Friday, February 5, 2010   8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
FREE Seminar:  "What Now?  Is Your Retail / Restaurant Positioned for 2010?"
Explore techniques to improve your service, communicate with your customer, collaborate with other businesses, and run your business as efficiently as possible to stay relevant with today's consumer.
Wheaton Business Innovation Center, Wheaton Building South, 11002 Viers Mill Road, Suite 700, Wheaton
Registration required by February 1:  click here.

Friday, February 5, 2010   12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
FREE Seminar:  "Writing the Executive Summary:  How to Stand out from the Crowd"
Learn to intrigue people with your executive summary, so that they want to see your whole business plan.  Especially useful for those entering the StartRight! Business Plan Competition.
University of Maryland College Park, 1107 and 111 Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building.  Click here to register.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010   10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
FREE Mtech Open Entrepreneur Office Hours
Aspiring and current entrepreneurs with tech-based startups or ideas get advice on  building and financing a startup, developing and protecting intellectual property, navigating the tech transfer process, refining business strategy and more.
University of Maryland College Park, Technology Advancement Program Building, Room 1103
Learn more and register here.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010   5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Rockville Chamber of Commerce Mix & Mingle
Phillips Seafood Restaurant, 1775 Rockville Pike
FREE  to members, $20 for non-members.
Register here.

Thursday, February 11, 2010   4:00 p.m.
FREE Contemporary Social Issues Seminar:  "Innovations in Health Care Delivery"
Learn what several local innovative health care institutions are doing to improve the quality, efficiency, and equity of services provided to the public. 
Speakers: Veronica Nieva, PhD, Westat and Judith Rogers, PhD, MSN, RNC, Holy Cross Hospital
Universities of Shady Grove, Camille Kendall Academic Center, Building III, Room 3241, 9636 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville 
Learn more here.

Thursday, February 11, 2010   6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
MIT Enterprise Forum Startup Lab: Growing Through Buyers
Theme/Industries:  Homeland Defense/Security Technologies
Learn about the common factors most buyers use to evaluate potential supplies by observing the interaction between presenting companies and buyers with current needs. 
Companies with innovative solutions  in high speed computing, cyber security, informatics, or physical security are invited to present their solutions (in 15 minutes) at the event.  Click here for more information.
Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology, 9600 Gudelsky Dr., Rockville
Event is free to MITEF members, $35 for nonmembers.  Register here.

Friday, February 12, 2010   10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
LAST CHANCE!   FREE Seminar:  The ABC's of Starting a Business
What does it take to be an entrepreneur?  How do I get started?  How do I select the right legal form for the business?  Where can I get money for start up?  What is a business plan and why do I need one?  Get the tools to start and grow your small business successfully!
Wheaton Business Innovation center, 11002 Veirs mill Road, 8th Floor, Wheaton, MD
Register here.

Friday, February 12, 2010   2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
FREE TEDCO Funding Briefing
Learn about TEDCO's  primary funding programs for Maryland seed stage companies, including eligibility requirements, proposal submission guidelines, review processes, and reporting requirements.
TEDCO, 5565 Sterrett Place, Suite 214, Columbia, MD
Registration required:  register here.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010  8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
FREE Seminar:  "Using Technology to Meet Your Business Goals"
What technology should you employ to keep your employees productive, make or save money, and retain or get new clients?
Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union, 4831 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, MD
Click here for more information and to register.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010  12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
FREE Tech Transfer Society Brown Bag Forum
Topic: The Biennial Solar house Competition - How it Accelerates Technology Innovation
Speaker:  Richard J. King, Director, Solar Decathlon, U.S. Department of Energy
Southeastern Universities Research Association, 1201 New York Ave., N.W. Suite 430, Washington, DC
Register here.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010  7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
FREE Science Cafe: "Global Warming: Science and Impacts"
Common myths and misconceptions about climate change and its impact on our region, and how to respond to these misconceptions.
Presentation and discussion are free; food and beverages available for purchase.
Speaker: Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel, Federal Climate Scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists
Branded 72 Pit Barbecue, 387 E. Gude Dr., Rockville
For more information, click here.

Thursday, February 18, 2010   10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
FREE Business Coaches Roundtable
"Action Coaching"
Speaker:  Joanne Irving, Ph.D., Principal, The Chrysalis Group
Montgomery County Dept. of Economic Development, 111 Rockville Pike, 8th Floor
Register here.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010   9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
FREE Seminar:  How to Write a Business Plan
Instructor:  Deric Mims, Senior Vice President, SunTrust Bank and Director of the SunTrust Small Business Center
This seminar will cover all aspects of the business plan.
Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville
Register here.

Sunday, February 28, 2010   1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
FREE Seminar:  "Deduct This!  New Tax Tips for Your 2009 Return" 
Learn about 2009 tax law changes in the first time homebuyer credit, making work pay credit, earned income credit, child tax credit, residential energy tax credit and others. 
Presenter:  Richard Gottfried, CPA
A Twinbrook Citizens Association Outreach Event Open to All
Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville

Friday, February 26, 2010  7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
REDI Board Meeting
REDI Offices
RSVP to 301-315-8096

Wednesday, March 3, 2010  7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
FREE:  Shulman Rogers Employment Roundtable - "Understanding What to Do When Your Employees Can't or Won't Come to Work"
Discussion includes the Family and Medical Leave Act, state leave laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act, workers compensation absences, and more.
Shulman Rogers Conference Center, 1505 Park Potomac Ave., 6th Floor, Rockville, MD
Limited seating: reservations required.  RSVP at 301-231-0924 or here.

Thursday, March 4, 2010   4:00 p.m.
FREE Contemporary Social Issues Seminar:  "Barriers to Employment for People with Mental Illness"
Learn the barrier of lack of access to treatment or employment support services can be overcome to help people with mental illness return to work.
Speakers: William Frey, PhD, and Roline Milfort, PhD, Westat and Shree Paralkar, St. Luke's House
Universities of Shady Grove, Camille Kendall Academic Center, Building III, Room 3241, 9636 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville 
Learn more here.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010   9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
FREE Seminar:  How to Write a Business Plan - Focus on the Market Research and Marketing Sections
Instructor:  Susan Prince, President, Cadence Marketing
Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville
Register here.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010  7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
FREE Science Cafe: "Buzz About Bees"
Speaker:  Jay Evans
Presentation and discussion are free; food and beverages available for purchase.
Branded 72 Pit Barbecue, 387 E. Gude Dr., Rockville
For more information, click here.

Monday, March 15 - Friday, March 19, 2010
Rockville Business Appreciation Week
Thank you, Rockville businesses, for choosing to make Rockville your corporate home!  If you would like a Business Appreciation Team to come visit your business, please contact REDI at 301-315-8096 or click here.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010   12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
FREE Tech Transfer Society Brown Bag Forum
Topic: TBA
Southeastern Universities Research Association, 1201 New York Ave., N.W. Suite 430, Washington, DC
Register here.

Friday, March 26, 2010  7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
REDI Board Meeting
REDI Offices
RSVP to 301-315-8096

REDI Inclement Weather Policy:  REDI Business Plan Writing Seminars will only be cancelled if the Montgomery County Government closes.  REDI is not tied to the public school system.  If schools are delayed or closed but the County Government is open, our seminar will be held as scheduled.
Many events that are publicized on this website are given by REDI partners.  Please check the individual event websites for partner inclement weather policies.

Are you a woman-owned business in MD, DC or VA?  Submit your business plan to the 2010

Women's Business Plan Competition!  Click here for the promo flyer, and click here for complete rules. 

Thank you to our sponsors:

REDI Executive Director Sally Sternbach is a Woman Business Leader of Maryland.  Click here to see her profile.

Do you have 5-10 years of technology business, management or development experience?  Would you like to start a tech-based business?  The Innovate! or ACTiVATE programs will teach you how!  Click here for information about Innovate! upcoming information sessions; click here for more information about ACTiVATE upcoming information sessions.

Join the new Rockville Chamber of Commerce - Clean Currents Energy Co-op!  Your business can save money on energy costs and conserve resources at the same time.  Contact Andrea Jolly, 301-424-9300 or click here.

Rockville Town Square has new paid parking hours.  Click here for details.   Download REDI's Parking Guide (keep in mind that hours on the guide have changed, but the locations and instructions for using the parking machines are correct.)

The main federal web site for information on Stimulus Funding is www.recovery.gov.

Montgomery County businesses can find current federal stimulus and other federal contract and grant opportunities at the Montgomery County Stimulus Opportunity System.  Click here.

Maryland companies can connect with federal stimulus contracting opportunities at the ARRA Business Connection.  Maryland business can access a comprehensive online resource guide to all of Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City, including information on how to access capital, do business with Maryland's federal facilities, market products/services and recruit and train employees at the Maryland Business Connection.

Maryland startups that can improve air or water quality around the Chesapeake Bay area are eligible to apply for investment from the Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund.  Find out more here. __________________________________________________

Buy Rockville!  A dollar spent locally
circulates locally between six and
eight times!  Click here and here to
learn about the Buy Rockville campaign, and here to find local merchants.

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Here are directions  to the Rockville Innovation Center, located in the Arts & Innovation Center Building.  Find out more about this small business incubator. 

Directions to Rockville Economic Development, Inc.
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Rockville Town Square is now open.  Click here for a merchant list.  Plus there are 105 other great restaurants and shops in the rest of Town Center!  Click here to  download the guide to them.
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The Capital Region Small Business Development Center has  satellite office hours in the Rockville Innovation Center, 155 Gibbs Street, on Mondays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Appointments are suggested; call  301-403-0501, ext. 11.

Check out our Rockville company listings!

RockvilleREDI.org En Espaņol