Let's Grow Glendale - Small Business Summit

Small businesses are the backbone of our community and the driving force behind our local economy.

The City's Economic Development Division in partnership with the Small Business Administration/SBDC Los Angeles presents a series of events aimed at showcasing resources and opportunities that can help small businesses flourish in today's competitive economic climate.

Don't miss out on the chance to learn, grow, and connect with fellow business owners...let's grow Glendale!

Summit Agenda:
1:30PM - 2:00PM | Registration/ Check-In
2:00PM - 2:30PM | Opening Remarks

2:35PM - 3:15PM | Breakout Session #1 (Tracks 1 and 2 Concurrently)
Track 1:
Financial Fusion: Exploring Opportunities and Insights in the Lender Roundtable
Track 2:
Strategic Approach to Business Success – A Focus on Business Planning

3:15PM - 3:30PM | Networking Break

3:30PM - 4:15PM | Breakout Session #2 (Track 3 and 4 Concurrently)
Track 3:
Empowering Growth: Navigating Certifications and Procurement for Small Businesses – Your Path to Informed Success
Track 4:
Smart Finances for Business Success: Know Your Numbers & Ensure Your Cashflow

4:15PM - 4:30PM | Networking Break

4:30PM - 5:15PM | Breakout Session #3 (Track 5 and 6 Concurrently)
Track 5:
Unlocking Financial Potential: Navigating the Landscape of Access to Capital for Businesses
Track 6:
Strategic Outreach: Mastering the Art of Marketing to Corporate and Government Entities

5:15PM - 7:30PM | Celebration (ages 21+)

Track 1:
Financial Fusion: Exploring Opportunities and Insights in the Lender Roundtable

SBDC will facilitate an interactive discussion with representatives from traditional banks, CDCs, and venture capital firms in order to provide insight on how the lending process works from the inside.

Moderator: Ted Hiatt, Associate Regional Director SBDC LA

Speakers:
Armen Ghazikhanian, V.P. Sr. Relationship Manager at Chase Bank

Colette Moore, Director at Pacific Coast Regional SBDC

Alexandra Dawson, Director of Lending & Investments, LISC

David Granfard, Lender Relations Specialist/ OIG Liaison, SBA Los Angeles District

Ahmad Shafique, President, Advantage CDC

Track 2:
Strategic Approach to Business Success – A Focus on Business Planning

In today’s ever-changing business environment, a company has to keep focused on its vision and purpose for existence; it has to keep scanning, learning and adapting to ensure that its mission is accomplished. A key tool is the business plan and the continuous strategic planning and review.

Speaker: Eddy Sumar of Synergist LLC

Track 3:
Empowering Growth: Navigating Certifications and Procurement for Small Businesses – Your Path to Informed Success

Attendees will learn about the various certifications and opportunities available and whether or not government contracting is a viable option for their business. Representatives from the City of Glendale, L.A. County Purchasing Department will also be on hand to answer questions about how to get certified to do business with the City.

Speakers:
Afshin Bokaei, Deputy Director at City of Glendale Finance Dep

Nuha Nazy and Emilia Rogowska, Advisors with SBDC LA

Enrique Gonzalez, Supervisor, Apex Accelerator, LA County Department of Economic Opportunity

Track 4:
Smart Finances for Business Success: Know Your Numbers & Ensure Your Cashflow

Every business enterprise needs to know its numbers and ensure Its cashflow—the lifeblood of the organization. What does it mean to know your numbers? It starts with a good product and or service; it continues with business acumen and is crowned with financial acumen.

Learn the key elements and tools for knowing your numbers and ensuring healthy cashflow.

Speaker: Eddy Sumar of Synergist LLC

Track 5:
Unlocking Financial Potential: Navigating the Landscape of Access to Capital for Businesses

SBDC consultants will walk clients through the traditional lending process, loan packaging steps and provide a loan readiness checklist. Attendees will also learn about the importance of credit, how to build credit, and how the SBDC Team can help.

Speakers: Nate Jemison and Sasha Globa of SBDC LA

Track 6:
Strategic Outreach: Mastering the Art of Marketing to Corporate and Government Entities

Attendees will learn the value of market research, capability statements and how to tailor their marketing strategy specifically to government entities and corporations.

Speakers:
Nuha Nazy and Emilia Rogowska, Advisors with SBDC LA

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, assisted listening devices, sign language translation, and Braille transcripts are available upon request.

Contact the Economic Development Office at 818-548-2005 at least 72 hours (three business days) before the event for requests regarding sign language translation and Braille transcription services.

Assisted listening devices are available same day upon request. Additionally, if you require any foreign language interpretation, please contact the Economic Development Division at least 72 hours (three business days) before the event.