This annual professional development event highlights resources, issues, and practical concerns that artist and other creatives need to navigate as they develop and maintain their professional practice. Participants have the opportunity to hear from art professionals from the region discuss opportunities and challenges on the business side of their profession. MSSU design students will also have an opportunity to participate in a separate breakout portfolio review session.

This annual professional development event highlights resources, issues, and practical concerns that artist and other creatives need to navigate as they develop and maintain their professional practice. Participants have the opportunity to hear from art professionals from the region discuss opportunities and challenges on the business side of their profession. MSSU design students will also have an opportunity to participate in a separate breakout portfolio review session.

This training will be a demonstration of QuickBooks Desktop and how to best utilize the program and its features. This training will be a free, one hour training via Zoom. You will be sent a link to Zoom after you register for the event.

In this workshop, participants will learn about discovering their target markets and gaining a better appreciation of why businesses need to understand their customers. Participants will also learn the steps in registering their business with the federal, state and local agencies. Participants will learn the basics of understanding the importance of cash flow projections and various funding alternatives.

2024 will be here before you know it, and now is the time to prepare for growth and profits. This workshop gives participants tools to assess their current reality and where they want to be in the next three years. Assessment sheets will be sent to attendees after the program.

This roundtable forum will host three local entrepreneurs as they tell their story about their ups and downs from their experience in launching and growing their small businesses. There will be time for an open Question and Answer forum at the end.

In this workshop, participants will learn about the different platforms of social media and how to utilize those for their individual marketing needs.

Are you a small business seeking growth? Have you considered international trade? Join us for this event with guest speakers Joshua Kaplan and Rebecca Nace. Joshua Kaplan is the Office Director of the U.S. Commercial Service, Kansas City Field Office. He will be discussing the following: 1. Introduction of federal government resources available for exporters; 2. Overview of the U.S. Commercial Service Kansas City office; 3. Discussion of research tools available through the Rural Export Center; and 4. Listing of upcoming events and programs, both virtual and in-person. Becky Nace is the Assistant Director and Project Manager for the Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center. She will be discussing how to access Technical Assistance using cost share funding from the U.S Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administrations Trade Adjustment for Firms Program. This program is a no pay back, cost share funding for up to $150,000.00 in eligible projects.

Missouri exported over $469 million worth of goods and services to Japan in 2020 and Japan was the United States’ 4th largest goods export market in 2020 – representing numerous opportunities for Missouri businesses. Japan is a larger market, importing over $102 billion of United States products and services per year. With trade agreements and favorable economic policies, Japan is a country worth exploring. Learn more about the many opportunities and assistance available for any business interested in exploring international trade with Japan.