Events
VACOC Featured Events
Overview
This six-week hybrid program is designed for beauty, apparel, accessory, and lifestyle brands looking to break into retail stores.
Wednesdays I September 30 - November 4, 2026 I 2 - 4 p.m. PST
Ready to take your product-based business beyond online sales? This six-week program is designed for beauty, apparel, accessory, and lifestyle brands looking to break into retail and build a strong omnichannel presence. Learn what it takes to get on store shelves, master your pitch to buyers, and develop a scalable retail strategy.
By the end of this program, you’ll have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to land retail partnerships and scale your business successfully. The program culminates in an exclusive in-person event, where you'll showcase your products in a mock trade show setting.
Schedule and Topics:
Session 1: Wednesday, September 30 I 2 - 4 p.m. (Zoom)
Retail Readiness & Financials: Ensure your pricing, margins, packaging, and compliance meet retailer expectations.
Session 2: Wednesday, October 7 I 2 - 4 p.m. (Zoom)
Perfecting Your Pitch & Retail Outreach: Create a compelling pitch deck, learn how to connect with buyers, and navigate retail negotiations.
Session 3: Wednesday, October 14 I 2 - 4 p.m. (Zoom)
Omnichannel Success: Integrate retail with your direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategy to drive brand awareness and customer loyalty.
Session 4:Wednesday, October 21 I 2 - 4 p.m. (Zoom)
Scaling & Expanding Retail Partnerships: Learn how to evaluate performance, manage inventory, and expand into new retail channels.
Session 5: Wednesday, October 28 I 2 - 4 p.m. (Zoom)
Preparing for Buyer Events: Develop professional materials, refine your pitch, and get ready to present to industry buyers.
Session 6: Wednesday, November 4 I 12 - 4 p.m.* (In Person - Fullerton, CA)
*Address to be announced; time includes participant's setup and breakdown.
Mock Trade Show: Showcase your brand in a live mock trade show setting and establish valuable industry connections and feedback.
Please note that attendance at all sessions is mandatory to participate in the mock trade show.
Limited spots are available – register today!
*Please note that only attendees who join our sessions live will receive access to the webinar's recording.
Overview
Looking to learn more about trademarking your business? Join us in this webinar to understand the trademark needed to protect your business!
Join us in collaboration with the USPTO for a discussion about what all entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startups should know about trademarks. We’ll discuss what trademarks are, the benefits of federal trademark registration, and the basics of the registration process. We’ll also talk about why it’s so important for any new business to select a trademark that is both federally registrable and legally protectable. We’ll close out the discussion with a Q&A session and direct you to free resources from the USPTO.
*Please note that only attendees who join our webinar LIVE will receive access to the webinar's recording. A recording will NOT be provided to those who miss the session.
Overview
Join this webinar to learn about EXIM Bank and how they can assist you in your global venture!
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | Noon - 1 p.m. | Online (Zoom)
Join us for a candid conversation with Paul Duncan, Regional Director of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), as we explore how the federal government's premier export finance agency helps American businesses compete globally. Whether you're preparing for your first international sale or expanding into new markets, understanding how to leverage EXIM's resources can help you compete more confidently, protect your business from payment risk, and unlock new opportunities around the world.
Join this session to learn more about:
What EXIM does and doesn't do.
Who qualifies for its programs.
How export financing, credit insurance, and loan guarantees can help reduce risk, improve cash flow, and support international growth.
Only live attendees will receive a copy of the recording and slide deck after the webinar. If you miss the session, these materials will not be shared.
Overview
Attend this webinar to gain practical knowledge to trade smarter across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2026 | 11 AM - NOON | ONLINE
Expand your business across North America with confidence by understanding your rights and opportunities under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This webinar will provide a practical overview of how U.S. businesses can leverage the agreement to reduce costs, streamline cross-border trade, and remain compliant with customs requirements.
Participants will learn the fundamentals of USMCA, including eligibility for preferential tariff treatment, Rules of Origin, and Certification of Origin requirements. The session will also cover common compliance pitfalls, best practices for maintaining proper documentation, and strategies for minimizing customs risks. Whether you are new to exporting or looking to strengthen your trade compliance program, this webinar will equip you with practical knowledge to trade smarter across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Only live attendees will receive a copy of the recording and slide deck after the webinar.
Overview
Choosing the Right Legal Structure for Your Business
Forms of Ownership
Thursday, November 5, 2026 I 10 - 11 a.m.PST
Are you launching a new venture or thinking about restructuring your current business, but feeling overwhelmed by the legal alphabet soup of LLCs, corporations, and partnerships?
Choosing how to structure your business is one of the most critical decisions you will make. It impacts everything from your daily operations and taxes to how much of your personal assets are at risk. Join the OCIE SBDC and guest speaker, Lucius C. Davis III, the Small Business Liaison in the Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate’s Office from The Franchise Tax Board, for this highly requested and essential presentation: Forms of Ownership.
In this clear, straightforward session, we will demystify the pros and cons of the most common business structures so you can confidently choose the one that aligns with your goals.
What You Will Learn:
The Big Four: A deep dive into Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, Corporations, and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs).
Pros & Cons: The legal, financial, and operational advantages and disadvantages of each structure.
Step-by-Step Filing: Specific, actionable instructions on the filing process and requirements for each ownership form.
The Right Fit: How to evaluate your specific business needs to make the best, most secure choice for your future.
Who Should Attend? Aspiring entrepreneurs, new startup founders, and current small business owners are looking to formalize or change their legal structure.
Meet Our Presenter: Lucius C. Davis III is the Small Business Liaison in the Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate’s Office. He assists with the development of small business education and outreach programs in order to help business owners better understand their income tax requirements and responsibilities. He also provides information about the Franchise Tax Board’s (FTB) programs and services that are available to them.
*Only attendees who join the webinar live will gain access to the webinar recording and material.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/forms-of-ownership-tickets-1993564957453?aff=flyer
Overview
Join us to learn how to manage shipping operations more effectively and support your business growth.
WEDNESDAY | NOVEMBER 18, 2026 | NOON - 1 PM | ONLINE
Whether you're importing or exporting, understanding logistics is essential to keeping your operations efficient and cost-effective.
From navigating shipping documentation to understanding transportation costs and tracking shipments, logistics can quickly become complex. Join us to learn the fundamentals of logistics and gain practical strategies to streamline your processes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and move goods with greater confidence. This session will provide the knowledge and tools to help you manage shipping operations more effectively and support your business growth.
Only live attendees will receive a copy of the recording and slide deck after the webinar.
Overview
Looking to support local small businesses and do some holiday shopping? Don't miss out on our Small Business Saturday Marketplace!
Celebrate Small Business Saturday at the SBDC Shop & Celebrate Marketplace!
Support your local community during this year's Small Business Saturday by joining us at the SBDC Shop & Celebrate Marketplace hosted by the CSUF SBDC in collaboration with the City of Anaheim Economic Development Department and the Orange County Women’s Business Center!
Come discover unique products and delicious food from 50 amazing small businesses in your area. This is the perfect opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping while enjoying great food and a vibrant atmosphere.
Featuring local food vendors, handmade products, and more!
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Brookhurst Community Center - 2271 Crescent Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801
Bring your family and friends, and let's celebrate the heart of our community — small businesses.
There is no cost to attend, but an RSVP is required, so RSVP today!
Overview
Join this webinar to learn how to thrive in diverse markets with actionable insights to optimize your existing global operations.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2026 | 10:30 - 11:30 AM | ONLINE
In today's interconnected world, expanding your business internationally offers immense opportunities and unique challenges. This webinar is designed for entrepreneurs and business leaders eager to expand their horizons beyond local markets. Join us as we delve into key topics such as understanding cultural nuances, navigating regulatory environments, leveraging global market trends, and developing robust international business plans.
Whether you're looking to take your first steps onto the international stage or aiming to optimize your existing global operations, this webinar will provide you with actionable insights and best practices to thrive in diverse markets.
Only live attendees will receive a copy of the recording and slide deck after the webinar.
Community Events
The annual Go Green & Health Expo is the largest and most heavily attended of FACCOC’s signature events. Businesses hailing from the “green” space– eco-friendly, conservation focused, sustainability conscious businesses, or businesses in the “health/wellness” space– vitamins/healthy living, holistic practices, mental wellness– take center stage at this event.
Additional participating business are those support businesses that provide operational support services, or even big businesses that want to exhibit the eco-friendly efforts their companies have enacted.
This expo style format allows these businesses to exhibit and allows attendees to come learn what is available in the market and to support those businesses.
Aside from the main exhibitor hall, a keynote address and informational panels are typical program components of this event, making sure that participants get a full opportunity to meet, greet, learn and connect throughout the day.
The Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association (VAALA) is excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for Viet Film Fest 2026, As the largest international Vietnamese film festival in the diaspora, Viet Film Fest 2026 will expand its in-person festival to four days, taking place from October 8–11 at The Frida Cinema, followed by a virtual festival from October 12–25, giving audiences more opportunities to experience Vietnamese stories from around the world.
With more than 66 films selected for this year’s festival, including a record number of 21 feature films and 45 short films, Viet Film Fest 2026 showcases stories from 13 nations: the United States, Vietnam, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, and Taiwan.
2 Ways to See the Festival
Online At-Home
Login to our virtual festival on your device or TV to host your screening at home!
IN-PERSON
One admission ticket per person and all screenings will be held in the Frida Cinema in Santa Ana.
Past Events
Click on each event to see more photos!
