Business Development Workshops

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Interactive Live and Online Workshops!

The Economic Opportunity and Development Division works with a variety of local organizations and professional groups to provide business development programs and services to Cambridge residents, entrepreneurs, and businesses. 

Click here for a list of previously recorded workshops and events that are now available for viewing.

Please note - Registrations close 2 HOURS BEFORE the workshop begins (unless otherwise noted below). Classes may be canceled or postponed due to lack of registration. Please call the Division at 617/349-4637 to check the status of a workshop.  

All workshops are free for Cambridge business owners and residents unless otherwise noted. If you have questions about our workshops, please contact Rona Abrahams at rabrahams@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4637.       

March

Grow Your Business with AI Workshop Series

Spend less time managing and more time growing your business! Join our two-part AI workshop series to simplify marketing and win contracts faster. Get a practical toolkit to implement AI on your own. Stop the busy work and start using AI to boost productivity and results.

Workshop #1: Automate Your Marketing with AI
Marketing takes a lot of time, and old tools can be slow and frustrating. In this workshop, we’ll show you how to use new AI tools to manage your digital marketing for you. You’ll practice how to set up AI to manage your online presence. Get a "how-to" guide so you can manage these tools on your own and spend your time looking for new business (like government contracting!) instead.

  • Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
  • Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: Cambridge Public Library - Main Branch, 449 Broadway, Community Room

Workshop #2: Use AI to Win Government Contracts
Applying for government contracts (like with the City of Cambridge) can involve a lot of paperwork and documentation. You will practice using AI tools like Google Gemini and ChatGPT to gather data, respond to the request and organize the documents required. Get a "cheat sheet" of prompts (commands) that tell the AI exactly what to do so your applications are professional and ready to submit. 

  • Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: Cambridge Public Library - Main Branch, 449 Broadway, Community Room
  • Registration is required. Register Here.

Succession Planning Conversations: Local Stories about Selling Your Business

Join us for a coffee talk about small business succession planning. Hear stories from local businesses about their experience selling or buying their business. This event is best for small business owners and organizations that support small businesses. It is open to all and not limited to Cambridge. This event is moderated by John Allen of Allen Business Advisors and sponsored by the Cambridge Community Development Department.
  • Date: Friday, March 13, 2026
  • Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
  • Location: Sullivan Chamber, Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave.
  • Registration Required. Register Here.