Small Business Programs
Workshops and Trainings
AEDP offers a variety of workshops and training programs designed to support and empower small businesses. From marketing and branding to financial management and business planning, our workshops provide practical insights and strategies to help entrepreneurs succeed. Led by industry experts, these interactive sessions offer valuable networking opportunities and equip participants with essential skills and knowledge to navigate the challenges of running a small business. Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow your business, our workshops are tailored to meet your specific needs and fuel your entrepreneurial journey.
Upcoming Workshops:
eVA Registration
Tuesday, May 21 at 11am
These free in-person workshops are designed to educate small, woman and/or minority business owners about opportunities to sell their goods and services to the Commonwealth of Virginia and many local governments – including the City of Alexandria! Each year the State buys goods and services totaling more than $8 billion – learn how your company can be a part of that! The workshop will provide information about the Virginia procurement process and will walk through registering in the eVA system in real time.
Who should attend: Small business owners that are interested in state and local procurement opportunities.
Please bring your laptop as you will be walking through the eVA registration in real-time.
SWaM Certification
Are you a small, women-owned, or minority-owned business who wants to do business with the Commonwealth of Virginia? Small business owners who are looking to participate in Virginia’s specialized procurement and contracting opportunities are encouraged to become SWaM certified. The SWaM certification is a vehicle to promote economic growth of Virginia’s businesses. In this workshop learn the process and benefits to become SWaM certified in Virginia.
Please bring your laptop to this in-person workshop.
Note: There is a list of supporting documents required to become SWaM-certified. If you are looking to be SWaM-certified by the end of our workshop, please scan these documents and save them on the laptop you are bringing to the workshop.
Who should attend: Small business owners that are interested in state and local procurement opportunities.
Previous Workshops
Fundamentals of Commercial Leasing
Are you looking to lease commercial space in Alexandria for the first time? If so, this is the workshop for you! Join the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership for a 1-hour virtual workshop to learn the fundamentals of commercial real estate and how to get started opening your location.
During the workshop we will discuss:
• Critical Steps in the Leasing Process
• Key People that Can Help
• Commercial Real Estate Basic Terms
Filing and Paying Your Business Taxes Electronically
Are you unsure of how to file and pay your business taxes? If so, this is the workshop for you! Join the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership and IRS Stakeholder Liaison for a 1-hour virtual workshop to learn all you need to know about filing and paying your taxes electronically.
During the workshop we will discuss:
• IRS e-file for individual and business returns
• Electronic payment options for business
• The benefits of filing and paying electronically
There will also be live Q & A. We hope you can join us!
Speaker: Anika T. Pompey, Senior Stakeholder Liaison, Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
New Year, New Rules: What is the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) & How to Comply with the FinCEN Final Rule
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has recently issued a final rule extending deadlines for certain small businesses to file their initial beneficial ownership information (BOI) with FinCEN. Join us as we unveil what action items you need to cross off your New Year’s resolutions to ensure your business remains in good standing. We will cover the following topics for this webinar:
• Overview of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)
• Who is impacted by the FinCEN final rule?
• Deadlines and legal requirements for compliance
• How to get prepared NOW to meet the deadlines and avoid potential fines and criminal charges
Presenter: Jennifer Schiffer, Shareholder, Bean, Kinney & Korman
Unlocking Success: Building Relationships with Financial Institutions
Are you a small business owner or someone looking to start a business? Are you looking to understand the financial landscape better? Strong partnerships with financial institutions are essential in today’s dynamic business landscape. Our expert panel of financial professionals will share their knowledge and real-world experiences, offering practical advice and actionable steps to strengthen your connections with financial institutions. You’ll leave this webinar with the tools and confidence to leverage these partnerships successfully. Join us and our partner at WACIF to discover the power of Building Relationships with Financial Institutions. Presented by Eric Alston, Small Business Relationship Manager at WACIF.
Brand Identity 101
A strong brand identity can lead to key outcomes for your small business. Unsure what your brand looks like or where to start? Discover the branding basics your small business needs to boost awareness and connect with your audience in this free webinar presented by our business consultant and social media extraordinaire, Suhyoon Wood.