The City of West Palm Beach is teaming up with Ultimate Image Coach & Academy to empower local small businesses and contractors with a new training series tailored to mastering the ins and outs of responding to Requests for Proposals (RFPs). The "How to Respond to RFPs – Transforming Small Business Success Training Series," slated for Spring 2026, will walk participants through the procurement process and enhance their ability to secure city contracts through effective proposal writing and presentation skills.
Set to take place over six sessions, the workshops will be offered in a hybrid format, accommodating both in-person and virtual attendees. Small business owners looking to up their game can attend the sessions, which will be conducted at City Hall's Flagler Gallery for in-person gatherings or via Zoom. The dates are March 3, 10, 17, 31, and April 7, 14 from 6 – 8 p.m., allowing working professionals to engage without disrupting their workday. According to a recent announcement by the city, the hybrid approach is designed to maximize attendance and flexibility.
A deep dive into the sessions reveals a curriculum spread over six areas, starting with a thorough introduction to procurement, following up with RFP analysis and readiness, and then progressing into effective business writing. Participants will also be taught how to finalize proposals and prepare for oral presentations; hone public speaking skills, and finally, present their business pitches for expert feedback and a graduation celebration. Organizers emphasize the importance of attending all sessions to fully benefit from the program.
Pamela Toussaint, MBA, and Roseline Joseph, two seasoned experts in the field of small business development, will lead the training series. Toussaint, President of Ultimate Image Coach & Academy, and Joseph, Principal of The Answer Management Services, bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the table. Registration is currently open, but with limited spots available, interested businesses should act quickly, as noted on the city's official announcement. For registration and further details, prospective attendees can visit the City of West Palm Beach website.
The initiative underlines West Palm Beach's commitment to nurturing local enterprises and bolstering small business participation in city-sponsored projects, a move that could create a more diverse and economically vibrant community. For more specific information about the series, the city has named Sandra Hammerstein from the Office of Small Business Programs as the point of contact at [email protected].
