2010 SMALL BUSINESS WEEK EVENTS

Please make reservations for these events by following the RSVP instructions shown after each individually listed session.     Download the 2010 Calendar/Brochure

Pre-Event #1:  Missouri Venture Forum  

Date:  May 7, 2010
Time:  7:15 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Place:  Missouri Athletic Club West
1777 Des Peres Road, Town and Country, MO 63131
Cost: $40 for non-members
Sponsor: Missouri Venture Forum
RSVP: Register online at http://www.missouriventureforum.org /

Pre-Event #2: St. Louis Business Networking Breakfast    
Join other small businesses and government buying office representatives to learn about business opportunities in your area. The network offers the opportunity to introduce your business to federal, state and local government agencies along with other businesses.
       
Date:  May 6, 2010
Time: 7:15 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Place: JMRJ Catering (Heritage House Cafeteria)
2800 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63103  
(Parking off Leffingwell Ave. in lot behind building)
Cost:  $10.00  Pay at door to JMRJ Catering.
RSVP: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
RSVP by noon May 5, 2010 with your name, company name, phone number, and email to have your contact information included in an attendance list that will be distributed at the meeting.

Reservations must be made by Monday, May 3, 2010 for the following events.

FOR INFORMATION OR REGISTRATION BY PHONE: Call 314-746-WEEK (9335)

Monday May 10, 2010

SESSION 1:  Salute to Small Business Lenders & Hall-of-Fame Kick-Off Networking Breakfast
Join us in expressing appreciation to the financial institutions that support small business in our community. 

Time:  7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Place:  The Crowne Plaza St. Louis - Clayton
7750 Carondelet Ave., Clayton, MO 63105
Cost:   $25, Parking ___ (TBD)
Sponsor:  Small Business Administration
RSVP:  Online Registration

SESSION 2:  Access to Capital in the Minority Community
In light of the recent FDIC finding that St. Louis minorities are under-banked, panelists will share approaches and remedies to the challenges facing minority entrepreneurs accessing business capital. The relationship between credit scoring and bankability will be discussed and credit building strategies outlined. 

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Place: Justine Petersen
1023 North Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63106
Parking and entrance in back of building
Cost: FREE
Sponsor: Justine Petersen
RSVP:

SESSION 3:  NAWBO Happy Hour to Honor the Women Winners
Network with women business owners.  Enjoy an evening of food and fun as we honor NAWBO's Partner and Member of the Year.

Time:  5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Place:  Five Bistro
5100 Daggett Avenue, St. Louis, MO   63110
Cost:  $30
Sponsor:  NAWBO - St. Louis
RSVP:  Online Reservations   or 314-954-8344

Tuesday, May 11, 2009

SESSION 4: SPECTRUM Conference 2010 - “New Directions”
Community Service Public Relations Council’s annual SPECTRUM is the only day-long conference in the St. Louis metro area designed exclusively to meet nonprofits’ particular needs. Network with key decision makers of St. Louis’ most successful non profits and discover new opportunities for your business at the SPECTRUM conference.

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Place: Holiday Inn Southwest/Viking Conference Center
10709 Watson Road (Near I-44 & Lindbergh, St. Louis, MO 63127
Cost: CSPRC Member - $85, Non-member - $95, Full-time Student - $70
Sponsor: CSPRC
RSVP: Online reservations at www.csprc.org or 314-416-2237

SESSION 5: Government Marketing Fundamentals
This seminar breaks down the government marketing process into smaller segments to explain the different levels of government and how to pinpoint government markets applicable to your business.  If you are considering or presently doing business with the government, you will not want to miss this presentation.  Pre-registration required.

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Place: 100 North Tucker, Downstairs Auditorium, St. Louis, MO  63101
Cost: $50
Sponsor: MO PTAC
RSVP: Joseph Frank - 314-621-3888 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

SESSION 6: SBA Loans: Keys to Your Financial Success
Join the SBA, Missouri SBTDC and local lenders for an opportunity to become familiar with the SBA loan programs, requirements and what constitutes a successful application.  The program will include an update on the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Bill).

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Place: Missouri SBTDC at St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone
100 North Tucker, 1st Floor Conference Room, St. Louis, MO 63101
Cost: FREE
Sponsor: Missouri Small Business Technology and Development Center
RSVP: http://missouri.ecenterdirect.com/conferencelist.asp or 314-241-1511

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

SESSION 7: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District  "HELP WANTED - Phase II, Are you Prepared for the Job?"

This session is a continuum of the basic operations process of working with the Corps from various departmental perspectives relative to contracting, legal, project management, construction and small business interrelationships.  

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Place: Robert A. Young Federal Building
1222 Spruce Street, 2nd Floor Auditorium, St. Louis, MO  63103
Cost: FREE
Sponsor: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District Office
RSVP: Online Reservations

SESSION 8:  EXPORTING FOR PROFIT AND INCREASED REVENUES
A “How to Get Started” seminar that will teach you the steps needed to be successful in selling into the international marketplace.  Sessions will cover topics such as:  how to find international customers; the documentation required to do international business; how to transport a company’s products or services; and how to finance international orders.

Time:  8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  
Place:  World Trade Center St. Louis
121 South Meramec, 10th Floor Conference Center, St. Louis, MO 63105
Sponsor: Missouri District Export Council, Small Business Administration, U.S. Export Assistance Center, World Trade Center Saint Louis
Cost:  $20 for seminar, Parking extra on street or nearby garages
RSVP:   Online reservations at www.worldtradecenter-stl.com or 314-615-8141

SESSION 9: Valuation
Discussion of technology business valuations including patent valuation and licensing. Historical information, formulas and recent trends will also be presented. 

Time:  2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Presentations
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Happy Hour  
Place: Center for Emerging Technologies, Training Room
4041 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108
Cost:  $30 - Check or Cash only
Sponsor:  Center for Emerging Technologies
RSVP:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 314-615-6915

SESSION 10: Getting the Big Bucks: Finding the Hidden/Biggest Financing for Small Businesses
Panel discussion exploring a variety of financing options including new programs, traditional banks, and public/private partnerships. Discussion will focus on how to get the greatest amount of financing available.

Time:  1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.   
Place: Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Technology & Resource Center
3611 S. Grand Blvd.  Suite 105, St. Louis, MO 63118
Cost:  FREE
Sponsor:  Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
RSVP:  Online reservations at www.hccstl.com or 314-664-4432

SESSION 11: Business After Hours: Building a Region of Entrepreneurs
The small business community and supporters are invited to this Small Business Week premiere networking event.  Refreshments will be served. Free parking in the Laclede Garage.

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Place: Saint Louis University Campus
DuBourg Hall, Pere Marquette Gallery, 2nd floor, 221 North Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103
Cost: $25, Free Parking
Sponsor: Center for Entrepreneurship, John Cook School of Business, Saint Louis University
RSVP: Online reservations or Jeanne Rhodes 314-977-3850.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

SESSION 12:  Home-Based Small Business Breakfast           
Part 1:  HEY!  I’m Over Here! – Getting Noticed in the Media
Presenter:  Ivy Hartman, SBTV.com anchor woman and STL TV host of Best of the STL
How to get your business noticed in the media with the inside story on how reporters and news directors select their stories.  Plus get best practices for television appearances when the opportunity arises. 
Part 2:  Successful Business Women Panel
Three successful women business owners will share their views, challenges and successes in the world of small business.

Time:  8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Place:  The Lodge of Des Peres, Dogwood Room
1050 Des Peres Road, St Louis, MO 63131
Sponsor: Association of Home-Based Women Entrepreneurs
Cost:  $25 for HBWE Members; $35 for non-members; free parking
RSVP: Online Reservations

SESSION 13: Get the Facts:  Procurement & Supplier Diversity Specialist Sound Off
20-minute round robin conversations with procurement officers from corporate and government organizations discussing the processes to becoming a qualified supplier. Attendees should sign up for minimum 2 sessions.  Brief networking after last session with funding source.

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Place: 4236 Lindell Blvd., Suite 102, St. Louis, MO  63108
Cost:  FREE
Sponsor: Veterans Business Resource Center and Regions Bank
RSVP: Online reservations at www.vetbiz.com (PayPal) or at VBRC office; 314-531-VETS (8387).

SESSION 14*:  Annual SBA Exhibit Gala    
Network with our nominees, award winners and small businesses in a relaxed tradeshow atmosphere.

Time:  4:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Place: Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center – Chesterfield
16625 Swingley Ridge Rd., (I-64 W/US-40 W to exit 19A Chesterfield Pkwy West) Chesterfield, MO 63017
Cost:   FREE, Free parking
Sponsor: Small Business Administration
RSVP:  Online Reservations

SESSION 15*:  Annual SBA Awards Dinner  
Enjoy a superb dinner and salute the success of the 2010 Small Business Week award winners.

Time:  6:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Place: Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center – Chesterfield
16625 Swingley Ridge Rd. , (I-64 W/US-40 W to exit 19A Chesterfield Pkwy West) Chesterfield, MO 63017
Cost:   $45, Free parking
Sponsor: Small Business Administration
RSVP:  Online Reservations

Friday, May 14, 2010

SESSION 18 (Just Added): Do's and Don'ts of Hiring and Firing
HR tips for the small business person to make the right hiring decisions and avoid pitfalls.  Guest Speaker: Margaret Kenyon, MA PHR, Member Relations, AIM Employers Association


Topic: Essential training on

• How to Avoid HR Pitfalls
• Your Legal Obligations
• How "At Will" Employment Works
• What  You Can Ask in an Interview

Saturday, May 15, 2010

SESSION 16: SCORE: How to Start and Manage Your Own Business
A one-day seminar to acquaint prospective and active business owners with the planning needed to start and manage their own business.  Volunteers of the SCORE Association conduct this professional seminar.

Time: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Place: St. Louis Community College at Meramec
11333 Big Bend Blvd., Library Confluence Room, St. Louis, MO  63122
Cost: $50 (includes manual and seminar materials) Attendees should bring a sack lunch.
Sponsor: SCORE Association
RSVP: Online Reservations at www.stlscore.org or 314-539-6600 ext. 242 or 243

SESSION 17: JCI CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility in SMEs
JCI CSR discusses how citizens and small- and medium-sized enterprises can be aware of the interrelationship of their actions with humanity, economy and the environment. Attendees will participate in exercises and develop strategies to implement the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility in their businesses to have a positive impact on both their community and their bottom line.

Time: 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Place: JCI World Headquarters
15645 Olive Blvd., Large conference room, Chesterfield MO 63017
Cost: $15 charge at the door includes course manual and refreshments. Free parking.
Sponsor: JCI Metro
RSVP: Register online or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
_____________________________________________________________________