Past Events

Presented in partnership with the Downtown Great Falls Association and the Business Improvement District, this virtual meetup is a peer-to-peer discussion on adaptations downtown businesses have made in response to COVID-19, and how your downtown resource partners can continue to support you. Registration required for Zoom meeting information.

Our GFDA Executive Committee will hold a special meeting this Thursday, March 26, 9:00 AM will be by ZOOM video or call in. Here are the Zoom instructions:   Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/607562208?pwd=Rm1HdzV1ZDVhMklRdDh1QS9zWTExQT09   Meeting ID: 607 562 208 Password: 089859   One tap mobile +13462487799,,607562208# US (Houston) +16699009128,,607562208# US (San Jose)   Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US +1 301 715 8592 US +1…

A peer-to-peer discussion designed for partners who provide assistance to entrepreneurs across the Golden Triangle. We will discuss what you're hearing are the needs of local businesses, and how we can work together to respond appropriately and successfully to the COVID-19 crisis. Registration required for Zoom meeting information.

In this brief, 30-minute webinar we are hoping to give business owners some guidance on marketing, communcation and sales during the COVID-19 crisis. Evaluating a companies human and fixed assets and then being creative in how to utilize them in an alternative way will be discussed. Focus will be given to innovating by solving customer-facing problems

Concerns about Supply Chain Disruption? Join other businesses for a Supply Chain Disruption Virtual Meet Up, Tuesday, March 31, 2 PM; register here. We want to hear from businesses across the Golden Triangle whose supply chain has been disrupted and what you're doing about it. We'd like to hear from you in advance. Contact Barnett at Barnett@GrowGreatFalls.org.

In observance of social distancing guidelines, this board meeting will be conducted via Zoom.   Topic: GFDA Board Meeting Time: Apr 2, 2020 08:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)   Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/661173242?pwd=VzhNT2UyNjhoN1hIWjZxeTBXUlo3UT09   Meeting ID: 661 173 242 Password: 069789   One tap mobile +13462487799,,661173242# US (Houston) +16699009128,,661173242# US (San Jose)   Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646…

In this webinar, Special Assistant to the President, Ben Hobbs will discuss what Opportunity Zones are, how simple it is for investors and entrepreneurs to create funds, and the tax incentives of investing in businesses in qualifying zones. Opportunity Zones were created as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to help stimulate long-term, private sector investment into economic activity in all 50 states and U.S. Territories. Governor Steve Bullock designated 25 Opportunity Zones in metropolitan and…

Do you provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs across the Golden Triangle? We're holding another Resource Partner Meet Up on Thursday, April 2, 2 PM; register here. This Zoom meet up is for our resource partners across the Golden Triangle who provide assistance to entrepreneurs to share knowledge and best practices.

Join GFDA virtually as we chat with fellow and potential investors for monthly Development Coffee. Topic: GFDA Development Coffee Time: Apr 3, 2020 07:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/943572267?pwd=Q0JrUEVSaTF1dmNZSm9NK2tSU2FnZz09 Meeting ID: 943 572 267 Password: 033540 Use your computer audio or call one of these two numbers: Dial: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 943572267# OR Dial: 1-346-248-7799 Meeting ID: 943572267#

This is a 2-hour online workshop. The presentation will use slides from QuickBooks Desktop, but the concepts and menu options will also apply to the QuickBooks Online platform. For those new to bookkeeping and experienced folks alike! This QuickBooks course is designed to help entrepreneurs and business managers understand how to best manage their money. And isn't it all about maximizing your profit? QuickBooks Pro Advisor Wendy Weissman, owner of Wendy J Weissman, CPA PC in Great Falls, will take…

In this brief, 30-minute webinar we are hoping to give business owners guidance on how to prepare to do business with government agencies during the COVID-19/coronavirus crisis. Topics will focus primarily on the federal government, but we'll also touch on state and local procedures and opportunities. Our goal is to get business not currently set up into the appropriate systems and then search for solicitations.

Share with and learn from other small businesses at a Small Business Virtual Meet Up, Wednesday, April 1, 2 PM; register here.This is a peer to peer discussion for small businesses across the Golden Triangle. Our business situation is changing daily. What is of most concern to your business right now and for your continued operations. We'll have Coaches on the line and encourage you to submit questions in advance to Jolene at JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org.

This month, The LaunchPoint will be offered digitally in response to COVID-19 guidelines for social distancing. Have you been thinking about an idea and always wondered if you could make it a business? Are you a business owner but not a business school graduate? Are you passionate about the thing you do and don't know how to turn that passion into profit? Join GFDA and the Great Falls Small Business Development Center for The LaunchPoint, a business planning and strategies…

In this brief, 30-minute webinar we will provide business owners possible ways to make your business tougher and may enable it to recover more quickly, including: Staffing problems Incentives for customers to not cancel jobs, or services “Shoe leather” marketing Customer referral/loyalty programs Online freelancing options Strategic, and informal partnerships with your competitors Digital product creating Guerrilla marketing Selling non essential assets Beating your customer’s expectations

If your company plans to do business with the government, cybersecurity plans are now required for compliance. This three hour workshop with nationally recognized presenter, Adam Austin, will step companies through the process of getting compliant with cybersecurity requirements. Description: Adam Austin, Cybersecurity Lead at Totem.Tech--a small business DoD prime contractor--will lead a workshop on the evolving cybersecurity requirements for Federal government contractors. The workshop will focus on the two "complimentary and concurrent" DoD cybersecurity compliance frameworks: the DoD 800-171…

GFDA investors, developers and business people throughout the Golden Triangle, we want your experienced input. How can we recover as quickly as possible and get back to growth and diversification? Time: May 1, 2020 07:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81650354265?pwd=cFo5YWNsK0poRVQ5dit6SnJ0UFZwQT09 Meeting ID: 816 5035 4265 Password: 807700 TOPIC This Development Coffee will focus on: 1) What suggestions do you have for city and county officials to expedite projects that have been delayed by the COVID…

In this brief 30-minute webinar, we will provide some of the basics business owners will need to take into account as they reopen their business during the COVID-19 crisis.

In observance of social distancing guidelines, this board meeting will be conducted via Zoom. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88902131095?pwd=MVJSVXZkNEt0MCtQSzJPMWZhS3pKZz09 Meeting ID: 889 0213 1095 Password: 317117 For best audio, we recommend using your computer, but if you need to dial by phone: +16699009128,,88902131095#,,1#,317117# US

In this brief 30-minute webinar, we will provide some of the basics business owners will need to take into account as they reopen their business during the COVID-19 crisis.

GFDA Investors are invited join Senator Tester for a Zoom call to discuss COVID-19 economic recovery.

Have you been thinking about an idea and always wondered if you could make it a business? Are you a business owner but not a business school graduate? Are you passionate about the thing you do and don't know how to turn that passion into profit? Join GFDA and the Great Falls Small Business Development Center for The LaunchPoint, a business planning and strategies workshop that will walk through the key structures, available tools and why money is important before,…

GFDA Investors are invited join Senator Daines for a Zoom call to discuss COVID-19 economic recovery.

In this brief 30-minute webinar, we will step business owners through the liability concerns when reopening following the COVID-19 shutdown. Employment and labor law attorney with Church, Harris, Johnson, Williams P.C. in Great Falls, Bobbi Berkhof, will inform entrepreneurs why following local, state, and federal recommendations may help protect the business from lawsuits potentially stemming from employees and customers.

One thing that the Covid crisis has taught businesses is that they need to diversify their revenue streams and look to different markets for their customers.  These new customers maybe down the street, in the next town, another state or across the globe.  As such businesses need to have a strong digital presence now more than ever, including a fully functioning e-commerce website.   Our Website  Boot Camp will take take business owners who have no online store to a fully…

Please visit https://growgreatfallsmontana.org/about/governance/executive-committee/ for the agenda and Zoom meeting information.

Have you been thinking about an idea and always wondered if you could make it a business? Are you a business owner but not a business school graduate? Are you passionate about the thing you do and don't know how to turn that passion into profit? Join GFDA and the Great Falls Small Business Development Center for The LaunchPoint, a business planning and strategies workshop that will walk through the key structures, available tools and why money is important before,…

Have your sales been affected by COVD19? If you could would you increase your revenue, sales, traffic, and profitability?  The Destination Creation Course helps businesses do just that. You will define your unique positioning statement about products and services you do better than anyone else. You will pinpoint your most profitable customers and reach more people like them. The proven 14-point business success strategy developed by internationally-known business consultant Jon Schallert teaches techniques to increase your ability to attract customers who are…

Please visit https://growgreatfallsmontana.org/about/governance/board-of-directors/ for the agenda and Zoom meeting information.

In this webinar, we'll discuss addressing the challenges, barriers, team-building, resources, and mindset it will take for entrepreneurs to navigate reopening a business during Covid-19. Presenters Dena Johnson and Kevin Scharfe will discuss how the right state of mind and pivoting your business model can help build consumer confidence and employee buy-in during this challenging time.

Developers, investors and business professionals throughout the Golden Triangle: join us Friday, July 10th at 7 AM as we continue our virtual installment of Investor Development Coffee. Come share and learn from other members with questions, concerns and updates about projects throughout the region. Now more than ever, keeping in touch and discussing how we find opportunities in the trade area is crucial. Join us via Zoom. If you would like to attend the meeting, email TSchreiner@GrowGreatFalls.org or call 406.781.9499…

Please visit https://growgreatfallsmontana.org/about/governance/executive-committee/ for the agenda and Zoom meeting information.

Have you been thinking about an idea and always wondered if you could make it a business? Are you a business owner but not a business school graduate? Are you passionate about the thing you do and don't know how to turn that passion into profit? Join GFDA and the Great Falls Small Business Development Center for The LaunchPoint, a business planning and strategies workshop that will walk through the key structures, available tools and why money is important before,…

Please visit https://growgreatfallsmontana.org/about/governance/board-of-directors/ for the agenda and Zoom meeting information.

This brief 30-minute webinar will walk attendees through the best practices, reporting procedures, and forms to maximize the forgiveness of your Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.