DCRA Hosts 2nd Annual Food Industry Forum

September 3rd, 2014

Last month, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) hosted its second annual food industry forum, Entrée DC. Aspiring entrepreneurs interested in opening a catering, restaurant, delicatessen, bakery or vending business attended breakout sessions led by DC government agency representatives from the Department of Health, the Department of Transportation, the Small Business Administration and others. The panelists covered topics ranging from DC government regulatory processes to the ins and outs of food trucks.

The final panel, moderated by Keith Sellars, WDCEP President & CEO, examined the future market trends in the DC food and drink industry. Attendees received a brief market overview of DC’s retail market trends from WDCEP Research Analyst, Matt Kruczlnicki. Local restaurant owners, including Saied Azali, Owner of Mintwood Place and Perrys Restaurant, shared their personal experience with the booming industry.

In addition, the WDCEP released its newest version of the popular “DC Doing Business Guide” at the event. The DC Doing Business Guide is divided into thirteen chapters covering everything from writing a business plan and defining ownership structure to business insurance and government contracting. The 2014-2015 edition brings all of the same reliable information that the DC Doing Business Guide is known for, plus a more comprehensive “Resource” chapter. This in-depth addition features: a network of organizations that offer technical assistance to entrepreneurs, a list of co-working or shared working spaces available in the city, updated information on new incentives from both the local and federal government, as well as updates on the new Business Service Group from the Department of Employment Services (DOES) that assists entrepreneurs with their hiring needs.

You can view the 2014/2015 Edition of the “DC Doing Business Guide” here.