity Collaboration Center, 6633 18 Mile Road, Sterling Heights
Happy Hour Panel: Young Entrepreneurs in Sterling Heights
Wednesday, June 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The City of Sterling Heights and Metromode invite you to join us for a Happy Hour Panel, featuring young entrepreneurs. Mark D’Andreta, president of TD Industrial Coverings (TDIC), will serve as the moderator. Featured Speakers: - Patty Lopez, president, Rose-A-Lee Technologies - Dunkan Walker, GM, Universal-Macomb Ambulance Service - Ed Brandt, president, Systematic Manufacturing Topic: What attracts young entrepreneurs to Sterling Heights?
Location: Art & Jake's Sports Bar Sterling Heights, 44899 Mound Rd., Sterling Heights
SBA & MI SBDC presents: What The Heck Are Data Protection Policies? - Webinar
Thursday, June 27 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Do you have essential data protection policies in place for your small business? Join us as we discuss the importance of data protection policies and how they protect your business. We’ll walk you through a quick-paced webinar, ask a few poll questions of the audience, and give you time for question and answer with the Michigan SBDC’s Cyber Security Awareness Program Specialist, Scott Taber. You'll leave the webinar with: 1. Easy to understand examples of these tips and tricks 2. Explanations of why these topics matter for your small business 3. Key steps you can easily implement in your small business
Location: Webinar
Introduction to Federal Government Contracting - 101
Thursday, July 11 from 9 a.m. to 12:30
Introduction to Federal Government Contracting - 101 The federal government purchased in FY 2017 approximately $501 billion dollars of goods and services. If you re interested in diversifying your business into the federal government marketplace, find out what you need to do to get started. You will learn about the services and continuous support the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) has available to help your company with the contracting process. Additional Topics to be covered are: Overview of PTAC Initial Considerations Getting Registered Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Programs Certifications Doing Business with the Federal Government Finding Opportunities Contract Administration Where do I go from here? WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Management and key players who will support and facilitate government contracting within your company. Please Note: To register for this training your company must be located in Macomb County.
Location: Macomb Community College, MTEC, 7900 Tank Ave., Room 138, Warren
Discount Ticket Night at Jimmy John's Field
Thursday, July 11 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Join us at Jimmy John's Field in Utica for a night of baseball, dinner and networking! The Unicorns vs. the Beavers will throw the first pitch at 7:05 p.m. Arrive by 6:00 p.m. to check-in. (Pavilion Section Seating) Enjoy a BBQ Buffet from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. A group photo will take place approximately 6:30 p.m. Friends and Families are welcome to join the fun! Tickets must be purchased prior!
Location: Jimmy John's Field, 7171 Auburn Road, Utica
Cyber Security Workshop Training DFARS 204.73 / NIST SP 800-171
Tuesday, July 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Northrop Grumman, in collaboration with the USC Center for Economic Development, is offering free cybersecurity training to small businesses through an Air Force Small Business Office Mentor Protégé Program. This workshop is open to all small businesses. Advance registration is required.
Location: State of Michigan Historical Library (or Online), 702 W Kalamazoo St., Lansing
Coffee Connection - Crest Collision Center
Thursday, July 18 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Join us for a coffee connection at Crest Collision Center to network and check out the wonderful benefits available to Macomb Chamber Members through Crest.
Location: 35850 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights
Prospecting for Federal Opportunities - 301
Thursday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to 12:30
Selling to the federal government can provide significant revenues for to small businesses, but it can be very time consuming trying to figure out where to find them, and how to identify the ones that are a good match for your business. This training will teach you how to find and identify those opportunities that match your businesses capabilities in a resourceful manner. This training session will take place in a computer lab and provide you with tools on how to search for, and recognize opportunities in a more efficient manner. In this training, you will be able to access various federal government e-procurement websites such as FBO, and experience searching for opportunities, as well as how to utilize FBO s advanced features to your benefit. We will also discuss and view other federal agencies e-procurement websites as well as PTACS BidMatch Service, and SBA s SUB Net Database. Furthermore, we will discuss various contracts, methods and competition types. Finally, we will end the training session with reviewing a solicitation and how to make that bid no bid decision. Prerequisite: Government Contracting 101 and 201. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Management and key players who will support and facilitate government contracting within your company.
Location: Macomb Community College, MTEC, 7900 Tank Ave., Room 123, Warren
Starting a Business
Thursday, July 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Attend this seminar if you want to turn your idea into a successful business. TOPICS INCLUDE: • Assessing your readiness for entrepreneurship • Evaluating market potential for your products or services • Sources of financing • Legal structure options • Taxes, licensing and insurance • Marketing and sales • Determining start-up costs and operating expenses • Introduction to writing a business plan
Location: Macomb County Planning and Economic Development, 1 South Main St., 7th Floor, Mt. Clemens
State of Shelby Township 2019
Friday, July 19 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Join us for the "State of Shelby Township" as Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis offers a comprehensive look at what wonderful things are happening in his community.
Location: Eisenhower High School- Performing Arts Center, 6500 25 Mile Rd., Shelby Township
Meet the Micro Buyers at Selfridge
Wednesday, July 24 from 9 a.m. to noon
In August of 2018 the Department of Defense raised the micro-purchase threshold for supplies to $10,000. A micro-purchase is a purchase for goods. It has minimal competitive procedures, including small business set asides. Micro Purchases can be awarded without soliciting competitive price quotations if the price is reasonable. Macomb Regional PTAC is excited to offer this event focused on micro-purchase buying at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. At this event, you will learn more about micro-purchases buys and have an opportunity to market your business to the micro buyers at Selfridge by participating in 15-minute speed dating sessions. Please bring plenty of business cards and up-to-date capability statements. No fee to attend, but all attendees are required to register. Please fill out all the required information on the registration page. Without supplying this information, you will not be cleared for access to the base. No walk-ins will be allowed the day of due to the requirement of pre-authorization by SANGB. REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON JULY 15, 2019 COB TO ALLOW TIME FOR SANGB TO PRE-AUTHORIZE ATTENDEES.
Location: Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Harrison Charter Twp., Chesterfield