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• Inter-Chamber Business Mixer

  • When
    March 19, 2025
  •  
    4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Location
    The Heist: 4727 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206

  Register

  EPCC Presents Networking Afterhours. 

  Connect with business professionals from all across Portland. We're inviting members and leadership from each of the Portland-based Chambers of Commerce, as well as the Business Districts across town. Bring your business cards, because you will meet a lot of business owners!

  Thank you so much to The Heist food cart pod for reserving a space for us to meet. The carts will be open to purchase food, and the bar will be open to purchase refreshments. 

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• EPCC Member Spotlight: Cultivate Initiatives

  • When
    March 26, 2025
  •  
    7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    Cultivate Initiatives: 14625 SE Stark St. Portland OR 97233

  Register

  4th Wednesdays are reserved for our members to welcome us into their place of work and tell us all about what they do! Member Spotlights (aka Member hosted) presentations are a great way to really dive in to the nitty gritty and share all about what you have to offer. For this meeting, we're looking forward to getting to know some of our newer members - Cultivate Initiatives. Please note, we will not have a Zoom option for this member spotlight as we will be going on a tour of their space.

  
  

  Cultivate Initiatives is redefining what it means to support our unhoused neighbors. We don’t just provide housing—we build trust, create jobs, and foster belonging. Rooted in East Portland, our low-barrier programs empower people with the highest barriers to stability, from workforce development to supported sheltering and community-driven solutions. We’re not just tackling homelessness—we’re investing in people, in dignity, and in the future of our neighborhoods.

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• Creating (or Re-crafting) a Game-Changing Business Plan, Part 3

  • When
    April 02, 2025
  •  
    4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Location
    Zoom & TBD

  Register

  The East Portland Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce this new series!

  On first Wednesdays this year, instead of our normal AM member meeting, we will host a business education series in the afternoon. We will start with a 3 part series about crafting or re-crafting a business plan, instructed by Ben Nolte.

  This program is offered free to EPCC Members. For those that are not yet members of EPCC, the cost is $270 AND includes your membership for 3-12 months depending on your business size.* (Our membership dues are based on how many employees you have.) Business owners, new and established, are invited to join us for all 3 of these classes – February 5, March 5, and April 2. Those that complete all 6 modules of this course will receive an EPCC Education Certificate.

  Each of the 3 classes will cover 2 of 6 modules. In February, we will start by reviewing an overview about business plans, as well as setting up your company overview. In March, we will dive into polishing your product/service offerings, and go over marketing and sales strategies. Finally, in April, we will discuss management plans as well as financial basics.  

  *Ask us about scholarships - info@eastportlandchamber.com.

  
  

  Course Objectives:

  • Understand the 5 main components of a winning business plan: 1) Company Overview, 2) Product & Service, 3) Sales & Marketing Strategy, 4) Management Team, 5) Financial Summary & Offering.
  • Establish a clear company identity and strategic direction.
  • Develop a value-driven product or service offering.
  • Build a robust, data-driven marketing strategy.
  • Develop a leadership and financial roadmap.

  Program Highlights:

  • Integrated Learning: Each module builds directly into a comprehensive business plan.
  • Expert Insights: Interactive workshops led by industry professionals.
  • Capstone: Write your completed business plan with the tools and insights learned.

  We are so grateful to EPCC Board Member, Ben Nolte, for leading these workshops and sharing his expertise and experience with us. Ben has an extensive list of accolades in the business world including being a finalist in the two business plan competitions - Grow America and Opportunity Quest Business, and won the mission/vision statement competition in BusinessQ Magazine. Ben has written multiple business plans in travel, outdoors, non-profit, construction, and entertainment industries. He is currently the owner of Addventure Center and entertainer for Whistle & Fish.

  
  

  April 2 Details

  Module 5: Management Plan

  • Identify key executive team, management team, strategic partnerships, and board of directors (with bios).
  • Clearly identify the organizational chart and path of accountability.
  • Identify personnel needs.
  • Commitment statement (tied to core values, mission, and vision).

  Module 6: Financial Summary & Offering

  • Understand financial statements and projections: Income statement, Cash Flow, Balance Sheet.
  • Company valuation.
  • Understand the offering: Venture Capital, Angel investing, SBA Lending, Crowdfunding, etc.

  
  

  Instructor Credentials:
  Ben Nolte, MBA

  • Finalist in Grow America and Opportunity Quest Business Plan Competitions.
  • Raised seed/grant capital through the Center of Excellence.
  • Won the mission/vision statement competition in BusinessQ Magazine.
  • Wrote multiple business plans in travel, outdoors, non-profit, construction, and entertainment industries.
  • Earned an MBA through the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business and was an analyst at the university’s Lassonde New Venture Development Center.
  • Earned BS/MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering at BYU. Minor in mathematics and engineering management.
  • Former GM of Fibernet: Used discounted cash flow and market comp valuation tools to value the company, which sold in 2021/2022.
  • International Development instructor/presenter at NGO Conference as president of Adventure Giving.
  • Developed a ‘1-Page Biz Plan’ model and helped/funded entrepreneurs in jungle riverside villages of the Amazon River in South America with micro-loans and micro-capital—adding ‘venture’ to one’s adventure.
  • Owner of the Addventure® Center (www.AddVenture.center).
  • Entertainer/Musician for Whistle & Fish (https://www.instagram.com/whistle.and.fish).
  • Current member of OAME, EPAP, and MusicPortland.
  • On the Board of Directors for the East Portland Chamber of Commerce and President of the Clark Skamania Flyfishers (and 501c3 Conservation nonprofit) (www.CSfly.net).

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• GEAC: Oregon Legislative Session Updates - Transportation

  • When
    April 09, 2025
  •  
    7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    Zoom + MorningStar at Laurelhurst: 3140 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97232

  Register

  Senator Chris Gorsek is co-chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation for the 2025 Legislative Session. Transportation is a key issue this session and he will give us an update on what is being considered for this important issue.

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• EPCC After Hours: Glendoveer Golf Course

  • When
    April 17, 2025
  •  
    4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Glendoveer Golf Course: 14015 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97230

  Register

  Join us for our next EPCC Afterhours, hosted by Glendoveer Golf Course! 

  
  

  Save the date for now, and we will update more info as we get closer. 

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• EPCC Member Spotlight Presentation (TBD)

  • When
    April 23, 2025
  •  
    7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    TBD

  4th Wednesdays are reserved for our members to welcome us into their place of work and tell us all about what they do! Member Spotlights (aka Member hosted) presentations are a great way to really dive in to the nitty gritty and share all about what you have to offer. 

  Some member spotlights include a tour of the member's space and operations; some are on Zoom only; and some are more of an educational offering. It's up to you to show off in your own way!

  Ready to get on the schedule? Reach out to our admin, Jocelyn, at info@eastportlandchamber.com to learn more or sign up. 

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• EPCC Member Spotlight Presentation (TBD)

  • When
    April 30, 2025
  •  
    7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    TBD

  4th (and 5th, in this case!) Wednesdays are reserved for our members to welcome us into their place of work and tell us all about what they do! Member Spotlights (aka Member hosted) presentations are a great way to really dive in to the nitty gritty and share all about what you have to offer. 

  Some member spotlights include a tour of the member's space and operations; some are on Zoom only; and some are more of an educational offering. It's up to you to show off in your own way!

  Ready to get on the schedule? Reach out to our admin, Jocelyn, at info@eastportlandchamber.com to learn more or sign up. 

  Show details