>Howard County Economic Development Authority events. Center for Business & Technology Development, 9250 Bendix Road, North, Columbia. Registration required, visit www.hceda.org/thecenter/events.html or call 410-313-6550.

Franchising: The Safe Business. Seminar presented by Lee Meizlesh. Learn how franchising works and why it is so successful. April 20, 2-5 p.m. $25.

Certification: Navigating the Maze. Seminar co-sponsored by AJE Consulting. For small business entrepreneurs to learn about certification and how to qualify for federal, state, county and city certification programs. April 22, 2-5 p.m. $50.

Export Howard County: Focus on Small Business. Sponsored by the authority's International Trade Center. Two-session workshop will examine the steps necessary to launch a business into the global marketplace. April 20 and 22, 6-9 p.m. $99, includes workshop manual and guidebook.