Member Exclusive Events

NWPA Beehive Network Session

April 8, 2025
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation (CORE)
5343 Station Road, Erie, PA 16510

Attend this forum to explore the Northwest Pennsylvania Innovation Beehive Network, a collaborative initiative designed to boost business expansion and development in the Erie area. The Beehive is a network of education centers that encourage business growth in Northwest Pennsylvania.

What You’ll Gain:

• Overview of Each College’s Offerings: Learn about the specific services and resources that Blasco Library, Penn State Behrend, Edinboro University, Gannon University, and Mercyhurst University provide.
• Project Matching: Discover which types of projects are the best fit for each institution within the Beehive network.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with the heads of each program to discuss how you can engage with them and leverage their expertise.

Participating Institutions:

• Gannon University’s Center for Business Ingenuity: Students can assist in refining and communicating your business idea, crowdfunding analysis, pitch decks, start-up capital analysis, & additional start-up resources.
• Mercyhurst University’s Innovation Entente Lab (IEL): Market analysis, competitive business intelligence, funding opportunities research, social media analysis, industry best practices, cybersecurity, data collection & manipulation.
• Penn State Behrend Innovation Commons: Offers assistance with prototype development, engineering challenges, app development, and improving industry operations.
• PennWest Edinboro Center for Branding and Strategic Communication: Design services: logo development, branding materials, web design, packaging design. PR/Marketing services: social media, digital marketing, media relations, podcasting, SEO & more.
• Allegheny Center For Sustainable Development: Services envisioned for the center include product and manufacturing life cycle assessments, renewable energy systems design and installation, and building energy audits.
• Blasco Library: Can help point you in the right direction if you’re unsure where to start.

This forum is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs and businesses to understand how the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network can support their growth and development through valuable resources and expertise.

To register for this event, contact the Center Director, Jacob Jones, at jmj5991@psu.edu.

NWPA Beehive Network Session

May 21, 2025
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

The Corry Higher Education Center
221 N Center St, Corry, PA 16407

Description: This course is designed for business owners who want to leverage data analytics to enhance their financial decision-making. Through practical applications and hands-on learning, participants will gain the skills necessary to analyze key financial data, identify emerging trends, and make data-driven decisions to boost profitability and ensure long-term business success. Topics covered include trend analysis, financial forecasting, cash flow management, cost analysis, and profitability metrics.

Attend this forum to explore the Northwest Pennsylvania Innovation Beehive Network, a collaborative initiative designed to boost business expansion and development in the Erie area. The Beehive is a network of education centers that encourage business growth in Northwest Pennsylvania.

To register for this event, contact the Center Director, Jacob Jones, at jmj5991@psu.edu.

The Power of Intergenerational Leadership and Communication

June 12, 2025
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

142 West 12th St.
Erie, PA 16501

Casie Lucas-Szumigala puts the spotlight on the importance of emotional awareness, empathy, interpersonal effectiveness, coaching, and mentoring to bridge generational gaps.

The event will emphasize the impact of social and emotional intelligence in fostering understanding, improving collaboration, and enhancing productivity among team members of varying age groups. In an era where Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z often work side by side, the ability to connect meaningfully and communicate effectively has become a critical skill.

This seminar will delve into practical strategies to bridge communication styles, manage generational expectations, and build an emotionally intelligent culture that appreciates and leverages each generation’s strengths.

To register for this event, contact the Center Director, Jacob Jones, at jmj5991@psu.edu.

The Power of Intergenerational Leadership and Communication

Building and Leveraging a Family Business Brand

August 5, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation (CORE)
5343 Station Road, Erie, PA 16510

Presented by: Chris Schroeder of Gem City Creative, LLC

Unlock the potential of your family business with insights from branding expert Chris Schroeder of Gem City Creative, LLC. In this engaging event, discover how strategic branding can set your business apart in a competitive market.

What you’ll learn:

• Showcase Multi-Generational Expertise: Learn to leverage the unique perspectives of different generations within your family business to connect with a broader customer base.
• Add Professional Credibility: Ensure customers recognize the expertise and skill within your family business through professional branding strategies.
• Maximize Brand Exposure: Strategically use physical and digital assets to expand your businesses’ reach.

Whether you’re a long-standing family business or just starting out, this event provides actionable strategies to build a strong, recognizable brand that resonates with your target audience.

To register for this event, contact the Center Director, Jacob Jones, at jmj5991@psu.edu.

Bringing the World to PA

International Trade and Marketing: The Building Blocks

September 8, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation (CORE)
5343 Station Road, Erie, PA 16510

Join us for an enlightening session on international trade and marketing led by Dorte Heffernan, an international trade specialist with the Northwest Commission. This event is perfect for businesses looking to expand their horizons into import and export markets.

What You’ll Learn:

• The fundamentals of international trade and marketingStrategies for entering import and export markets
• Key resources available to Pennsylvania businesses for global expansion
• Learn about the comprehensive support offered by Pennsylvania’s export assistance programs, including: Pennsylvania’s Export Assistance Program, Market research and entry strategy development
• Access to Pennsylvania’s global network of Authorized Trade Representatives in over 70 countries
• Potential grants for participating in overseas trade missions and shows
• Export financing options and insurance program

Special Invitation

Don’t miss the opportunity to attend “Bringing the World to PA” on September 15th, 2025. This event promises to be an excellent platform for networking and gaining further insights into international trade opportunities with Trade office and Investment Representatives from over 15 countries will be on hand to talk with your business.

Whether you’re new to exporting or looking to expand your current international operations, this session will equip you with the knowledge and resources to take your business global. Join Dorte Heffernan to unlock the potential of international markets and learn how Pennsylvania’s robust support system can help your business thrive on the global stage.

To register for this event, contact the Center Director, Jacob Jones, at jmj5991@psu.edu.