BRC Bulletin

Volume 5, Issue 18, September 29, 2006

Vending License Orientation Week and Fair, Eighth Annual Public-Private Partnership Conference, Important Tools for Neighborhood Businesses, Valet Parking Regulations, Upcoming Business Classes

1. DCRA Announces Vending License Orientation Week and Fair
2. Eighth Annual Public-Private Partnership Conference Held October 30
3. Learn About Important Tools for Neighborhood Businesses
4. Valet Parking Regulations Published for Public Comment
5. Upcoming Classes on the BRC Website

1. DCRA Announces Vending License Orientation Week and Fair

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) announced today that the moratorium on vending officially lifts October 15, 2006, initiating a 90-day, phase-in period for DCRA to implement its new vending program that begins January 15, 2007.

DCRA is hosting a series of orientation sessions from October 10 through October 17 to educate current and new vendors about new rules, regulations and updated application process. The five, two-hour sessions lead up to the October 19 Vending Fair.

The fair features workshops on vending application basics, vending food regulations, vending merchandising and cart aesthetics. Vendors can also learn the steps to take to become a certified Local, Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (LSDBE) in the District. The fair will also include classes on accessing capital, writing a business plan, preparing financial statements, marketing businesses and working with communities. The fair will also feature a "Vending Best Practices" panel.

Government agencies and local resource providers are partnering with DCRA to provide education and information for everyone interested in becoming a vendor in the District of Columbia.

DCRA Vendor Orientation
Dates: Tuesday, October 10; Thursday, October 12; Friday, October 13; Monday, October 16; Tuesday, October 17
Time: 6 pm to 8 pm
Location: 441 4th Street, NW (One Judiciary Square); Old Council Chambers (1st Floor)

DCRA Vending Fair
Date: Thursday, October 19, 2006
Time: 2 pm to 8 pm
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 901 G Street, NW

For more information, visit DCRA.

The events are open to anyone in the metropolitan area who is interested in becoming a vendor in the District of Columbia. To RSVP, attendees should email or call (202) 442-4512.

2. Eighth Annual Public-Private Partnership Conference Held October 30

The Mayor's Office of Partnerships and Grants Development (OPGD), in partnership with Citibank, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, and the Alliance for Nonprofit Management, announces its Eighth Annual Public-Private Partnership. This year's theme is "Moving Forward: Continued Commitment to Building Partnerships."

Date: Monday, October 30, 2006
Time: 8 am to 4:30 pm
Location: The George Washington University's Cloyd Heck Marvin Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC.

Workshop topics include:

• Proposal Writing;
• Federal Grants Management;
• Partnership Creation;
• Local and Federal Government Funding;
• Foundation Funding;
• International Funding;
• Social Franchise Ventures; and more.

There will be opportunities to network with representatives from local governments, as well as the federal government, local foundations, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations. In addition, an extensive exhibit hall will have information on the latest technology and capacity building opportunities for conferees. Interested exhibitors should contact Jeff Kost, Center for Nonprofit Advancement, at (202) 457-0540.

Register online. The deadline for registration is October 24, 2006. District of Columbia government grants personnel should contact OPGD directly to register.

For additional information on the conference, contact:

• Office of Partnerships and Grants Development by email or call (202) 727-8900
• Center for Nonprofit Advancement by email or call (202) 457-0540

For additional information on the conference sponsors, go to:

• Mayor's Office of Partnerships and Grants Development
• Center for Nonprofit Advancement
• Alliance for Nonprofit Management
• Citibank

3. Learn About Important Tools for Neighborhood Businesses

Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) is offering two classes for local retail business owners:

Façade and Merchandising will give business owners the tools to design a storefront and interior layout to increase sales
Date: October 11, 2006

Capturing a Changing Market will offer principles for every business to make the most out of a changing neighborhood.
Date: October 25, 2006

All seminars will take place from 6 to 8 pm at LEDC, 2316 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC.

To RSVP, call (202) 588-5102 or email.

For more information, visit LEDC. View the flyer*.

4. Valet Parking Regulations Published for Public Comment

On September 8, 2006, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) published proposed regulations* to govern valet parking in the District's public space.

All persons interested in commenting on the proposed regulations may file comments in writing no later than 30 days after the publication in the DC Register.

To provide comments, email or mail to:

Public Space Management Administration
District Department of Transportation (DDOT)
2000 14th Street, NW, 5th floor
Washington, DC 20009

Comments may also be faxed to (202) 671-0636. For questions please call Alice Kelly at (202) 671-2333.

5. Upcoming Classes on the BRC Website

Monday, October 2
6 pm 14th and U Main Street Alliance Monday Mixer, Monthly gathering of business owners, residents and community leaders

Tuesday, October 3
10 am Starting a Business in DC
1 pm Licensing and Tax Office Hours for Businesses, Representatives from DCRA and OTR hold office hours for small businesses
5:30 pm Learn How to Repair Your Credit Yourself
6:30 pm Certificate In Entrepreneurship - Management, Are you an effective manager?

Thursday, October 5
9 am How to Start a Business, Course covers recordkeeping, accounting, marketing and more
1 pm How to Write a Business Plan
1:30 pm LSDBE Application Process Office Hours, Find out if you're eligible for LSDBE certification
6 pm The Secret of Building a Successful Business

Tuesday, October 10
9 am Learn How You Can Write Your Own Business Plan
5:30 pm Learn How to Repair Your Credit Yourself
6 pm Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training, Take part in this community training series from October 10-31

Wednesday, October 11
6:30 pm Nonprofit Staff and Board Development

Thursday, October 12
6 pm Limited Liability Companies, An indepth look at one of the most popular business forms
7 pm How to Market and Sell Your Knowledge Online

Tuesday, October 17
9 am Tax Tips for Small Businesses
5:30 pm Learn How to Repair Your Credit Yourself

Wednesday, October 18
3 pm Procurement Awareness Roundtable, Discover how to position your business for contract awards after you are certified
6:30 pm How to Cut Costs, Increase Profits and Create Wealth Using Business Financial Statements and Ratio Analysis, Part 2 of 2

Thursday, October 19
9 am Writing a Winning Business Plan, Learn to write a plan to start a business or obtain a bank loan.

Friday, October 20
9 am All About GSA Schedules
9 am Selling to the Federal Government

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