Small-business conference set for Friday
Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/65598/
ROGERS — New ideas, smallbusiness forecasts and trends, and even a bit of free advice will be offered to small-business owners, employees and entrepreneurs at the second Arkansas Small Business Conference at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers on Friday.
The conference, hosted by the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Council and presented by the Arkansas Occupational Health Clinic and Sam’s Club, will feature professional-development seminars and informative speakers from 8 a. m. to 4: 30 p. m.
Twelve educational seminars will feature top-caliber speakers on a wide variety of topics designed to help every business, with sessions covering legal questions, hiring advice, cash-flow management and marketing tips and tricks.
“ The conference will offer something for everyone, with topics specifically offering help to entrepreneurs just starting out, along with seminars offering new information for seasoned pros, ” said Gretchen Laffoon, director of Workforce and Small Business for the chamber. “ Marketing topics were especially popular at the last conference, so three speakers covering marketing topics were included in this year’s lineup. ”
Seminars on social networking, maximizing the potential of Web sites, and defining an audience for targeting advertising are planned for the event.
In addition to the seminars, the event will also include two general-session speakers, a small-business expo and an awards luncheon for smallbusiness pacesetters.
Highlighting the day will be a keynote address by Joseph Michelli, author of the bestselling book “ The Starbucks Experience. ” Practical, proven ideas and strategies for smallbusiness success will be the message from Michelli.
The “ Small Business of the Year” awards luncheon sponsored by the Arkansas Occupational Health Clinic and Sunbelt Business Advisers of Mid-America will honor 12 monthly award winners before the announcement of the 2008 “ Small Business of the Year. ”
Tickets for the conference are $ 35 per person, including seminars, the luncheon and the keynote address. Tickets are available online at www. RogersLowell. com, or by calling 636-1240.