Building Blocks 101: Essentials for Starting a Business - Sioux City, Iowa
2025-07-08 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Western Iowa Tech Community College, 4647 Stone Avenue, Sioux City, IA, 51106, United States
Thinking about starting your own business? Not sure where to begin?
Join the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Western Iowa Tech for our Intro to Business Workshop — a free, monthly session designed to help new and aspiring entrepreneurs build a solid foundation for success.

Each workshop will walk you through the essentials of launching a business, including business structure, strategic planning, and critical next steps. Whether you have a fully formed idea or are just starting to explore entrepreneurship, this workshop will give you practical tools, resources, and expert advice to confidently move forward.

Workshops are held the first Tuesday of every month. Tuesday, July 8th 12:00 PM (Noon) Western Iowa Tech Community College4647 Stone Avenue, Sioux City, IARoom L136 (across from the cafeteria)

Cost: FREE
More info: Building Blocks 101: Essentials for Starting a Business – Iowa SBDC

2025 Small Business Marketing Meetup - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-07-11 10:00 - 14:15 | Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E. 29th ST. N., Wichita, KS, 67260, United States
Elevate your marketing with real-world strategies, expert insights, and practical tools designed for small businesses. This year’s Marketing Meetup brings together marketing professionals, educators, and entrepreneurs for an energizing day of hands-on learning. Dive into sessions on sharpening your marketing strategy, leveraging data-driven research, and uncovering hidden website pitfalls. You’ll also explore the power of Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) to boost your local reach without needing a mailing list.
Walk away inspired and equipped with actionable tactics to improve your customer journey, increase visibility, and drive real results, starting now!
Morning Session
Better Strategy, Better Results – Presented by Doug Stucky- Assistant Dean and Director of Curriculum and Program Development
Work through practical exercises to sharpen your marketing strategy and boost results. Learn to read customer and industry signals, improve the customer journey, and stand out in your market—all while building a focused, winning strategy you can start using immediately.
Breakout Session
Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) – Presented by Koell Collins- Wichita American Marketing Association, Programming VP & Founder, STBL Strategies
Learn how to use EDDM, a low-cost USPS program, to target neighborhoods without a mailing list. Discover how this powerful tool can help small businesses and local organizations increase visibility and grow their customer base efficiently.
Breakout Session
The Hidden Costs of a Bad Website – Presented by Marisa Vanskiver- CEO and Senior Educator
Discover how your website might be secretly costing you leads and sales. This talk reveals the hidden drains of poor user experience (UX) and inaccessible design, and then provides simple, actionable tweaks you can implement right away to boost your online performance and stop the leak of potential revenue.
Afternoon Session
From Ideas to Impact: Using Research To Build Your Business – Presented by Dr. Lynn Matthews- Assistant Professor of Marketing, Barton School of Business, Wichita State University
Turn instincts into impact by learning how to use research to guide your business decisions. Discover how to frame the right questions, choose effective research methods, and apply insights that drive smart, strategic growth.
Date: Friday, July 11th, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 2:15 pm (Check-in at 9:30 am)
Cost: $10.00 to attend. Registration is required.
Registration closes on Monday, July 7th, 2025
More Info: 07/11/25 – Small Business Marketing Meetup
**Disclaimer: Sessions will not be recorded. However, all attendees will receive presentation materials via email after the event. Lunch will be available for purchase. Please note that per SBDC policy, refunds are not available. Free parking is provided at the WSU Metroplex.

Shop Kansas Farms - Market of Farms at The Heritage Andover
2025-07-12 09:00 - 15:00 | The Heritage in Andover, 360 South Heritage Way, Andover, KS, United States
We’re thrilled to announce our next Market of Farms will take place at The Heritage in Andover on July 12! This stunning new development blends luxury apartments, vibrant commercial spaces, and scenic views with a welcoming public plaza.
For a unique twist, we’ll be setting up inside the parking garage — offering a fresh and exciting atmosphere unlike any of our previous Market of Farms events.
Sell your products to consumers who want to connect directly with growers.
For more info: Andover Market of Farms sponsored by The Heritage | Shop Kansas Farms | Brought to you by Kansas Farm Bureau

Kansas Farm Bureau's Communication, Media and Spokesperson Training
2025-07-16 13:00 - 2025-07-17 20:30 | Holiday Inn Express in Hays, KS, 4650 Roth Ave, Hays, KS, 67601, United States
Join the Communications, Media & Spokesperson Training on July 16–17 in Hays, and learn how to confidently represent your farm, your values and your role in feeding Kansas and beyond.
Why You Should Attend
Learn how to clearly and powerfully share your farm’s story through media interviews, public events and online platforms.
Get hands-on experience in public speaking, storytelling and handling tough questions with confidence.
Build your skills to become a trusted voice in your community and an advocate for local food systems.
Connect with fellow producers and communicators who share your passion for Kansas-grown food.
This free, two-day training includes meals and lodging and it’s exclusively for Farm Bureau members.

Applicant shall be a member in good standing with their county Farm Bureau.
Applicant shall be a Farm Bureau member.
Applicant shall complete an application and be willing to meet all time commitments associated with the program held at Holiday Inn Express in Hays beginning at 1p.m. on Wed., July 16 and ending at 8:30 p.m. on Thurs., July 17.

Apply by June 24 to secure your spot.
For more info: Kansas Farm Bureau’s Communication, Media and Spokesperson Training | Shop Kansas Farms | Brought to you by Kansas Farm Bureau

Kansas Local Food Summit - Painting a Vibrant Future
2025-07-29 09:30 - 2025-07-30 16:30 | Kansas Wesleyan University, 100 E Claflin Ave, Salina, KS, 67401, United States
The next Kansas Local Food Summit will be held July 29-30, 2025, in Salina, Kansas.
Anyone working in local food systems or interested in supporting local food system growth is welcome to attend, including producers, consumers, food policy council members, government agency workers, non-profit organizations, food businesses, and more! If you are looking for opportunities to learn how to bolster your local food systems and connect with like-minded Kansans, the Kansas Local Food Summit is a great choice. We have sessions planned that are relevant to a wide range of different food systems interests, including food access, food waste & recovery, food hubs, community engagement, food policy, farm to school, and more.
Visit here for more info: Kansas Local Food Summit
For those planning to arrive in Salina on Tuesday, a hotel block is available at the Hampton Inn in Salina for $114 per night, from Monday, July 28 to Thursday, July 31, 2025. To take advantage of this rate, please make your reservations no later than July 21, 2025. Be sure to adjust the nights to reflect your scheduled needs.
For inquiries regarding cost of attendance or additional information, please contact:
Rebecca McMahon, Program Administrator
Amanda Lindahl, Program Coordinator
Our staff work remotely, so please reach out to us by email:
kansaslocalfoods@ksu.edu
