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The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VIEDA) will participate in the “Women in Business Expo 2022” on May 5 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. during the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week 2022. This in-person expo will be held at the V.I. Small Business Development Center (VISBDC) Training Facility at 8666 Lindberg Drive, St. Thomas, USVI 00802 (The former location of the West Bay Supermarket in the direction towards the University of the Virgin Islands).

The VIEDA and representatives of women-owned businesses will be available as vendors with booths to share information about their programs, services and resources at this one-day expo. This expo will also provide networking opportunities for vendors to build and expand their network by connecting with prospective customers, women entrepreneurs, community leaders and professionals within the business community.

VIEDA is also encouraging women business owners in the community to register for the Women Business Expo by emailing swilliams@greaterexplorationtours.com or calling 340)-227-4992 for more information.

During the U.S. SBA National Small Business Week, the VIEDA will launch a series of videos that will highlight locally-filmed VIEDA-client stories along with a series of 30-second business tips. These videos can be viewed across VIEDA’s social media, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, & Twitter and website www.usvieda.org starting May 2.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, National Small Business Week has been celebrated by the U.S. SBA for more than 50 years recognizing “the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.” The National Small Business Week Virtual Summit will be held from May 2-5.

For more information on the “Women in Business Expo”, send an email to swilliams@greaterexplorationtours.com. To learn more about the VIEDA, its programs and services, visit www.usvieda.org. Get the latest National Small Business Week news at www.sba.gov/nsbw/media.

Economic Development Week was created by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in 2016. To increase awareness of local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and improve communities’ quality of life everywhere, we have continued the tradition. Over the last six years, 450+ campaigns have been made throughout the United States and Canada. EDOs have created millions of impressions, hundreds of news stories, blog entries, videos, events and other activities. Campaigns occurred in all 50 American states in 2019, with more than 60 communities officially proclaiming Economic Development Week.

Join the VIEDA May 9-13 as we highlight economic developers throughout the territory all week long and other virtual events. Also learn about how Vision 2040, the 20-year economic plan for the territory is being used to grow, diversify and create a resilient economy in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Stay updated for this virtual celebration and click "Going" and/or "Interested"! More events coming soon. #EconDevWeek22

Government Contracting in the USVI STT on May 3 at 8:30 a.m. In-person events to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses highlight the resources available to identify, apply, and compete for local and federal government contracts. Partcipating agencies include UVI, SBA, US EDA, VI P&P, VIHFA, FEMA, and Congresswoman Plaskett's Office. Register here.
Women's Expo 2022 -Power of The Pack: Supporting Women Business Owners on May 5 at 10 a.m. Held during SBA National Small Business Week, this one-day Expo will include Virgin Islands women-owned business vendors, business resources, and networking opportunities as well as local VI SBDC awards for businesses of the year. Vendors build and expand your network by connecting with prospective customers, connect with fellow businesswomen, community leaders, and business professionals giving your business broad and long-lasting exposure. Register here.
SBA Webinar Tuesday: Government Contracting 101 with VI SBDC on May 10 at 11 a.m. We help you understand the federal contracting process, so you can find and win contracts with the federal government. Join SBA PR/USVI District Office Representatives as they share this information. Register here.
USVI Financial Literacy Series: Accounting 101 on May 12 at 11 a.m. with VI SBDC. Learn basic bookkeeping knowledge so you can: Understand basic accounting terminology; Identify the differences between the cash and accrual accounting methods; Keep track of your business by becoming familiar with accounts payable and receivables; Use a journal and general ledger to document business financials; Utilize the balance sheet; Identify different types of financial statements; Understand the payroll process and employer responsibilities; Uncover the reasons for and actually create a budget; and become familiar with internal and external auditing. Listen as a financial professional from FirstBank explains the basics you should know about accounting. A question and answer segment is inlcuded. Presenter: Valdamier Collens, SVP & USVI Business Director. Register here.
USVI Financial Literacy Series: Applying for a Business Loan on May 19 at 11 a.m. with VI SBDC. How do you build excellent business credit? What are lenders looking for when providing funding? What’s the importance of a business plan? All of these are important questions that you have probably considered at some point while starting or growing your business. Join this webinar and learn from a Banking professional the steps you need to take to obtain funding. Hear about the significance of a business plan as well as the five “Cs” of credit and the importance of building both excellent business credit as well as maintaining good personal credit. A question and answer segment is inlcuded. Presenter: Sharmane Brookes, VP & Commercial Business Mgr. & FB Commercial Lending Team. Register here.
USVI Business Resiliency Series: Effective Marketing in 2022 with VI SBDC on May 20 at 11 a.m. Are you able to identify the difference between traditional marketing vs social media presence? Learn the essentials of advertising locally to stay in business. Topics to be discussed include networking, estabishing online presence, basic web design, managing multiple social media platforms at once and the overall impact of effective marketing. Register here.
SBA Webinar Tuesday: Disaster Preparedness with VI SBDC on May 24 at 11 a.m. Get help, plans and templates to prepare for natural disasters, to ensure business continuity in times of uncertainty. Join SBA PR/USVI District Office Representatives as they share this information. Register here.
Financial Literacy Series: Fundamentals of Credit on May 26 at 11 a.m. with VI SBDC. Credit – what is credit? How do we use it? It is important to understand the benefit and responsibilities of credit and how to manage it wisely. Listen as a financial professional from FirstBank explains how to use credit in a safe and responsible way and the impact it has on your financial future. These tips and best practices can guide you in the right direction towards healthy credit. A question and answer segment is included. Presenter: Sharmane Brookes, VP & Commercial Business Mgr. & FB Commercial Lending Team. Register here.
2022 USVI Entrepreneurial Series - Strategic Planning: The Key to Success on June 1 at 11 a.m. Join us for a FREE Entrepreneurial Workshop hosted by AARP in The Virgin Islands in collaboration with VI SBDC. You will learn from small business experts the steps to start and grow a successful small business. A strategic plan is critical to the success of an individual or an organization because it guides their action plan. This webinar is designed to help business owners and potential business owners create an action-oriented strategic plan for their business/business idea to help them achieve success. Attendees will learn techniques about and review examples of the three major sections of a strategic plan. Registration is required to obtain the link to log in to the event. This event is FREE and open to the general public 18 years of age and older. The workshops will be held virtually on Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Register here.
SBA Webinar Tuesday: HUBZone Certification with VI SBDC on June 7 at 11 a.m. Did you know that the USVI is a designated HUBZone? The HUBZone program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year. Join SBA PR/USVI District Office Representatives as they share this information. Register here.
2022 USVI Entrepreneurial Series: Registering Your Business Name on June 8 at 11 a.m. Join us for a FREE Entrepreneurial Workshop hosted by AARP in The Virgin Islands in collaboration with VI SBDC. You will learn from small business experts the steps to start and grow a successful small business. In addition to having a business license and filing your tax returns there is an additional step to being in good standing with your business obligations. Ms. Denise Johannes, Director of the Division of Corporations and Trademarks, Office of the Lt. Governor will discuss the who, what, where, when and how to keep your business in good standing. After the presentation there will be a time for questions and answers. Registration is required to obtain the link to log in to the event. This event is FREE and open to the general public 18 years of age and older. The workshops will be held virtually on Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Register here.
2022 USVI Entrepreneurial Series: Becoming an Employer: Registering Your Business with the VIDOL on June 15 at 11 a.m. Join us for a FREE Entrepreneurial Workshop hosted by AARP in The Virgin Islands in collaboration with VI SBDC. You will learn from small business experts the steps to start and grow a successful small business. Join the VI Department of Labor as they teach small business owners how to transition from being an employee to becoming an employer. Learn how to post job vacancies, fair employment, providing a safe working environment, and the resources available for employers at the VIDOL. After the presentation there will be a time for questions and answers. Registration is required to obtain the link to log in to the event. This event is FREE and open to the general public 18 years of age and older. The workshops will be held virtually on Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Register here.
SBA Webinar Tuesday: Deep Dive into Learning Resources from www.sba.gov with VI SBDC on June 21 at 11 a.m. SBA's online learning programs are designed to empower and educate small business owners every step of the way. Learn more about ASCENT, Boots to Business and Emerging Leaders, among others. Join SBA PR/USVI District Office Representatives as they share this information. Register here.
2022 USVI Entrepreneurial Series: DLCA: USVI Small Business Licensing Process on June 22 at 11 a.m. Join us for a FREE Entrepreneurial Workshop hosted by AARP in The Virgin Islands in collaboration with VI SBDC. Join the VIDLCA as they educate small business owners on the new "General Business License" that the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) has instituted to facilitate a new business getting started in the Virgin Islands. Learn what requirements, applications and processes a small business owner needs to be aware of when connecting to the VIDLCA for a business license or a renewal of the business license. The DLCA staff will enlighten you on the streamlined and electronic forms of submission. Come prepared to get your questions answered. Registration is required to obtain the link to log in to the event. This event is FREE and open to the general public 18 years of age and older. The workshops will be held virtually on Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Register here.
2022 USVI Entrepreneurial Series: Understanding the Basics of Continuity on June 29 at 11a.m. Join us for a FREE Entrepreneurial Workshop hosted by AARP in The Virgin Islands in collaboration with VI SBDC. Join the VI SBDC Advisor, Raymond V. Henry to discuss business resiliency. Small business owners should always evaluate risk, have a plan and implement the plan to stay in business. Learn the basics to quickly adapt to disruptions while maintaining continuous operations and safeguarding people, assets and overall brand loyalty. There will be a question-and-answer segment. Registration is required to obtain the link to log in to the event. This event is FREE and open to the general public 18 years of age and older. The workshops will be held virtually on Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Register here.

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