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UID:14849-1788948000-1788951600@thurstonedc.com
SUMMARY:Buy\, Build\, or Franchise: Three Paths to Business Ownership-Webinar
DESCRIPTION:Most people who want to own a business start with the wrong question. They ask what business to start\, when the first question is which path fits them: buy an existing business\, build one from scratch\, or buy a franchise. \nEvery path has a real cost. Buying an existing business gets you cash flow on day one plus whatever problems the seller did not mention. Starting from scratch gives you total control and the longest\, most expensive learning curve. A franchise hands you a proven playbook\, a set of rules you have to follow\, and fees you keep paying. \nIn this session he walks through all three honestly\, then goes deeper on franchising: how much wider the field is than the food brands everyone pictures\, what it costs to get in\, how people fund it\, and what the search actually looks like from the first conversation to signing. \nBring your questions. Live Q&A is built into the hour. \n\n\n\nKey takeaways\nAttendees will leave knowing: \n\nWhich of the three paths fits their money\, their timeline\, and their tolerance for risk\nWhat franchising actually is\, and how far the field goes past the food brands most people picture\, into trades\, senior care\, pets\, fitness\, and business services\nWhat it costs to get into a franchise and the common ways people fund one\, including using retirement savings without an early withdrawal penalty\nWhat you give up inside a franchise\, what stays yours\, and why there is no such thing as a turn-key business\n\nSign up today: https://form.typeform.com/to/HFNC9bcc
URL:https://thurstonedc.com/event/buy-build-or-franchise-three-paths-to-business-ownership-webinar/
LOCATION:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://thurstonedc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Alan-Regala-Business-Webinar.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260924T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260924T133000
DTSTAMP:20260805T145333Z
CREATED:20260702T184310Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T145333Z
UID:14808-1790247600-1790256600@thurstonedc.com
SUMMARY:Real Estate Forum
DESCRIPTION:The Thurston Economic Development Council in partnership with the Commercial Real Estate Development Association\, Washington State Chapter (CREDAWA) will be hosting the annual Real Estate Forum and Luncheon on September 24\, 2026.  The Forum will be held at the South Puget Sound Community College’s conference center in Lacey\, WA  (4220 6th Ave SE\, Lacey) from 11:00 to 1:30.  Registration can be found here: Registration open now!    The theme of this year’s Forum will be based upon the research paper commissioned by CREDAWA\, “Industrial Real Estate is Economic Infrastructure – and Washington Can’t Afford to Ignore It.”  The paper\, its research\, and conclusions will be the subject of a facilitated panel featuring: \n\n\n\nCarter Nelson\, CREDAWA Director of Government Affairs\nDrew Zaborowski\, 2028 CREDAWA President\, Panattoni Development Company\nMorgan Shook\, EcoNW\, the main researcher for the document\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://thurstonedc.com/event/real-estate-forum/
LOCATION:SPSCC Lacey Campus Event Center\, 4220 6th Ave SE\, Lacey\, WA\, 98503\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://thurstonedc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Real-Estate-Forum-Promo-2026.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261008T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261008T140000
DTSTAMP:20260818T214508Z
CREATED:20260818T211216Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T214508Z
UID:14855-1791453600-1791468000@thurstonedc.com
SUMMARY:Saint Martin's University Fall Job & Internship Fair
DESCRIPTION:Employer registration is now open for the SMU Job & Internship Fair! \nJoin us at this event to meet SMU students from a variety of backgrounds and academic programs who are seeking job info\, company info\, jobs\, and internships. \nPreview and Register Here! \nOctober 8th\, 10AM-2PM \nSaint Martin’s University in Lacey\, WA \nThis year we’re managing all employer registrations through Handshake\, our local career services platform. You may even receive another message there if you already have an account. \nTo register for the fair\, you need a Handshake account\, but it’s really easy and free to set up. This will allow you to connect to your company if they’re already in there\, post jobs on Handshake for all the colleges you are connected to\, and see all of our upcoming events. \nAfter registration\, you’ll receive a link/invoice to pay the registration fee. You’ll receive more information as the event gets closer. \nPLEASE RESPOND if you have any issues registering for the job fair on Handshake. We don’t want anything to get in your way. \nThank you! We hope to see you soon!
URL:https://thurstonedc.com/event/saint-martins-university-fall-job-internship-fair/
LOCATION:Saint Martin's University\, 5000 Abbey Way SE\, Lacey\, WA\, 98503
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thurstonedc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/77fcab91-15ed-4316-a570-9b062ba35fa7.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261209T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261209T170000
DTSTAMP:20260805T145309Z
CREATED:20260720T204051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T145309Z
UID:14831-1796803200-1796835600@thurstonedc.com
SUMMARY:Regional Economic Forecast & Innovation EXPO
DESCRIPTION:The Regional Economic Forecast & Innovation Expo has become Southwest Washington's premier economic development gathering\, bringing together public and private sector leaders who help shape investment\, workforce\, infrastructure\, innovation and long-term economic growth throughout the region. \nJoin CEOs\, business owners\, elected officials\, county commissioners\, city managers\, tribal leaders\, developers\, manufacturers\, healthcare executives\, educators\, investors\, nonprofit leaders\, entrepreneurs and economic development professionals from across this 5 county region and beyond. 
URL:https://thurstonedc.com/event/regional-economic-forecast-innovation-expo/
LOCATION:Great Wolf Lodge\, 20500 Old Highway 99 Southwest\, Centralia\, WA\, 98531\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thurstonedc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/24_EXPO_1920x1080_01_EXPO.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270325T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20270325T160000
DTSTAMP:20260805T145248Z
CREATED:20260115T183016Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T145248Z
UID:14715-1805961600-1805990400@thurstonedc.com
SUMMARY:Alliance Northwest
DESCRIPTION:The Premier Business to Government Event in the Pacific Northwest \nThe 40th Annual Alliance Northwest is the largest business-to-government conference in the Pacific Northwest. This event features an exhibit hall\, high-quality workshops and pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings between government representatives\, primes\, and businesses. Hosted by Thurston Economic Development Council\, home of APEX ACCELERATORS\, Alliance Northwest has a strong history of providing quality outreach events for government representatives to connect with small and diverse businesses. \nMarch 25th 2027 \n*Full Agenda is currently in development. \nFor more information\, contact: alliance@thurstonedc.com
URL:https://thurstonedc.com/event/alliance-northwest/
LOCATION:Greater Tacoma Convention Center\, 500 Commerce Street\, Tacoma\, Washington\, 98402\, United States
CATEGORIES:APEX Accelerator
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ORGANIZER;CN="APEX Accelerator":MAILTO:info@washingtonptac.org
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