Business Development Certification Program

Our Business Development Certification Program is a 9-module series that has become a hallmark initiative providing business owners with the essential tools for sustainability, growth, and success. Since 2017 the program has grown into an educational tool for businesses. 

 

Free to chamber members, participants learn about innovative business planning, business banking, leadership skills, accounting strategies, technology in business, marketing strategies, and human resources components. 

 

Upon successfully completing the series, participants of the series receive a certificate of completion and are honored at a graduation ceremony, marking their commitment to excellence and readiness to navigate the evolving landscape of modern business with confidence and  competence.


Notably, women have emerged as a dominant demographic within our program, consistently comprising a significant majority of graduates. In 2019, an impressive 80% of graduates were women, a trend that continued with 71% in 2020, 73% in 2021, and 63% in 2022. These statistics underscore the invaluable contributions and remarkable commitment of women in entrepreneurship.

Educating

Our members and providing valuable resources is a way to strengthen the business community resulting in increased business success. Over the last two years, the speakers for each seminar have been carefully vetted and chosen by the BDCP committee. The series has a network of speakers who provide valuable insights on their topic of specialty.

Registration

Registration is available for each individual module, however, completion of at least 7 modules will grant you a certificate of completion of our program.

2024 Program Schedule

January 18 - Success Mapping: Innovative Business Planning

February 15 - Capital Wisdom: Navigating Business Banking

March 21 - Command & Inspire: A New Era of Leadership

April 18 - Gateway to Growth: Laredo's Business Permitting Guide

May 16 - Fiscal Fitness: Accounting Strategies for Success

June 20 - Future-Proof: Leveraging Technology in Business

July 18 - Content & Clicks: Marketing Strategies for the Modern Market

August 22 - The HR Toolkit: Customer and Employee Management

September 5 - The Success Summit: A Next Level Discussion

September 25 - Graduation