Loading Events

Events

Build It with #FairfaxEDA

Celebrate National Small Business Week by attending a half-day workshop dedicated to growing your small business in Fairfax County.
Every year, since 1963, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from across the nation through National Small Business Week.
Join the FCEDA and SBA Washington Metropolitan Area District Office, District Director, Antonio Doss, who will kick off the celebration with opening remarks. In addition, hear from local small business experts who will discuss various subjects at the half-day event dedicated to building and growing your small business in Fairfax County. International award-winning, financial planning expert, Ric Edelman, will deliver the keynote address.
Highlights of the celebration include the following:
  • How to start a business in Fairfax County
  • The local Entrepreneur ecosystem and resources for growing your company
  • Best practices for Branding and Marketing your business
  • Financial Management Strategies
  • Human Resource Best Practices
  • Technology Solutions for your small business

    Agenda

    7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
    Registration & Networking Breakfast
    8:00 AM – 8:10 AM
    Welcome Remarks
    Karen Smaw, Director, Business Diversity, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
    8:10 AM – 8:25 AM
    Opening Remarks
    Antonio Doss, District Director, US Small Business Administration, Washington, DC, Area Metropolitan District Office
    8:25 AM – 8:35 AM
    The Value of Economic Development in Fairfax County
    Alan Fogg, Vice President, Communications and Research, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
    8:35 AM – 9:00 AM
    Entrepreneurship 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County
    Karen Smaw, Director, Business Diversity, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
    9:00 AM – 9:20 AM
    Market Intelligence
    Theresa Rhodes, Manager, Business Research, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
    9:20 AM – 9:40 AM
    Commercial Real Estate Options
    Stephen Tarditi, Commercial Real Estate Manager, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
    9:40 AM – 10:00 AM
    Zoning and Permitting
    Meaghan Kiefer, BizEx Partner, Office of the County Executive, Fairfax County Government
    10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
    Keynote Address
    Ric Edelman, CEO, and Co-Founder, Edelman Financial Engines
    10:30 AM – 10:40 AM
    Networking Break
    10:40 AM – 11:05 AM
    Small Business Financing & Financial Management Strategies
    Karlene Sinclair Robinson, Assistant Director, Business Finance Center, Community Business Partnership
    11:05 AM – 11:30 AM
    Marketing and Branding Your Business
    Jen Dalton, CEO, Brand Mirror
    11:30 AM – 11:55 PM
    Technology Best Practices for Startups
    Rosemarie Savino, COO, Gravatate
    11:55 AM – 12:20 PM
    Human Resource Management
    Best Practices for Small Businesses
    Talmar Anderson, CEO, Boss Actions
    12:20 PM – 12:30 PM
    Closing Remarks
    Karen Smaw, Director, Business Diversity, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
    12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
    Networking Luncheon

Click here to register for the event.

For more information, contact Karen Smaw at ksmaw@fceda.org.

Register Now

Event Date May, 8

Event Time 11:30pm - 5:00am

Featured News

August 14, 2026

TekSynap and QTS Ink Leases in Reston with New Headquarters

TekSynap Expands Reston Headquarters With Full-Floor Lease at Reston Town Center Government technology contractor TekSynap is expanding its footprint with a new headquarters at Reston Town Center. The company signed a long-term lease for approximately 26,500 square feet at 11921 Freedom Drive, where it will occupy the building’s entire second floor. TekSynap will relocate from its current Reston headquarters at 1900 Oracle Way, with the new space serving as a core services hub for its growing workforce. “Taking major space in…
Read More
July 31, 2026

Fairfax Welcomes New Quantum Cyber HQ, Startup Spotlights & Accelerate Opportunities

Symmatrics Sets Up HQ in Tysons to Lead Cybersecurity Into the Quantum Age Cybersecurity innovator Symmatrics has opened its new headquarters in Tysons, strengthening Fairfax NOVA’s position as a global hub for cybersecurity, quantum computing and enterprise technology. The company selected Tysons for its proximity to leading technology companies, federal agencies and policymakers, placing it at the center of the nation’s innovation and national security ecosystem. “Opening our headquarters in Tysons marks an important step in Symmatrics’ next phase of growth,” said Walter Raquet, Chair…
Read More
July 17, 2026

From Startup to Global Leader: Why James Quigley Built His Company in Fairfax NOVA

For James Quigley, Fairfax NOVA isn’t just a place to start a business, it’s a place to build, scale, and make a global impact. In 2008, Quigley co-founded GoCanvas at his Reston dining room table. What began as a bold idea, grew into a global leader in field worker collaboration software, serving more than 300,000 users worldwide. In June 2024, Germany-based Nemetschek Group acquired GoCanvas for more than $780 million, a testament to what is possible when visionary entrepreneurship takes root…
Read More