Emporia Economic Outlook Conference
2024-10-18 10:30 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
The purpose of the conference is to provide insight into current local and state economies, addressing topics of interest to the community, region and state. A combination of state and local experts will be on hand to provide perspectives on issues affecting business, health care, industry, education and government.

Rice County Community Outlook Event
2024-10-21 11:00 - 14:00

Kingman County Community Outlook Event
2024-10-22 08:00 - 10:00

Quickbooks Online Training for Beginners
2024-10-22 09:00 - 12:00
Quickbooks Online Training for Beginners
Learn how to use QuickBooks Online software to help manage your company’s finances from anywhere using the cloud. This webinar covers setting up your company account, navigating the user interface, recording common transactions, and running reports to assess your company’s performance. Learn how to set up products and services, customers, vendors, sales tax, and more. Presenter Charnea Bell is a Master Accountant, Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor, alumna of Wichita State University, and local business owner.
Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm
Cost: $199.00
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at 12:00 pm on Monday, October 21st , 2024

Pratt Community Outlook Event
2024-10-22 13:00 - 15:00

QuickBooks Online Training for Intermediate Users
2024-10-24 09:00 - 12:00
QuickBooks Online Training for Intermediate Users
Build on the skills learned in the Beginners course and learn how to make the most of this cloud-based accounting software to manage your company’s finances more efficiently. This webinar covers more complex concepts including setting up sales tax, creating estimates, recurring transactions, inventory management, journal entries, and payroll. Also learn how to manage accounts receivable and accounts payable, reconcile accounts, and analyze reports. Presenter Charnea Bell is a Master Accountant, Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor, alumna of Wichita State University, and local business owner.
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm
Cost: $199.00
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at 12:00 pm on Monday, October 21st , 2024

Benefits Fair for Small Businesses
2024-10-24 10:00 - 15:00
This event is designed to help connect local small business owners with essential resources to support the well-being of their employees and themselves. Whether you are looking for or can provide, plans, programs, or memberships in any of the following areas, this event is for you!

Healthcare such as dental, direct primary care, concierge medicine, mental health services, prescription plans, and health insurance;
Financial Wellness namely financial planning and retirement account coordination;
Human Resources including consulting, worker compensation, background checks, drug testing; or
Other relevant benefits to support small businesses.

Date: Thursday, October 24
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: WSU Hughes Metropolitan Complex
Early bird pricing for exhibitors ends on September 30! There is no cost for small business owners and entrepreneurs to attend the Benefits Fair, but kindly RSVP so we can plan festivities accordingly. More information is available via > www.wichita.edu/ksbdc/events.

Hays Economic Outlook Conference
2024-10-24 10:30 - 14:00

Dodge City Economic Outlook Conference
2024-10-25 10:30 - 14:00

How to do Business with the City of Wichita
2024-10-29 10:00 - 11:00
How to do Business with the City of Wichita
Are you a local small business curious about working with the City of Wichita? The Kansas SBDC at WSU hosts Chris Haislett, Contract Compliance Officer, in this session to gain firsthand knowledge on how to become a vendor with the City of Wichita, the City’s procurement processes, requirements, and more.
Date: Tuesday, October 29th 2024
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at 12:00 pm on Monday, October 28th, 2024

Startup and Start Right
2024-10-29 12:00 - 13:00
Startup and Start Right
Ready to turn your business idea into reality? This webinar untangles the startup process and guides you through 10 essential steps. We’ll navigate licenses, taxes, business structure, funding, and more with clear explanations and actions to take!
Date: Tuesday, October 29th , 2024
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at 12:00 pm on Monday October 28th, 2024

Developing A Web-Based Business - eCommerce
2024-10-29 18:00 - 19:30
Selling your products or services on-line gives you access to a wide variety of customers anywhere in the world. There are considerations, though, that do not exist with a brick-and-mortar business. Whether you are interested in building a business that has only an on-line presence or one that is both on-line and brick-and-mortar, this is the workshop for you.
In this class, you will gain the information needed to make an informed decision about whether or not an on-line business is the best option and the steps you need to take to launch that business.
You will also learn:
How to choose an existing eCommerce site
What site based on the size of your business
What kind of sites for what products
More on SEO – how to get found.
Various payment programs
Faculty: Joseph Maxwell. Joseph Maxwell has been in the online commerce industry for over 10 years, starting with writing his own commerce platform from scratch. As such, helping companies succeed online is one of his passions. He recently started the Kansas City eCommerce meetup and is the president of SWIFTotter Solutions, a Kansas City-based company that specializes in growing businesses on the Magento platform.

Virtual Rocket Pitch + Power Networking by CONNECTpreneur
2024-10-31 10:00 - 12:00
Virtual Rocket Pitch + Power Networking by CONNECTpreneur Investor Network
Thursday, October 31, 2024, 11:00am EDT
We will email you the LINK to this special event on the evening of October 30th, as well as the morning of October 31st.
About this Event:
CONNECTpreneur Virtual Rocket Pitch events are the World’s Largest investor pitch events, with the greatest number of accredited investors, VCs, private investors and angels.
This will be our 120th event (58th Virtual) over the last 13 years.
CONNECTpreneur is a bi-monthly networking mashup that has been attended by 25,000+ business leaders over the past 13 years. Our events are cited as “The Best Networking Events in the MidAtlantic” by independent media as well as over 70% of surveyed past attendees.
Program Highlights:
– “Virtual Networking” pre and post-program – via Private Message, and Breakout Rooms
– We feature Breakout Rooms after the Pitch portion of the events. Each Breakout Room is hosted by a Presenting Company. Attendees will be able to enter and leave any Breakout Room at their convenience.
– Who will be online? We expect 400+ business leaders, including 150+ CEOs & Founders, as well as 150+ angels & VCs from around the USA.
– “Rocket Pitch” Showcase of promising emerging tech companies.
– These are virtual “Meetings” NOT “webinars”. All attendees can see and direct message all other attendees.
– Investor Polling: Investors can indicate their interest in each Presenting Company for post-event follow-up.
– We will publish a full list of all registrants – name, title, and company name to enhance networking.
All attendees must be pre-registered on this Eventbrite site.
Presenting Companies:
Alphyn Biologics, Inc.
AquaLith Advanced Materials
Balconista, Inc.
BeeKonnected
IMEROPEX, Inc
Leatt Corp
Mach32
OSSA Oral Care
WebWowZer, Inc.
Join us on Social!
Please “Like” us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Connectpreneur
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @connectpreneur
And visit our Website at connectpreneur.org
EVENT PARTNERS
Modus Create
NEXT, powered by Shulman Rogers
AEG
PWC Economic Development
Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Maryland Tech Council Venture Mentoring Services
Shulman Rogers
Refraction
Startup Grind
Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI)
Keiretsu Forum
Blu Venture Investors
Dingman Center Angels
Citrine Angels
MIT Alumni Angels
Baltimore Angels
New Jersey Angels
Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative
Wharton DC Innovation Summit
Founder Institute
Ryan & Wetmore
Monte Jade Science & Technology Association
Click here to view PREVIOUS INVESTOR PARTICIPANTS
Click here to view TESTIMONIALS and MEDIA about our VIRTUAL EVENTS
Questions?
You can e-mail our Community Manager, Skylar Rallison, at srallison@opus8.com.

Manage Your Own Social Media
2024-10-31 12:00 - 13:00
Manage Your Own Social Media
Developing a strategy, creating content, and managing your social media can seem like a daunting undertaking. Paying someone to do all of that can ALSO be challenging or out of budget. Join us to learn budget friendly tips and tricks for being your own social media manager.
Date: Thursday, October 31st, 2024
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at 12:00 pm on Monday, October 28th, 2024

State Sales Tax for Retailers
2024-11-05 10:00 - 12:00
State Sales Tax for Retailers
This webinar is presented in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Revenue and is devoted to explaining the differences between the Kansas Retailers’ Sales Tax, the Kansas Retailers’ Compensating Use Tax, and the Kansas Consumers Compensating Use Tax. You will gain a basic understanding of the goods and services subject to sales tax. It will also explain the record keeping and filing requirements, form preparation, how to use exemption certificates, and Withholding Tax.
Date: Tuesday, November 5th,2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at 12:00 pm on Monday, November 4th, 2024

State Sales Tax for Construction Contactors
2024-11-05 13:00 - 15:00
State Sales Tax for Construction Contactors
If you provide plumbing, carpentry, electrical, roofing, heating/air conditioning, landscaping, oil field services, etc., you’ll want to attend this specialized webinar. Presented in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Revenue, we’ll focus exclusively on sales tax issues for construction contractors, and subcontractors. We’ll cover how sales tax applies to materials and labor, Project Exemption Certificates, sales tax returns, billings, etc.
Date: Tuesday, November 5th 2024.
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 pm
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at 12:00 pm on Monday, November 4th , 2024

Elevate Your Business With AI
2024-11-07 07:30 - 14:30
Join us for an in-depth overview of Generative AI, specially designed for business owners and entrepreneurs.
As AI continues to grow and become more ubiquitous in all industries, it’s important to stay current with emerging trends and technologies. Now is the time to harness these powerful AI tools for your business. This event provides a unique opportunity to hear from an industry expert and gain actionable knowledge that you can use immediately.
You will leave this event with a greater understanding of how to use AI to be more productive, efficient and produce measurable outcomes.

Scaling Your Reach: A Guide to Social Media Advertising
2024-11-07 12:00 - 13:00
Scaling Your Reach: A Guide to Social Media Advertising
Unlock the full potential of social media advertising and take your business to new heights. This webinar will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to effectively leverage paid ads and influencer marketing. We will first go over how to determine if you are ready for paid advertising and what steps you should take prior.
Date: Thursday, November 7th
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Cost: $10.00
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at 12:00 pm on Monday, November 4th, 2024

Marketing Strategy
2024-11-07 18:00 - 19:00
Marketing is more than advertising. Marketing Strategy provides you with an introduction to marketing methods & tools to maximize your customer reach.
This session covers pricing strategies, positioning, the difference between features and benefits, and different marketing strategies.
At the end of this session, you will know how to:
* Outline your marketing strategy
* Test your marketing message
* Choose the right sales channel
* Implement your marketing strategy
Faculty: Patty Robb. Patty has over twenty-five years of client, agency, and non-profit marketing experience working with organizations of all sizes and industries. While Patty was a senior marketing leader at IBM, she developed brand campaigns for servers, storage, and Global Services. Patty also served on the leadership team of Indian Creek Community Church as Marketing and Operations Director. In addition to her non-profit experience, Patty was the Marketing Director for an agency and worked with many small businesses to improve their digital presence and increase leads. She is a Certified Score Mentor and also serves on the board of directors of the JR Albert Foundation. Patty holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rockhurst University.
This is part of the second Workshop Group (Polishing Your Business Idea, Marketing Strategy & Social Media Marketing) in SCORE’s three-part series “Simple Steps to Starting Your Business.” Workshop 1 – Startup Basics and Workshop Group 3 – Demystifying Financial Foundations, Funding Your Dream & Creating Realistic Financial Projections.
Please connect at least 5 minutes in advance to be sure you have a good connection. The webinar starts promptly at 6:00 PM and concludes by 7:15 PM.

Social Media Marketing
2024-11-07 19:30 - 20:30
You will learn the basics of Social Media Marketing, and how it fits into your overall marketing strategy.
At the end of this webinar, you’ll learn:
* The steps it takes to get a business presence online
* How your online presence affects your marketing
* Ways you can get a website, social media and email marketing set up for your business
* The basics of developing an online marketing strategy
Faculty: Patty Robb. Patty has over twenty-five years of client, agency, and non-profit marketing experience working with organizations of all sizes and industries. While Patty was a senior marketing leader at IBM, she developed brand campaigns for servers, storage, and Global Services. Patty also served on the leadership team of Indian Creek Community Church as Marketing and Operations Director. In addition to her non-profit experience, Patty was the Marketing Director for an agency and worked with many small businesses to improve their digital presence and increase leads. She is a Certified Score Mentor and also serves on the board of directors of the JR Albert Foundation. Patty holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rockhurst University.
This is part of the second Workshop Group (Polishing Your Business Idea, Marketing Strategy & Social Media Marketing) in SCORE’s three-part series “Simple Steps to Starting Your Business.” Workshop 1 – Startup Basics and Workshop Group 3 – Demystifying Financial Foundations, Funding Your Dream & Creating Realistic Financial Projections.
Please connect at least 5 minutes in advance to be sure you have a good connection. The webinar starts promptly at 7:30 PM and concludes by 8:30 PM.

Salina Create Campaign Forum
2024-11-09 08:30 - 14:30
The Create Campaign Forum is THE signature business development event for underrepresented entrepreneurs and business owners and it’s coming to Salina!

Save the DateSaturday, November 9, 2024 Kansas Wesleyan University’s Student Activities Center100 E. Claflin Ave. Salina, KS 67401

Women in Business: Kansas Women in Business Conference
2024-11-12 08:00 - 17:00
Discover inspiration and empowerment at the Kansas Women in Business Conference, designed for entrepreneurial and business-minded women across the state. Held in Topeka, this dynamic event aims to enhance leadership skills, foster networking opportunities, and celebrate the achievements of women in business.
Event Highlights:
Keynote Speakers: Engage with three influential women leaders who will share their insights and experiences.

The Science of Stuck: Break through what’s holding you back
As a licensed psychotherapist and human behavior expert, Britt Frank, LSCSW, holds degrees from Duke University and the University of Kansas, where she also served as an award-winning adjunct professor. The author of “The Science of Stuck,” a book available in eight languages Britt has helped millions break through personal barriers, She is known for her candid, humorous, and practical approach providing actionable tools to help individuals improve their mental well-being and performance.
Britt Frank

Build Your Own Table: Empowering workplace Success
Known for her strategic thinking and dynamic presentations that captivate audiences, Monica Massey is a seasoned executive with extensive experience managing operations at Dairy Farmers of America, a multibillion-dollar global dairy company. Rising from an intern to the c-suite, she has held roles such as Executive Vice President, Chief Innovation Officer, and Sustainability Lead.
Monica Massey

The Competitive Advantage of Audacious Optimism
Overcoming significant personal challenges, including a brain tumor diagnosis, Shanna Adamic now leads healthcare initiatives impacting thousands worldwide as the Director of Oracle Social Impact and Executive Director of Oracle Health Foundation. She is an inspirational keynote speaker and author known for her audacious optimism mindset. Shanna’s dynamic presentations empower organizations to thrive through disruption with empowered thinking.
Shanna Adamic

Networking Opportunities: Connect and collaborate with like-minded professionals, building meaningful relationships that can propel your career or business forward.
Lunch and Breaks: Enjoy catered breaks and lunch while connecting with fellow attendees.
Evening with Manhattan Women in Business: Extend your networking into the evening with dinner with the Manhattan Women in Business.(Price of dinner is on your own and not included in the event price)
Don’t miss this chance to grow professionally and personally. Join us for a day of empowerment and connection at the Kansas Women in Business Conference!

November Monthly Luncheon
2024-11-12 11:00 - 13:00
Our WIBA luncheon is a great time to network with like-minded business leaders, enjoy a buffet lunch, and hear from local speakers. This month, we are thrilled to welcome Chip Schellhorn, President of CMJ Manufacturing, Inc., as our guest speaker.
Originally from Kansas City, Chip spent 11 years in the United States Navy flying F/A-18F Super Hornets and other tactical Navy jets. He made two combat deployments from the USS Abraham Lincoln, and throughout his career, he held a variety of leadership positions, including instructor pilot, standardization officer, and flag aide-de-camp to the Chief of Naval Air Training.
In 2019, Chip and his family moved to Wichita for a Sales and Strategy role at Textron Aviation Defense. Chip was privileged to fly the T-6C Texan II and AT-6E Wolverine as an instructor pilot, demonstration pilot, and international plane captain, and during his four-year tenure at Textron Aviation Defense, he held multiple roles supporting military operators of Cessna and Beechcraft airplanes.
In 2023, Chip launched a self-funded solo search to identify, acquire, and operate a small aerospace business in the Wichita metropolitan area. That search concluded with his successful acquisition of CMJ Manufacturing, Inc. Located in Mulvane, Kansas (approximately 15 miles south of Wichita), CMJ Manufacturing precisely machines tight-tolerance aerospace and defense components with lathe, mill, and gear cutting equipment.
Chip attended Harvard University where he rowed on the Lightweight Crew Team, winning two Conference Championships and one National Championship; he later earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. He speaks fluent Spanish and has traveled extensively through Latin and South America. Along with his wife and two daughters, he enjoys running, hiking, and spending time outdoors.

Location
Ninth Floor Club + Venue (formerly The Petroleum Club)

Parking is available on the upper levels and any space not marked RESERVED in the parking garage on the West side of Broadway.
Elevators are located on the East side of the building and accessible on the street and walkway levels. Go to the 9th floor.

Pricing
$25 members
$50 Non-members
*Tickets are non-refundable or transferrable

View Event

Contact Information
Wichita Independent Business Association
Name: Jennifer Willits
Email: jennifer@wiba.org
Details: Please update or add to your registration through your WIBA Portal.

Time Management Strategies for Small Business Owners
2024-11-12 12:00 - 13:00
Whether you’re a seasoned small business owner or just beginning your entrepreneurial journey, it’s important to know how to effectively manage your time in your business.
In this webinar, our expert presenter will teach you the importance of time management in your business, a foundational process to save time and how to manage your time as a part-time entrepreneur and full-time business owner.
Learning objectives:

How to incorporate time management tools and techniques into your routine
How to determine what you should delegate
How to effectively set up your calendar
How to manage your daily and weekly schedule

Live attendees will receive the slide deck and a link to this webinar recording.

Competing for Government Contracts: Basic Training
2024-11-12 13:00 - 15:30
Training Topics: Government Contracting
Description:

Federal, state and local governments spend more than $800B per year buying goods and services.
This introductory seminar, provided by the Kansas APEX, offers an overview of the critical first steps to becoming a government contractor.
Join us to learn to identify opportunities and understand the contracting process. You will also learn about services available to help you.
Location: Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Regnier Center, Room 145, Overland Park KS 66210
Event held in person ONLY.

Instructions:Event held in person only.

Registration Policies:
Registration and Fees: Payment of seminar fees may be made by check, money order or credit card. Payment must be received to guarantee your space in an event.
Refund Policy: If you wish to request a refund, please contact the conference organizer listed above to discuss. You may also elect to send a substitute in your place. If the event is cancelled, all fees will be returned.
Special Accommodations: In accordance with the American Disabilities Act and state law, you may request accommodations due to a disability by contacting the event organizer listed above. Advance notice may be necessary for some accommodations. Registration must be paid prior to accommodation requests.

Flint Hills Entrepreneur Summit
2024-11-15 09:00 - 13:00
Plan to join entrepreneurs, community leaders and business resources at the Flint Hills Entrepreneur Summit on Friday, November 15, 2024!
This event is open to all future and established entrepreneurs who want to:

demystify grant processes and opportunities
gain valuable information about loan options for all business sizes
get practical tools for promoting and marketing your business.

The event will feature expert speakers and roundtable discussions, as well as networking opportunities with resources, business support organizations and vendors.
This in-person event will be held from 9am-12pm the Holiday Inn Manhattan at the Campus, followed by an hour for networking. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this Summit is designed to help you take your business to the next level.
This free event is a partnership of regional and national business resources, bringing dynamic speakers and resources to you. Summit Partners include: Flint Hills Vetrepreneur Foundation, Innovate24, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Junction City Chamber of Commerce, VetBiz, Small Business Administration, SCORE and Small Business Development Center.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and learn from industry experts. Reserve your seat free today!

November Simply Social
2024-11-19 16:00 - 17:30
November Simply Social
November 19, 2024 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (CST)

Description
Get together with other WIBA members for an afternoon of networking and socializing.
Meet us at Landmark Lounge 146 N. Emporia Ave. from 4-6 pm.
Landmark Real Estate will host and Xclusive will bartend. Sign up NOW and we will see you there!

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Contact Information
Wichita Independent Business Association
Name: Jennifer Willits
Email: jennifer@wiba.org
Details: Please update or add to your registration through your WIBA Portal.

November New Member Meet & Greet
2024-11-20 15:30 - 17:00
November New Member Meet & Greet
November 20, 2024 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM (CST)

Description
Meet & Greets are intended for WIBA Members only: specifically for new WIBA Members who have just joined or existing members can send their new employees who are not familiar with WIBA. This is a great chance to meet your fellow WIBA Members and learn how to get the most out of your WIBA Membership! This is not a come-and-go event so please be on time and stay afterwards for the free happy hour & networking.

Location
Ruffin Building – Lower Level

The Conference Room is 2 doors North of the WIBA Office.

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Contact Information
Name: Jaclyn McAnarney
Phone: (316) 201-3264
Email: jaclyn@wiba.org

November Coffee & Conversation
2024-11-21 07:30 - 09:00
November Coffee & Conversation
November 21, 2024 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM (CST)

Description

Join us bright and early for breakfast and conversation. It is a great way to start your day. Let’s meet at 7:30 am with fellow WIBA members as we have coffee and network, then get seated for breakfast and continue valuable conversations.
It’s “Friends” Giving
Join us on the Friends University campus for our November Coffee & Conversation and hear from our guest speaker, Scot Pierce.
Scot Pierce, Speaker/Announcer/Emcee, as he is also known, has fearless energy, integrative wit, and engaging humor for all audiences, sharing stories of experiences growing up as a humble farm boy to city fellar in clinical care, pharmaceuticals, and radio. But don’t let the fun facade as a recording artist and concert pre-show hype guy fool you. He has served several years as the President of the Friends University Alumni Board and Council. He was the team chair for a major pharmaceutical national sales initiative and went on to devote his career to healthcare, keynote speaker, workshop coordinator, and presenter on national stages in front of corporate audiences. His “Algorithm Affect” and WIN-What’s Important Now, are two of his most popular business leadership speeches. Scot spent 18 years saving lives as an MICT and Flight Paramedic transporting patients throughout the continental U.S. and Canada. He has sung at the White House, the U.S. Capitol and Carnegie Hall. He earned multiple Kansas Broadcast Award nominations for his creative copy and commercial production while involved in one of the largest local radio groups spanning country and rock. Scot is a Division II College Game Day Announcer earning recognition at the state and national levels for his flare and programing of championship tournaments. ScotyP has faced death right in the eye, not once, but twice and lived to tell the tale. While the “How”and “What”are exaggeratedly entertaining, the “Why” will enlighten and inspire all audiences both in business and personal settings. The tale how a tragedy became a triumph and the victim became a victor, will leave your audience with a memorable message for life, business, and career. Scot is married to DeDe and is the father of 3 grown children and grandfather of 2.

Time
Coffee starts flowing at 7:30 am

Pricing
$10 members
$15 Non-Members

View Event

Contact Information
Wichita Independent Business Association
Name: Jennifer Willits
Phone: (316) 201-3264
Email: jennifer@wiba.org
