Connect North Marion

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 9:00–9:45am

Start your morning with coffee, light refreshments, and

meaningful connections. Check in, grab your raffle ticket, and begin

networking with fellow business owners and local service providers. 

9:45–10:15am

Visit provider booths, ask questions, and explore available

programs and services tailored to local businesses.

 10:15–10:45am

Know Your Rights, Know Your Resources: Employer Assistance from BOLI
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)

 Learn how BOLI supports employers and employees across Oregon. This session provides an overview of workplace rights, compliance assistance, and employer services available to help businesses navigate labor laws, resolve issues proactively, and build fair, compliant workplaces 

or

 Access to Capital: How Lenders Evaluate Your Business
Rob Kaster, Business Finance Officer, Business Oregon 

 Confused about loans, credit, and what lenders actually look for? This session breaks down common loan types, funding options, and the key factors banks use to assess business loan applications, helping you prepare, apply with confidence, and improve your chances of approval. 

 11:00–11:30am

 Unlocking Government Contracting: An Introduction to COBID Certification
Business Oregon 

Discover how COBID certification can help your business compete for federal, state, and local government contracts. This session covers who qualifies, how to apply, and how certification supports minority-, women-, veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses by increasing visibility, expanding access to procurement opportunities, and connecting businesses to growth-focused resources.

or

 Marketing That Works: Online Tools to Grow Your Business with Purpose
Sarah Whitney, Chemeketa Small Business Development Center 

 Learn how to strengthen your marketing and brand presence while staying true to your values. This session covers practical branding strategies and marketing tools that help businesses attract customers, improve sales, boost profitability, and support sustainable growth whether selling online or in person. 

 11:40–12:00pm

We’ll wrap up by announcing raffle winners and reopening

provider tables—your last chance to make connections, ask follow-up

questions, and leave with resources you can use right away.

  4:00–4:45pm 

Arrive, grab light refreshments, collect your raffle ticket, and start

connecting with fellow business owners and service providers.

 4:45–5:15pm

Visit provider booths, ask questions, and explore available programs

and services tailored to local businesses.

 5:15–5:45pm

Know Your Rights, Know Your Resources: Employer Services from BOLI
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)

Learn how BOLI supports employers and employees across Oregon. This session provides an overview of workplace rights, compliance assistance, and employer services available to help businesses navigate labor laws, resolve issues proactively, and build fair, compliant workplaces.

or

 Access to Capital: How Lenders Evaluate Your Business
Rob Kaster, Business Finance Officer, Business Oregon 

 Confused about loans, credit, and what lenders actually look for? This session breaks down common loan types, funding options, and the key factors banks use to assess business loan applications, helping you prepare, apply with confidence, and improve your chances of approval. 

 6:00–6:30pm

 Unlocking Government Contracting: An Introduction to COBID Certification
Business Oregon 

 Discover how COBID certification can help your business compete for federal, state, and local government contracts. This session covers who qualifies, how to apply, and how certification supports minority-, women-, veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses by increasing visibility, expanding access to procurement opportunities, and connecting businesses to growth-focused resources. 

or

 Cómo Crear un Plan de Negocios (En Español)
Blanca Torres de Hawkins, Chemeketa Small Business Development Center 

 Aprenda los pasos clave para crear un plan de negocios sólido y efectivo. Esta sesión en español cubre los elementos esenciales de un plan de negocios, incluyendo objetivos, estructura, finanzas y estrategias para ayudar a su negocio a crecer y tener éxito. 

 6:40–7:00pm

We’ll close out the evening by announcing raffle winners and offering a final opportunity to reconnect with providers and peers before heading home.