Welcome to our biweekly roundup of small business events, conferences and webinars, brought to you as a community service by Small Business Trends and Smallbiztechnology.com.
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Small Business Works: Tools for Small Business – 2011 and Beyond
April 28, 2011, Pittsburgh, PA
Starting a small business or growing your small business? Looking for all the right resources?
Attend the Small Business Works event in Pittsburgh and hear guest speakers, find out about financial options and consult with exhibitors who can help your business be successful! Event partners: Allegheny County, The City of Pittsburgh, Small Business Administration, Small Business Development Center from Duquesne and Building Bridges for Business.
Small Business Roundtable: Strategies to Achieve Success
April 28, 2011, Online
Focus.com roundtable teleconference on April 28th, 2011 at 11am PT/ 2pm ET with Mirna Bard, Anita Campbell, John Carroll, Jill Konrath, John Spence and moderator John Carrol, discussing key business trends and strategies to help you improve business performance and achieve success in any economy. Topics include:
1) Business outlook and key challenges ahead for business leaders
2) Sales & Social Media trends every business should pay attention to
3) How to improve your company’s business results in any economy
FundingPost Angel and Early Stage Venture Event
April 28, 2011, Las Vegas
Interested in meeting early-stage Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists in Las Vegas? If so, then register for the FundingPost event on April 28th! FundingPost has hosted 175+ sold-out venture events in 20 cities over the past 9 years. At this next event, the panel of investors will focus on Early-Stage Venture Investing: How to meet investors, pitch them, and what it really takes to get them to write you a check!
Thrive & Kick It Into Overdrive: Business Solutions That Work Conference
April 29, 2011, Cerritos, CA
THRIVE offers 18 unique educational breakout sessions, keynote speaker, networking, and a resource marketplace … a truly distinctive learning environment that can take your existing business to the next level.
Empowering Women in Agriculture and Small Business
April 29, 2011, Nashville, TN
This conference seeks to educate and empower women, enabling them to return to their businesses, communities and families with new confidence, ideas and techniques to help them better manage finances, communication, marketing, time and stress. The event will also focus on current issues facing agriculture and how to get more involved at the local, state and federal levels to encourage positive outcomes for the industry.
Extreme Business Makeovers
April 29-May 1, 2011, Orlando, FL
This dynamic and transformational “Connectinar” features top-caliber small business thought leaders as well as like-minded, “intentional entrepreneurs” for you to network and form strategic relationships with.
Speakers include such powerhouses as Joel Comm, Frank McKinney and Scott Ginsberg who will teach you how to…
1) Uncover your hidden assets
2) Overcome your challenges
3) Create your action plan to bring you to the next level
GE OMD Summer 2011 Incubator Program
Apply by May 1, 2011, New York City
General Electric and Omnicom’s OMD have partnered to create a 10-week incubator program bringing together the brightest student entrepreneurs to work in New York City for the Summer of 2011. Dubbed the GE-OMD Incubator, the Incubator provides a space where accepted applicants will share ideas and experience with each other, learn from industry mentors and build relationships with the venture capital community. In addition participants will receive an accelerated education on launching their start-up and refine their personal initiatives with some the most influential decision makers in the marketing/media industry.
Selected entrepreneurs or teams of entrepreneurs will receive complimentary work space, access to GE and OMD executives and compensation throughout the Summer.
Log into Blue Hen Jobs at www.udel.edu/CSC/ and see the complete program description listed under OMD (company name) and application materials.
Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World
May 4-5, 2011, New York City
Savor the Success (business network for women entrepreneurs) is hosting the Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World conference in NYC. This year, attendees will be creating their blueprints in branding, marketing, social media and sales. This is a time to sit down, get inspirational and practical advice from experts, and get an actionable plan in place.
There is an exclusive 10% discount for Smallbiztechnology readers using code SMALLBIZ.
Morgan Entrepreneurship Series at the Hudson Library
Multiple dates, Hudson, OH
Entrepreneur Success Stories
Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at 7:00 p.m.
Entrepreneur success stories will feature a panel of successful Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs who are living the dream of running their own businesses.
BlogWell: How Big Brands Use Social Media
May 4, 2011 – Washington, DC
This event is all about how big brands use social media. No agencies, no startups — just big companies sharing what they’ve learned and providing practical, how-to advice on creating great content, earning management buy-in, training employees, engaging fans and keeping everything ethical and legal.
Small Business High Speed Growth
May 9, 2011
Are you ready to position your business for rapid growth? Join the Small Business High Speed Growth sessions to get face-to-face with leading mentors in marketing, finance and business development.
Becoming the Obvious Choice for Your Customer Regardless of Price
May 9, 2011, Online
Focus.com Roundtable teleconference at 11am PT/2pm ET with Niall Devitt, Craig Elias, Melinda Emerson, Susan Payton, Ramon Ray, Deborah Shane, and Ivana Taylor discussing today’s most successful strategies and tactics that will help you find your ideal customer and get them choose you, every time, regardless of price. Topics include:
– How to find and identify your best customer
– Best practices for building solid customer relationships
– Strategies and technical tools you can use to analyze your sales and marketing
– How consumers’ buying habits have changed
– The mindset of a successful entrepreneur
– How to use communications (blogs, articles, etc) to find customers
Online Marketing & Social Media Crash Course
Multiple Cities & Dates
Discover how you can harness the power of the Internet to get your business found online (in an affordable way), engage new customers with your brand and keep old ones coming back. Deluxe for Business and Sprint are proudly sponsoring these free small business events across six cities in 2011, with the help of host Entrepreneur EXPO and keynote speaker Starr Hall.
May 11 – Chicago
June 15 – Atlanta
July 14 – New York City
August 16 – Los Angeles
September 13 – Miami
12th Annual U.S. Department of Energy Small Business Conference & Expo
May 10-12, 2011, Kansas City, MO
This event will feature plenaries, educational workshops, an Exhibit Hall with over 200 exhibitors/sponsors, as well as business matchmaking sessions. Over 1,600 attendees will represent all levels of federal, state and local government agencies, the small business community, large/prime contractors, minority educational institutions and many more.
The largest civilian contracting agency within the federal government, DOE spent over $25 billion in contracts in FY 2010.
The Receivables Exchange Cash Flow Forum
May 11, 2011, Los Angeles
May 12, 2011, San Francisco
For one day only, a panel of experts and business owners will discuss strategies for managing working capital in the changing economy, and share tips you can use to accelerate your business growth.
The new credit reality requires new strategies for growing businesses. At this one-time event, hear from experts and business owners who have survived – and thrived – in a tight credit market, and learn how they did it.
unGeeked Elite
May 12 -14, 2011, Chicago
unGeeked Elite will cover social media, marketing and branding. This three-day Retreat’s unique format:
* No keynote speakers: unGeeked levels the playing field by presenting you with an influential list of international, national and regionally recognized consultants and authors.
* No Presenters: unGeeked is where you participate in open discussions with “discussion leaders” regarding leveraging your corporate and personal brand.
* Fewer Powerpoints or Prezi’s: Really? Don’t like them. However, if the speaker needs to use one of these tools, they are limited to only five slides.
* More speaker and attendee interaction.
Limited to 125 participants. Note: Anita Campbell, CEO of Small Business Trends, will be speaking at this event.
BizTech [Mobile Apps]
May 12, 2011, San Francisco
Discover the coolest and latest mobile apps. Connect with everyone who cares about the mobile industry and learn what’s going on in the mobile technology world today.
Additional upcoming event:
BizTech [Event Technology] – July 12, 2011
Looking Up in a Down Economy – Secrets of the Inc. 5000
May 12, 2011, Boston
Join Inc. magazine and Salem Five for an inspirational evening of thought-provoking discussion with Inc. 5000 CEOs from the Boston area and Jim Schleckser, CEO of the Inc. CEO Project. Network with fellow entrepreneurs and business owners, hear how these extraordinary entrepreneurs grew their businesses in the teeth of the economic downturn, and gain inspiration for growing your own company.
Panelists:
Rich Doyle, Co-Founder & CEO, Harpoon Brewery
Joe Albanese, President & CEO, Commodore Builders
Lewis Schiff, Executive Director, Inc. Business Owners Council
Moderator:
Jim Schleckser, CEO, Inc. CEO Project
Birmingham Business Alliance Small Business Summit and Expo
May 17, 2011, Birmingham, AL
The event will kick off with a breakfast and keynote speech from Kevin Schmeigel, vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, followed by the announcement of three Recognition Award winners. Then attendees will enjoy morning breakout sessions, a roundtable boxed lunch and afternoon breakout sessions. The day’s events will wrap up with a “Wine’d Down” reception.
Mahoning Valley Small Business Conference & Expo 2011
May 18, 2011, Youngstown, OH
Created for both the novice and the experienced small business owner, the Mahoning Valley Small Business Conference & Expo 2011 will cover the latest trends in small business assistance and minority and women business owners. Any small business owner and entrepreneur, whether just starting to write his or her business plan or very experienced, would benefit from the instructional workshops. Certified small business, MBE, DBE and EDGE businesses will have the opportunity to meet buyers from companies committed to increasing their supplier diversity.
Prepping to Pitch
May 18, June 22, June 30, 2011, New York City
NYC Business Solutions Lower Manhattan Center is proud to announce an upcoming workshop series titled “Prepping to Pitch.” This free series is designed to help business owners prepare to obtain equity financing and will feature workshops teaching entrepreneurs how to pitch investors, understand and negotiate private equity agreements, and find potential investors.
Session 1: Advice for Pitching Investors- Taught by Yao Huang of The Hatchery
Session 2: Understanding Angel Funding- Taught by David Lifson of Postling
Session 3: Negotiating Private Equity Agreements- Taught by Shahmoon & Ellisen LLP
Expect the Unexpected: The Importance of Being Nimble
May 18, 2011, Los Angeles
Disasters can strike at any moment. In business today, it goes unsaid that you should be prepared for anything so that your company can outlast the unexpected. Join Inc. and CDW for an interactive, invitation-only gathering where you’ll hear from Inc. Editor-at-Large, Bo Burlingham and a panel of leaders from some of the fastest growing companies in America. They’ll share their experiences on rebounding after a disaster: what worked, what they wish they’d done differently, and how technology helped.
Empowered Woman Success Summit
May 19-20, 2011, Miami, FL
The Empowered Woman Success Summit “is not your typical ‘women’s’ conference… no rah-rah useless mumbo jumbo. This is about getting practical tools and strategies for building your brand, raising your profile and generating profitable opportunities for the long haul,” says founder Michelle Villalobos. This year’s theme is “Elevate Yourself,” designed to help all professional, ambitious women (entrepreneurs, freelancers, corporate execs, solopreneurs, career-switchers & more) elevate themselves beyond where they are today. The last summit drew over 700 smart, savvy women.
Small Business Trends CEO Anita Campbell will be speaking, on audience-attracting secrets.
How I Built It
Monday, May 23 – Washington, DC/America’s Small Business Summit
Thursday, June 9 – Austin, TX
Thursday, September 15 – Chicago
Wednesday October 5 – New York City/World Business Forum
Join Wall Street Journal Small Business Editor Colleen DeBaise as she moderates an esteemed panel of top entrepreneurs for dynamic discussions in your area. Gain firsthand wisdom from these entrepreneurial gurus as they delve into their journeys of launching successful businesses.
America’s Small Business Summit 2011
May 23-25, 2011, Washington, DC
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s annual event — America’s Small Business Summit — unites small business owners, managers and entrepreneurs from across the country to learn, network and discuss common legislative and management concerns. Help influence our nation’s economic and political agenda by advocating for pro-business policies through the Rally on the Hill portion of the program. Register before April 1st for early bird pricing.
Keeping the Promise – California Disabled Veterans Alliance Business Matchmaking
May 23-24, 2011, Los Angeles
The 19th Annual “Keeping the Promise” (KTP2011) Conference, Exposition and Matchmaking Event provides a unique opportunity to meet with disabled and veteran entrepreneurs, May 23-24, 2011 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott in Los Angeles, CA. Business Matchmaking will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2011.
BlogWorld Expo
May 24-26, 2011, New York City
BlogWorld is the world’s largest blogging and social media conference, and it’s known worldwide for presenting internet luminaries and entrepreneurs, the most popular and knowledgeable bloggers, podcasters and social media marketing thought leaders. This year’s event will feature great educational content, so new media content creators and businesses of all kinds will learn the best tips, technologies and methods for growing their brands, audiences and businesses online.
In addition to learning new ways to hone your content skills and promote your content and brand. Get 20% off registration with discount code SBTVIP20.
Faster, Better, Smarter: How Great Small Businesses are Using Technology to Drive Growth
May 24, 2011, Atlanta
At this roundtable discussion, a panel of leaders from some of the fastest growing companies in ATL will discuss how they’ve embraced the latest technologies to get closer to their customers, make the most of their time and scarce resources, differentiate themselves from the competition, and develop innovative strategies that set the stage for growth.
The Art of Angel Investing: What Investors Look for, and Look Out for, When Investing in Startups
May 24, 2011, New York City
This event is a must-attend for anyone interested in learning more about pitching business ideas, venture capital/angel investing and starting their own business. And for those who are Fordham students or alumni, come cheer on your peers in the final round of the Fordham Business Plan Competition!
New England XPO for Business
May 25, 2011, Boston
Connect, collaborate and communicate with over 10,000 business owners and professionals from across New England at the 3rd Annual New England XPO for Business. This event is the largest and most profitable B2B networking conference in the Northeast, featuring 36+ educational seminars and over 300 exhibits packed with hundreds of business products and services.
The Art of Angel Investing: What Investors Look For, and Look Out for, When Investing in Startups
May 26, 2011, New York City
Featuring:
Top NYC Angel Investors Are Pitched By Several Startups & Award up to $40,000* in Prizes including $10,000 cash prizes and $30,000 of in-kind services. This event is a must attend for anyone interested in learning more about pitching business ideas, venture capital/angel investing, and starting their own business.
Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers Procurement Conference
June 2, 2011, Warrensburg, MO
More than 1,200 government agencies and prime contractors have been invited to discuss their contracting opportunities with interested businesses.
The conference is sponsored by Missouri’s senior Sen. McCaskill, Missouri PTAC, the Missouri Small Business and Technology Development Centers, and the Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies and Development at the University of Central Missouri.
12th Annual Enterprise Council on Small Business Summit
June 6-8, 2011, New Orleans
This year’s ECSB Summit will examine the “silent majority” of satisfied small business customers whose positive experiences don’t translate into vocal endorsements. By identifying these potential advocates, studying what motivates them to communicate to others, and mapping the networks where referrals occur, participants will uncover the best practices needed to drive active advocacy among small business customers.
Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition
June 14-17, San Diego
This year’s event theme is “E-Commerce Shifts Into Overdrive—the Race Is On,” and the event is specifically designed to give e-retailers practical information they need to compete in today’s faster-paced e-commerce market. The speaker roster for the 2011 Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition represents the largest group of expert speakers ever assembled in online retailing, including: Christopher Payne, VP & GM, North American Marketplaces, eBay; Arianna Huffington; Sona Chawla, President, E-Commerce, Walgreen Co. and more.
Inc. Leadership Conference
June 15-17, 2011, Dallas
The event begins June 15 with a pre-conference reception. The next morning opens on the main stage with a presentation revealing the tangible tools for creating competitive cultures. The day culminates with an awards dinner recognizing this year’s Winning Workplaces honorees — leaders recognized for having created exceptional companies. The final day of the conference will offer additional main stage presentations and more intimate sessions with opportunities for greater networking and education.
140 Characters Conference
June 15-16, 2011, New York City
This event is expected to be the largest worldwide gathering of people interested in the effects of the real-time Internet on both business and “we” the people. It seems like everyone is talking about Facebook and Twitter, but so what? Why do they really matter?
#140conf exposes you to the power the Internet has to disrupt businesses, change lives and create serendipity. You will leave with a fresh outlook on how the real-time Web can be used in your business or personal life to actually do something meaningful.
Vertical Response 2011 Take Action User Seminar Series
Multiple Cities & Dates
June 23, 2011 – Chicago
September 30, 2011 – Denver
The Vertical Response 2011 Take Action User Seminar is designed to educate you about email marketing in the age of social media. Complement your attendance with a one-on-one email consultation and get the chance to take what you learn and immediately put it into action. Join Smallbiztechnology’s Ramon Ray in New York City and get $10 off early bird registration at this link.
2011 Creative Freelancer Conference
June 23-24, 2011, Chicago
The Creative Freelancer Conference, presented by HOW magazine and Marketing Mentor, is the only business conference for creative solopreneurs, from designers and writers to illustrators and photographers. Whether you’re a veteran or just starting out, you’ll get the specific tools you need to launch, build and grow a successful freelance business. You’ll also get plenty of time to connect with, learn from and share solutions with your fellow freelancers.
Register by the early bird deadline of April 1 and save $30.
Veteran Entrepreneur Training Symposium
June 27-30, Reno, NV
Do you run a veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small business (VOSB/SDVOSB) and want to work with the government? Or do you want to team with a veteran-owned company but aren’t sure how? The National Veterans Small Business Coalition has created the Veteran Entrepreneur Training Symposium (VETS) to help you accomplish your small business goals.
Unlike other small business conferences, VETS connects thriving veteran business owners with emerging veteran entrepreneurs to expose the knowledge needed to acquire government contracts and teaming opportunities. While attending, also expect to network with government agencies, large companies, and potential clients and customers.
FAA Small Business Opportunities Training Conference and Trade Show
June 28-July 1, 2011, Oklahoma City, OK
The FAA will host its Annual National Small Business Procurement Opportunities Training Conference and Trade Show on June 28 – July 1, 2010. The conference provides a forum for small businesses (including service-disabled and veteran-owned small businesses and 8[a] certified firms) to participate in technical and procurement opportunities workshops. Sessions will link small businesses with program managers, address business issues and concerns, and provide information that will benefit small businesses seeking to do business with the agency.
National Veteran Small Business Conference
August 15-18, 2011, New Orleans
The Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting this event. The largest nationwide conference of its kind, the National Veteran Small Business Conference provides veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs and SDVOSBs) an opportunity to learn, network and market their businesses.
4,000 leaders from various VOSBs, SDVOSBs, large contractors and federal agencies as well as veterans from the New Orleans area are expected to participate.
NAWBO Women’s Business Conference 2011
August 31 – September 1, 2011, San Diego
The NAWBO Women’s Business Conference is the only event of its kind focused on connecting women entrepreneurs to real business opportunities that deliver bottom-line results. The conference brings together businesses of all sizes from various industries to provide women entrepreneurs with both personal and professional tools and resources to take their businesses to the next level of success.
Affiliate Summit East 2011
August 21-23, 2011, New York City
Affiliate Summit East 2011, the premier affiliate marketing conference, is taking place August 21-23, 2011, in New York City. This three-day conference includes an exhibit hall with affiliate merchants, vendors and networks, and multiple tracks of educational sessions covering the latest trends and information from affiliate marketing experts.
25th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference, Women’s Business & Buyers Mart
September 14, 2011, Chicago
The oldest conference and business opportunities fair for women in business in the country, this is the premier event for women business owners in the Midwest.
This year’s conference offers women business owners solutions to the current problems they are facing and the opportunity to increase the profitability of their businesses by building relationships with corporate and government buyers, business experts and other women business owners.
The New York Enterprise Report Small Business Awards
September 21, 2011, New York City
The New York Enterprise Report Small Business Awards is the annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of the 500,000+ small businesses throughout the tri-state area. In its sixth year, the Awards Gala–which sold out in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010–attracts more than 400 business owners and executives and is often referred to as “the networking event of the year.” Don’t miss the chance to do business with the “who’s who” of the New York small business community.
Inc. 500/5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony
September 22-24, 2011, National Harbor, MD
The Inc. 500 | 5000 Conference and Awards Ceremony celebrates the revered Inc. ranking of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America. The momentous event brings together current Inc. 5000 honorees and alumni of the list, along with the greater business community, to recognize the remarkable achievements of these companies and the great contributions they have made to the global economy.
The Summit for Women in Business
October 6-9, 2011, Pigeon Forge, TN
The Summit For Women in Business is providing and showing you how to implement the needed strategies and tools to remain competitive and current within today’s evolving business climate. Created by women business owners for women business owners, this Summit is designed for SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) entrepreneurs, independent and self-employed professionals.
Western Mass Business Expo
October 18, 2011, Springfield, MA
As the region’s business publication, The Business Journal of Western Massachusetts believes the businesses and communities that comprise Western Massachusetts should be represented at a region-wide trade show to better promote buying and doing business locally. The day begins with breakfast at 7:30 followed by the Expo’s official opening at 9 a.m. and will feature seminars, speakers, lunch and a high-energy, end-of-day networking event featuring music, food and drink.
To find more small business events, contests and awards, visit our Small Business Events Calendar.
If you are putting on a small business contest, award or competition, and want to get the word out to the community, please submit it through our Events & Contests Submission Form. (We do not charge a fee to be included in this listing — it is completely free to list your event.) Only events of interest to small business people, freelancers and entrepreneurs will be considered and included.
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