In Eight Short Weeks You Could Be On The Way To Launching A Tech-StartUP!

If you have a new, tech-based business idea or you are developing an innovative product, process, or software application, you’ll want to check out this program! As part of the Startup Alleghenies initiative, the BF TechCelerator@Johnstown is providing a business startup accelerator, along with one-on-one mentoring sessions, for emerging tech-entrepreneurs.

Beginning Tuesday, July 10, 2018, the eight-week program will be held in alternating locations which include 814 WORX and the JARI Center for Business Development. Our Accelerators are free of charge, but space is limited. Contact Jerry Hudson at or José Otero at .

Business mentoring from Ben Franklin’s Transformation Business Services Network and local economic development and startup experts will be available at no cost. General topics to be discussed over the eight weeks include:

  • Customer discovery
  • Business and revenue models
  • Value propositions
  • Legal issues
  • Cost structures and more.

You’ll come away from this experience with a viable business model as well as a list of networking contacts and a concrete path forward. However, perhaps the most important thing you will gain is the confidence that comes from knowing if it’s the right time for you to start your own tech-business – or not.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Not only will you receive up to $1,000 to help with your initial accounting, legal, or customer discovery costs, you will also have the chance to pitch your business idea to a panel of judges at the completion of the eight weeks. If you win, you could be awarded up to $10,000 in seed funding to help get your startup UP and running.

Not sure if a TechCelerator is right for you? Check out this video of a recent graduation event held in Altoona.

QuickBooks Online

On Tuesday, May 22nd, Lynn Rovan, Barnes Saly & Company, will present QuickBooks Online. Attendees will receive a general overview of QuickBooks while learning to select company and user preferences and the setup of chart of accounts. Attendees will also learn about invoicing and payments, billing and paying bills, bank reconciliation and reporting.

This Lunch & Learn will be held at JARI Center (160 Jari Drive, Johnstown, PA) from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM. The cost to register is $5 per person and lunch will be provided. Please click here to register by May 21st. No shows on the day of the event will be billed.

Government Contracting Series Topics Announced

The JARI PTAC invites you to attend the Government Contracting Series workshop sponsored and presented by Wessel & Company on Thursday, May 31, 2018. As a manufacturer, a service company, or a technology firm, you already have the right tools to produce a quality product, execute high level service, or deliver the latest and greatest technology. To be successful in federal government contracting, you also need to be equipped with the right tools to manage contract risk, stay compliant, and make a profit. Being duly informed of regulations, requirements, and best practices are all crucial for success.

The Government Contracting Series workshop will include updates on certified cost and pricing, proposed new rules from FAR Council and GSA and the new lease standard. Additionally, the session will include a presentation on Indirect Rates—Importance and Uses including discussion on different rates overhead, material, engineering and sg&a, uses for proposals as well as rolling rates forward for provisionals.

This educational program is intended for program managers, contract, procurement, or finance professionals who are involved with companies that have prime or subcontracts with the Federal Government (or companies who want to begin to get involved with government contracts).

Click here for flyer details. For more information and tickets go to www.showcaseforcommerce.com. Please contact us with any questions and for all your government contracting assistance needs at (814) 254-4022 or (814) 254-4023 or via email at .

2018 Showcase for Commerce

The 28th annual Showcase for Commerce will be held May 30 through June 1 in downtown Johnstown.

As always, there are great opportunities for developing relationships with decision makers at all levels over the 3-day event.

The 24th annual BAE Systems/Showcase for Commerce golf outing will be held on May 30 at Sunnehanna Country Club. If you are interested in registering for one of the few slots remaining, please contact Cindy Saylor at or 814.262.8369.

For a complete agenda of Showcase events, click here.

We look forward to seeing you at Showcase!

Expertise Matters Webinar

Dave Mastovich, MASSolutions, will present “Salespeople are from Venus, Marketers are from Mars: Learn How to Leverage Both to Maximize Your Bottomline” on Wednesday, May 2nd, for a JARI Expertise Matters webinar. Webinar participants will learn why marketing should drive sales, efficiency vs. effectiveness, and how to meet a sales’ short-term agenda while adhering to a marketing’s long-term goals. They will also be able to organize a team and deliverables to increase productivity with the No BS Marketing Sales Takeaways Workbook.

This Expertise Matters webinar will be held online beginning at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 2nd. The cost is free but registration is required. Click here to register by Tuesday, May 1st.

You and Your Credit Score

On Thursday, April 26th, Angela Gorzelsky, Johnstown Credit Bureau, Inc., will present “You and Your Credit Score.” Attendees will learn what credit is and why their credit is score is so important. They will also be able to learn the ‘who’ and ‘how’ of scoring.

This Lunch & Learn will be held at JARI Center (160 Jari Drive, Johnstown, PA) from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM. The cost to register is $5 per person and lunch will be provided. Click here to register by April 17th.

Managing Your Stress in Your Small Business

On Thursday, April 19th, regional experts from a variety of fields will discuss the definitions, triggers, physiological effects, varying intensities, and progressive stages of stress and its impact on us. Attendees will learn how to balance the demands of their career, family and personal life as well as rethinking priorities each day to be in control, keeping high energy levels and become a more productive business owner by reducing stress levels. Attendees will also be able to walk away with the knowledge to effectively manage stress.

The following professionals will serve on the panel: Peter Kosanovich, Penn Highlands Community College; Amy Nielsen, Croyle-Nielsen Therapeutic Associates, Inc.; and Michael Stohon, In-Shore Technologies.

This Lunch & Learn will be held at JARI Center (160 Jari Drive, Johnstown, PA) from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM. The cost to register is $5 per person and lunch will be provided. Click here to register by April 17th.

Leading With Your Heart, Managing With Your Mind

Tuesday, April 17th, Corey Christman, Vethos LLC, will present “Leading With Your Heart – Managing With Your Mind.” Attendees will have an introspective review of who they are and what they stand for, while also exploring the Stimulus Response Theory. They will also learn the power of vulnerability and how to embrace empathic communications to be able to relate to one another in the workplace.

This Lunch & Learn will be held at JARI Center (160 Jari Drive, Johnstown, PA) from 12 PM to 1:15 PM. The cost to register is $5 per person and lunch will be provided. Click here to register by April 16th.

Entering the Downstream Petrochemical Value Chain Workshop

Catalyst Connection is offering the Entering the Downstream Petrochemical Value Chain workshop next Wednesday, April 11th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM to manufacturing companies looking to enter or grow market share in the existing and emerging shale gas sectors.

This workshop will focus on opportunities in the downstream petrochemical economy as a result of new natural gas refinery plants (such as Shell Chemical’s “cracker plant”) that are currently being built or planned.

The cost of this workshop for attendees (valued at $300) has been subsidized with a grant provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) through the West Virginia University Research Corporation. Each attendee will only pay $50 for the day!

Click here to view the workshop agenda and to register.

Showcase for Commerce

Registration is open for Showcase for Commerce, May 30-June 1, 2018.

Showcase brings local, regional, national and international businesses together to expand business opportunities. Join us to learn the latest news from acquisition and legislative leadership. Network with other businesses or explore possibilities to grow into new markets or build your supply chain.

Look for upcoming announcements about this year’s special guests and speakers. For more information or to register, please visit www.showcaseforcommerce.com.