Forum for Sustaining Agriculture
2019-03-08 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | VA
The purpose of the annual forum is to showcase new and exciting projects and programs that enhance farm or rural business profitability. Nearly 200 farmers and business owners gathered from around the region to discuss best practices with experts on everything from social media marketing to industrial hemp legislation, event business best practices to agricultural land preservation.
The day was filled with exhibits and panels, offering opportunities for networking and education.

Selling to the Commonwealth- 1:1 Coaching
2019-03-11 09:00 - 14:00, 2019-04-08 09:00 - 14:00 UTC | Loudoun Economic Development, 43777 Central Station Drive, Suite 300, Ashburn, VA, 20147, United States
The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity in partnership with the Loudoun County Economic Development will offer one-on-one counseling sessions on how to conduct business with Virginia state agencies by appointment at the Loudoun County Economic Development office.
Each one-on-one business counseling session will be 1 hour and are FREE but by appointment only.
To schedule an appointment: email chris.ley@sbsd.virginia.gov

Establishing your Farm's Online Presence: Website Building for Beginners
2019-03-11 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market Street, Denton, MD, 201629
Join farmer and designer Lauren Giordano of Schoolhouse Farmhouse for a workshop designed to help you establish your farm’s online presence. This workshop is for farmers that do not yet have a website but do have an established farm or a farm that is beginning to sell this year.
Three 2-hour time slots are available between 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Some pre-work gathering content for your website is required prior to the workshop. Attendees will leave with a live website and the knowledge to edit, update, and expand your website.
To ensure success building a website during the workshop, prior to the workshop, participants must:

Before February 25th, email Lauren a few high-resolution photographs of yourself, your farm, and your operation; your farm logo in a .jpg format; and a description of your farm operation, mission statement, or “about us” statement. Lauren’s contact information will be provided to registrants.
Sign up for a free Squarespace trial account the day of the workshop

$15 Beginner Farmer Program Trainees / $20 FHCASA Members / $40 Non-members
Questions? Contact Niamh Shortt at niamh@futureharvestcasa.org

American Capital Planning @ 1 Million Cups
2019-03-13 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Mason Enterprise Center-Loudoun, 202 Church St, Leesburg, VA, 20175
Each week, the 1MC program offers two local entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their startups to a diverse audience of mentors, advisors, and entrepreneurs. Learn more about 1 Million Cups (http://www.1millioncups.com/About.aspx).
This week our presenting entrepreneur is Donnie Sewell sharing a new product from her company, American Capital Planning, “Divorce Your Spouse Not Your Dollars” http://www.americancapitalplanning.com
What to Expect:
• Coffee and networking to warm up
• 1 or 2 business owners present their business challenge weekly.
• 6-10 minute presentations.
• 20 minute Q & A.
• Supportive and diverse audience.
• 1MC community always asks, “how can we help you?”
Sponsor: Breakout Capital
WHY ATTEND 1 MILLION CUPS?
• Learn how to improve your business.
• Contribute helpful feedback to the entrepreneurs in your community.

Simple Business Plan Bootcamp
2019-03-13 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Mason Enterprise Center-Loudoun, 202 Church St, Leesburg, VA, 20175
Create a Powerful Plan for Your Small Business (Part 1 & 2)
Whether you’re first starting out, or your business has been open for years, all businesses need a plan to succeed. Your plan drives critical decisions and actions that determine whether you succeed or fail. Identifying your core customers, important activities and key resources can make sure you’re focusing your business on profitability and growth.
Unfortunately, the business planning process can be confusing and complicated. The format of a traditional business plan can be long, lengthy and intimidating to write. Knowing what information is critical to include and knowing where to get that information can result in a plan that isn’t helpful or ends up on the shelf ignored.
In this two-session class we will take a fresh look at how to create a plan that works for your small business. One that gives you the ability to make important decisions, is relevant to you and your team as well as being less confusing. SBDC Manager Eric Byrd will walk you through building your own simple business plan using The Business Model Canvas and other tools so you can easily chart a course for success.
In the first session (month one) you will map out your business model and identify all the critical aspects of running your particular business. Between the sessions you will do research and gather information so when you return for the second session (month two) you can focus on documenting your plan. Throughout the process you will be able to ask questions and identify the specific information you need to have to create the right plan for your specific business.

Speaker(s): Eric Byrd, Manager, Loudoun SBDC
Fee: $50 for series
Two Dates: Wednesday, March 13th and Wednesday, April 24th, 2019

Tech CEO Networking Luncheon
2019-03-14 11:30 - 13:00, 2019-04-10 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Wildfire, 2001 International Drive, McClean, VA
You are invited to an exclusive event series for top leaders in our region’s technology community. Now going into its fourth year, the NVTC Tech CEO Networking Series is designed to connect technology CEOs with their peers for high-powered networking in a smaller, more intimate setting. Share experiences, discuss solutions to tough problems, and discover new opportunities with leading executives at the area’s most successful companies.
This series, hosted at Wildfire, Tysons Corner, is limited to the most senior corporate officer in a technology company, whether that individual is the president, CEO, principal, managing partner, etc. The technology company must hold a current NVTC membership.

The State of Virginia’s Energy Market & How Your Business Could Benefit
2019-03-14 15:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Top Golf, 20356 Commonwealth Center Drive, Ashburn, VA
Direct Energy Business, the exclusive energy supplier of the Loudoun Chamber, invites you to an informative seminar at Topgolf that details the current energy market in Virginia and how to overcome regulatory hurdles. Afterward, take your best shot playing games of skill with your Chamber colleagues!

Responding to RFPs (Leesburg)
2019-03-19 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Mason Enterprise Center-Loudoun, 202 Church St, Leesburg, VA, 20175
This workshop is designed to answer a concern we hear frequently, namely: “We want to submit government proposals but we don’t know how to understand the RFP and we don’t know what we need to do to ensure a compliant & winning proposal.” Whether you are new to government contracting or have some experience submitting unsuccessful proposals, this workshop will answer your questions, explain how to develop and implement proven processes to create winning proposals, and recommend plans for long-term success.
Topics we’ll cover include:

How the procurement timeline affects your actions
Understanding the government requirements (RFPs, RFQs, Sources Sought, RFIs, Pre-solicitation Notices, Capability Statements)
Should you bid, or not? And why?
How to plan and develop proposal schedules, outlines, resources
Implementing proposal compliance & quality assurance and processes
Establishing repeatable processes such as those used daily by successful small and large prime contractors

Equine Alliance Expo
2019-03-19 17:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Stonetower Winery, 19925 Hogback Mountain Rd, Leesburg, VA
The Loudoun County Equine Alliance is hosting the Equine Expo on Tuesday, March 19. The purpose of this informational event is to showcase equestrian businesses, organizations and support industries, as a way to let the community interact and get to know the vast network of our equestrian economy. The Board of Supervisors will be invited to attend and get to know this critical constituent group. In addition, members of the LCEA Board of Directors will be available to discuss suggestions and concerns from the equestrian community.
Light refreshments will be provided and wine will be available for purchase.

Tech on Tap: Data Centers
2019-03-19 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Dr., #114, Ashburn, VA
Loudoun has emerged as the top destination for data center investment and jobs. What’s driving this demand and what’s in it for us?
Explore the role of Loudoun County data centers in building our technology future during a panel discussion with Tag Greason, of QTS Realty Trust; James Leach, of RagingWire Data Centers; and Josh Levi, of the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC). Tech on Tap is presented by Loudoun County Public Library and is open to adults 21 and older. Registration is not required.
Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/yxtgu2e6.

Loudoun GovCon: Creating a Team to Win IDIQ Contracts Task Orders
2019-03-20 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Telos Corporation, 19886 Ashburn Road, Ashburn, VA
Government Contractors are winning IDIQ contracts, but not collecting more revenue. Task Orders must be responded to quickly and competed against the narrowed field of qualified companies. Compounding the issue is constrained budgets to spend on responses, especially in light of the shutdown.
This event will help you learn how to compete and win more task orders. We will discuss how to successfully price a task order, creating internal policies and procedures to structure a fast response, and hiring/compensating business development professionals to create synergy with management goals and fiscal results. Our panel are experts in procurement, small business proposals and sales compensation strategies.
Featured Panelists

Amber Hart, The Pulse: Expert in creating internal processes and procedures on proposals
Lisa Shea Mundt, The Pulse: Expert in getting billable subject matter experts (SMEs) to provide valuable content
Barry Landew, Wolf Den Associates, LLC: Expert in business development compensation strategies that drive results and protect the bottom line
Avantika Singh, BOOST LLC: Expert in creating pricing models to rapid responses at competitive, profitable rates

Moderator:

Tech Networking with Discussion on Customer Discovery
2019-03-20 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | The Bungalow Lakehouse, 46116 Lake Center Plaza, Sterling, VA
Customer interviews can help you make better decisions about your product or service- but where do you start? Tonight we will be inviting a recent graduate from the ICAP program to share some insight into the benefit of customer interviews, how they framed these conversations and what they learned about their business.
Loudoun Tech Startups is the local group for the emerging and growing Loudoun Tech community to relax, network and learn together. Come out monthly to meet your tech-minded peers, discuss what you’re working on and maybe even find your next opportunity. Loudoun Tech Startups has served the needs of the community since 2012.
http://www.loudounsmallbiz.org/
http://www.masonenterprisecenter.org/space/mec-leesburg/
Please note, this group was created to help tech firms and startups benefit from connecting with one another. Service providers can participate and share their wisdom, but this isn’t a forum to sell services. We appreciate your understanding.

Impact AI Summit
2019-03-21 07:00 - 16:15 (America/New_York) | Inova Center for Personalized Health, 8100 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax, VA
Join the region’s 2019 Impact AI Summit on March 21, 2019 at the Inova Center for Personalized Health Conference Center, Fairfax, VA. Featuring unique insights from distinguished keynote speakers and panels. The Impact AI Summit will provide tremendous business development and educational value for NVTC members and the entire regional technology community
Visit the Impact AI Summit website to see the full agenda and list of speakers!

Starting a Business in Loudoun County
2019-03-21 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you’re not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you’re not sure if it will make a profitable company. Navigating the ins and outs of creating a business plan, marketing your new business and figuring out how to determine which licenses and permits you really need to launch your new venture.
Speaker(s): Eric Byrd

Ag Bio 2019
2019-03-27 08:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, 150 Slayton Ave., Danville, 24540, United States
Virginia and North Carolina are uniting to transform the agricultural industry. We are combining strengths for an exceptional one-day conference to bring forth innovative bioscience and technology to the farms! Providing a toolkit of essential tools and proactive solutions to increase efficiency and yields – creating healthier plant crops, animals and bringing full circle to the health of the human.
It is a remarkable convergence of multi-state agricultural bioscience, technology, industry partners, farmers, policy makers, agribusiness stakeholders, universities, veterinary medicine and public health.
Teaming together we multiply our opportunities and cultivate partnerships to plow forth industry success, all under one roof.

Business Women of Loudoun: Hack Your Way to Video Marketing Success
2019-03-27 11:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Belmont Country Club, 43750 Tournament Parkway, Ashburn, 20147
Video content has been the buzz in marketing for several years, with Google reporting that more than half of all customers turn to product videos before visiting a store. Doing it effectively can be intimidating, time-consuming and expensive, which stops many entrepreneurs from ever trying.
Fortunately, you can save time, limit costs, and reach your target customers by filming with the phone in your pocket and a few handy “hacks.” This training includes tips on planning, editing and marketing your videos, all without breaking the bank.
About the Speaker:
About the Presenter: Brian Tinsman is a digital Swiss Army knife who has mastered storytelling on a shoestring budget. Through his work with Loudoun Economic Development, Brian helps to tell the story of business success in the county. Please bring your questions and enjoy this hands-on discussion.

Hack Your Way to Video Marketing Success
2019-03-27 11:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Belmont Country Club, 43750 Tournament Parkway, Ashburn, 20147

PolicyMaker Series: Shaping Loudoun’s Future
2019-04-10 08:00 - 2019-04-11 10:00 (America/New_York) | The National, 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
The decisions that will shape Loudoun County in 2040 are being made today. Creating diverse and affordable housing options, improving our transportation infrastructure and managing our economic assets are among the priorities being debated by County Planning Commissioners as they rewrite Loudoun’s land use and development plans.
As you read this, the Loudoun County Planning Commission is preparing to submit their proposed Loudoun 2040 Comprehensive Plan to the Board of Supervisors. Once approved by the Board of Supervisors, the Loudoun 2040 Comprehensive Plan will have a generational impact on our community.
Join us as the current and past Chairs of the Loudoun County Planning Commission, Fred Jennings and Cliff Keirce, share their priorities in the creation of the Loudoun 2040 Draft Comprehensive Plan. After their presentation, we will host a panel discussion featuring a panel of business executives who will discuss the challenges they face in hiring and retaining employees in Loudoun County.

CalcRite from CompuStrategies @ 1 Million Cups
2019-04-10 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Mason Enterprise Center-Loudoun, 202 Church St, Leesburg, VA, 20175
The 1 Million Cups-Loudoun program has helped over 200 founders identify new opportunities for their business.
This forum has been the first stop for many of Loudoun’s successful startups and continues to be an important entry point for many of today’s great business ideas.
This week’s featured business presentation is from CompuStrategies. The founders will be presenting their product, CalcRite, and asking for your help on connecting with customers for this new platform. CalcRite is the first cost-effective, automated, and flexible sentence calculation solution that meets your current needs for today and can grow and evolve as your needs change.https://compustrategies.com/calcrite-for-jails
Why your business should present:
• Get solutions for a business challenge from an engaged and supportive audience;
• Validate that your product or service is the right fit for your customer;
• Crowdsource new ideas for sales and marketing, go-to-market strategy or funding that you may not have considered previously;
• Practice how you deliver the presentation of your business or idea.
• APPLY to present your business at https://www.1millioncups.com/loudoun
What you can expect as an attendee:
• One business owner presents their business each week and provides a challenge or opportunity that they are working on;
• The audience is asked to help provide solutions and ideas for the owner to consider;
• Networking with other business owners and Loudoun community resources.
Learn more about the history and growth of 1 Million Cups across the country, https://www.1millioncups.com/

3rd Annual YEA Trade Show
2019-04-11 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Dulles Town Center Mall-MyPerks Lounge, 21100 Dulles Town Cir., Sterling, VA
Join us for the 3rd Annual Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA!) trade show. Students will show off their businesses that they have been working on for last six months. Learn about the students business and even buy their products! Prospective students are welcomed!

1 Million Cups- Loudoun
2019-04-17 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Mason Enterprise Center-Loudoun, 202 Church St, Leesburg, VA, 20175
The 1 Million Cups-Loudoun program has helped over 200 founders identify new opportunities for their business.
This forum has been the first stop for many of Loudoun’s successful startups and continues to be an important entry point for many of today’s great business ideas.
Check back soon for this week’s presenter, or APPLY to present your business at https://www.1millioncups.com/loudoun
Why your business should present:
• Get solutions for a business challenge from an engaged and supportive audience;
• Validate that your product or service is the right fit for your customer;
• Crowdsource new ideas for sales and marketing, go-to-market strategy or funding that you may not have considered previously;
• Practice how you deliver the presentation of your business or idea.
What you can expect as an attendee:
• One business owner presents their business each week and provides a challenge or opportunity that they are working on;
• The audience is asked to help provide solutions and ideas for the owner to consider;
• Networking with other business owners and Loudoun community resources.
Learn more about the history and growth of 1 Million Cups across the country, https://www.1millioncups.com/

Starting a Business in Loudoun County
2019-04-18 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Ashburn Public Library, 43316 Hay Rd, Ashburn, VA, 20147
Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you’re not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you’re not sure if it will make a profitable company. Navigating the ins and outs of creating a business plan, marketing your new business and figuring out how to determine which licenses and permits you really need to launch your new venture.
If you answered “yes” or are wondering about those, or other, questions this group session is for you.
Come learn the answer to these and other questions at this NO COST interactive group session. We’ll answer many of your questions, talk about what will make your new venture profitable and how to ensure that you are ready to launch your new business. We will also set you up in the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) system so you can take full advantage of the no cost, one-on-one business advising services offered by our center.
Speaker: Eric Byrd

Loudoun Well Water Testing Clinic
2019-04-22 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Loudoun County Government Center-Dulles Room, 1 Harrison Street SE, Leesburg, VA, 20175
Have you had your private well tested in the last year?
Did you know that as the owner of a private well, it is your responsibility to ensure your drinking water is safe?
Affordable and confidential water testing and education is offered through Loudoun County Virginia Cooperative Extension’s annual spring water testing clinic. Our lab will test for 14 different water quality parameters and we then provide you with the education to understand your results.
Sample kit pick up date is April 24th.
Space is limited.
For more information and to register contact Sue Naille at snaille@vt.edu or call 703-777-0373.
Preregistration is required!

Small Business Committee Presents: The 100X Leader Summit
2019-04-24 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Loudoun County Public Schools Building, 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, VA, United States
Be a part of the 100X Leader Summit. From the founder of Leadercast and the CEO of Catalyst come be a part of what Jeremie Kubicek (CEO of GiANT) and the cofounder of GiANT, Steve Cockram, are doing next.
As best selling authors, come experience the content of their newest work, The 100X Leader. The 100X Leader Summit will equip you to become 100% healthy as a leader and how to multiply what you know to those you lead. Like other oﬀerings GiANT brings, the summit will inspire you to seek transformation in all areas of your life, giving you tools that you will use the very next day.
This event is for every person that wants to grow – from the team or organization leader to a leader of families. The goal is to equip people to become people that others want to follow, not have to follow.

Loudoun on Tap @ TopGolf
2019-04-24 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Top Golf, 20356 Commonwealth Center Drive, Ashburn, VA
Mark your calendars for the ‘must-attend’ quarterly networking event of 2019—Loudoun On Tap! Join us at Topgolf in Ashburn where you will have the opportunity to socialize and share about your business with an extensive network of people. Bring your business cards and be prepared to create new connections, while enjoying food and spirits local to Loudoun.

2019 NVTC Virginia Data Center Leadership Awards Banquet
2019-04-24 17:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | VA
On April 24, 2019, NVTC will host the inaugural 2019 NVTC Virginia Data Center Awards. The NVTC Virginia Data Center Awards will offer the statewide business community and public sector leaders the opportunity to join together in celebrating the enormous growth and contributions of Virginia’s data center industry

Startup Grind DC Fireside Chat with The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton of DC
2019-04-25 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 1111 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW, DC
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton is the Delegate to the United States House of Representatives, representing the District of Columbia.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, now in her fifteenth term as the Congresswoman for the District of Columbia, is the Chair of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. She serves on two committees: the Committee on Oversight and Reform and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Before her congressional service, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to serve as the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She came to Congress as a national figure who had been a civil rights and feminist leader, a tenured professor of law, and board member at three Fortune 500 companies. Congresswoman Norton has been named one of the 100 most important American women in one survey and one of the most powerful women in Washington in another. The Congresswoman’s work for full congressional voting representation and for full democracy for the people of the District of Columbia continues her lifelong struggle for universal human and civil rights.

Coffee, Cake and Questions
2019-05-01 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Mason Enterprise Center-Loudoun, 202 Church St, Leesburg, VA, 20175
Have you wondered about the following? Stop by and ask a friendly resource person, at no cost. Or bring your own questions!
1. What are the compliance requirements to be aware as employee numbers grow? How do I streamline the on-boarding process?
2. What are the first steps in pursuing classified contracts? What is involved in getting a facility clearance for my business?
3. At what point should a Government Contractor become DCAA Compliant? What are software options for very small Government Contractors related to meeting the needs of the Government?
4. How do I improve my company’s performance ratings? Contract awards: FFP vs. T&M—what’s the difference and what should I do?
5. Are there ways I can provide employee retirement plans? What financial aspects should I consider when planning a future exit from my company?
