Some excellent events coming up in the next weeks and months ? go on and get out there!
Whether you are looking for a local networking event, a webinar you can watch from the comfort of your recliner, or a big educational conference, there are some great opportunities to learn, network, and grow your business.
If you know of a great event that small businesses should know about or are organizing one ? let me know!
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April 16-20, 2012, New York City
If you?re an entrepreneur in practice or at heart, there?s only one place to be this April 16-20. This year?s event is going be the biggest connector event ever ?bringing together the resources, speakers mentors, and advice that is absolutely invaluable in your journey to living an entrepreneurial life with passion, success and freedom.
April 17, 2012, Online
Learn to speak the language of bankers, investors and government granting organizations to secure the money you need to grow your business. At this session you?ll learn:
How to prepare for a financing initiative.
How to pitch your idea.
What to do before you visit the banks.
Traditional and non-traditional sources of finance.
Government grants, loans and subsidies you should know about.
How to prepare for angel investors or venture capitalist.
Learn how to pitch and receive the money you need at this webinar.
Leveraging Pinterest ? Drive Marketing
April 18, 2012, New York City
Pinterest gets 11 Million monthly unique visits. For many companies, it?s driving more referral traffic than Twitter and Google+. That growth is in the fast lane?faster than any standalone site ? ever. You will learn how to use Pinterest as a source of traffic, leads and sales for your organization and examples of how real-life businesses leverage Pinterest for growth.
April 18, 2012, Online
The 21st Century is all about a mobile lifestyle in which immediate contacts OF ALL KINDS are important. Place and time matter. Location makes the occasion, and in the occasion lays the opportunity. To approach a constantly moving Target Market, you need Mobile Tools. Business opportunities are fleeting by nature. You need to be at the right PLACE, at the right TIME, ALL the time. Context is the key and mobile location intelligence is the way.
The mobile revolution continues to gain momentum and transform the way we learn, shop, communicate and do business. The agenda includes a cross-section of some of the top thinkers, brands and opinion makers to share the very latest learnings and insight on not only where mobile is headed, but also how to get there.
April 23, 2012, Online
The guest speaker will be Andra? Tori, Co-Founder and CTO of Zemanta. Andra? will share what he and his team have learned during the founding, development and growth of the company. You?ll also have the opportunity to network with your peers from the New York City area tech community over catered food and craft beer. The first 75 attendees will receive two free audiobooks from Audible. All attendees will be entered into a drawing for a Kindle Fire.
Multiple Cities and Dates, April through June
Business owners participating in this event will have the opportunity to learn, network and discuss business issues that top the small business agenda, including money, customers, people and growth. Educational sessions include:
Financial Fitness, discussion led by Corelytics and Concur
Customer satisfaction and loyalty, discussion led by Constant Contact
Growth in a Social World, discussion led by several leading social media tool providers
Productive People, discussion led by T-Mobile, Cisco and Microsoft on keeping a connected & informed staff
April 18, 2012, New York City
Where provocative thinkers collide and engage in meaningful, unexpected conversations. At this event, participants from various industries are charged with sharing smart techniques and exploring the next generation of innovative ideas that are shaping our world.
14th Annual Business & Procurement Expo
April 19, 2012, Edison, NJ
This event draws Business Owners, Corporations, Government Agencies, and Sponsors from all over New Jersey and surrounding states. The day begins with the WOW Panel, moderated by Lori Matheus, Managing Director, Finance and Development, NJEDA. The panel will discuss the theme: Change brings Opportunity ? will you be ready?
The Expo will be organized in rows or ?alleys?Certification Vendors- i.e. State, WPEO (WEBANK), NJIT, NJ Transit ? will be taking applications and starting their certification process at this event!
Attendees will be given the opportunity to have lunch with representatives from corporations, government agencies and sponsors. Our Keynote Speaker at lunch will be JOE CONNOLLY, WCBS Newsradio 880, Wall Street Journal Reports. We will also have ?hands-on? training in Facebook & Twitter for those who need to get started as Level 1 and another class for those who need to learn the what to do next to get more business, Level 2.
Multiple Cities and Dates 2012 ? see website for full list
April 20 ? Athens, OH, Philadelphia, PA, Spokane, WA & Atlanta
April 27 ? Charlotte, NC, Boston, Honolulu & Madison, WI
Startup Weekends are 54-hour events designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs. Beginning with Friday night pitches and continuing through brainstorming, business plan development, and basic prototype creation, Startup Weekends culminate in Sunday night demos and presentations. Participants create working startups during the event and are able to collaborate with like-minded individuals outside of their daily networks. All teams hear talks by industry leaders and receive valuable feedback from local entrepreneurials. The weekend is centered around action, innovation, and education. Whether you are looking for feedback on a idea, a co-founder, specific skill sets, or a team to help you execute, Startup Weekends are the perfect environment in which to test your idea and take the first steps towards launching your own startup.
April 23, 2012, New York City
Executive Summary is part one of a two-part class . Part two addresses the equally important topic of Investor Pitch. This class will teach you to:
Identify what investors are looking for when reading an Executive Summary.
Grasp the importance of a business attention-grabbing Mantra.
Learn about the effective structure and format of the one page Executive Summary.
Define the critical sections to include in an Executive Summary.
View examples of what language is more compelling to use to convey your message.
?. And FINALLY Summarize top 10 mistakes entrepreneurs do when writing an Executive Summary
April 24, 2012, Online
During this 75 minute web class, Jennifer Shaheen, the Technology Therapist, will show you the tools you can use to best leverage your Facebook page for your small business. This class will cover the following topics:
The Key Ingredients That Every Page Should Have
The ?Secret Sauce? for Facebook Ads (Choosing the right demographics, understanding how to bid, best practices for writing copy, the value of images)
Creating Custom Tabs
Understanding Page Insights
April 25, 2012, Dallas, TX
VIP Contract Connections is a day-long event featuring one-on-one meetings with 30 confirmed government buyers and large prime contractors. At a 2011 VIP Contract Connections session, a local business owner walked away from the event with a contract with the U.S. Department of Interior. Attendees can look forward to meeting with:
City of Dallas Procurement Department
Air Force
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
Northrop Grumman
Army Corps of Engineers ? Fort Worth
U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons
May 1, 2012, Berkeley, CA
Vator is introducing Vator Spark, a series of master classes on innovative and disruptive topics relevant to succeeding as a technology entrepreneur. Vator Spark is a full-day, high-energy and accelerated class designed to give entrepreneurs the right knowledge platform, best practices and tools to succeed. The topic for the first Vator Spark is: ?Got Game? How to Gamify Your Start-up?.
May 2-3, 2012, New York City
On May 2-3, 2012, business leaders from across New York will gather at the world famous Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for the 7th Annual New York XPO for Business. This highly acclaimed business event is expected to draw upwards of 10,000 attendees and over 200 exhibitors as the largest business-to-business marketplace in the region. Education will be offered throughout the day and will include over 40 quality information sessions covering sales, marketing, advertising, business growth, best business practices, social media and much more! You?ll be able to identify the latest products and services to meet your competitive challenges and discover the keys to financial success and stability.
Use promo code Smallbiz10 for $10 off any admission package
May 2-3, 2012
The Small Business Development Center and Procurement Technical Assistance Center at the University of South Florida make your pathway to winning government contracts easy by bringing buyers from federal, state and local government agencies and prime contractors all in one place. With more than 70 exhibitors, you?ll meet the company that needs your products and services. Previous representatives include: U.S. Special Ops Command, Jabil, Lockheed Martin, MacDill Air Force Base, Department of Veteran Affairs, General Dynamics, Raytheon, Harris and City of Tampa Purchasing, and more.
May 2, 2012, New York City
This unique event offers more than 500 business owners and professionals from around the tri-state area a comfortable atmosphere to network and learn about the personal and professional experiences of other women in business, government, sciences and the arts. From the opening networking session to the intimate conversation with highly regarded speakers; The Working Women?s Luncheon will provide advice and inspiration for women to network, entertain, learn and grow.
Featured speaker Nell Merlino is the Founder and President of Count Me In for Women?s Economic Independence, the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources for women to grow their micro businesses into million $ enterprises.
May 4-6, 2012, Chicago
SOBCon is a 2-day small business/entrepreneurial think tank ? packed with business strategies and social media immersion. With a unique and highly interactive ?Models & Masterminds? format, featuring compelling speakers and content, you will walk away with new ideas and the energy and network to implement them
May 8-9, 2012, Berkeley, CA
The Content Marketing Strategies Conference (ContentMarketingNow.com) provides companies of any size a step-by-step systematic approach to developing a complete Content Marketing program that masters the content marketing life cycle: Strategize, Create, Curate, Manage, Distribute, and Analyze.
Subject experts will address topics along the life cycle. Day one kicks-off with insight into how to get started within each step. Day two, through a series of case studies, digs deep into successful companies like Dell, HP, ServiceMax, Kelly Services, SAS and more who have created successful content marketing programs.
By the end of the conference, you will walk away with a complete understanding of how to get started in content marketing or improve upon your existing initiatives.
SmallBizTechnology.com readers receive $50 off with promo code SMBIZTECH
May 10, 2012, New York City
Small Business Expo New York City is one of the largest networking event, tradeshow & conference for business owners & business professionals. Business professionals will learn about products & services to help their business exceed its goals, network with other industry professionals & attend informative and cutting-edge workshops & seminars.
May 10, 2012, Austin, TX
The Word of Mouth Crash Course is a mix of intense training, a rock show, and a family reunion. Get simple, hands-on advice from people who?ve really done it. This is a practical, you-can-do-it, blow-your-mind-with-results kind of day.
Make it work for you with real-world case studies from companies just like yours. Make it work with no budget ? just brains, vision, energy, and a compelling reason for people to talk about you.
Internet Week New York
May 14-21, 2012
Since 2008, Internet Week has taken place all over the city, thanks to our many partners hosting diverse events in different locations.The result is a critical mass of web-focused events that raises the profile of NYC?s industry as a whole, as well as the partners who participate. Just like in 2010 and 2011, Internet Week NY HQ will be home to stages, classrooms, lounges, installations, and more. With 20,000 more square feet of Digital Playground as well as Conference Theater?Internet Week HQ at 82 Mercer is poised to be the best yet.
May 14-16, 2012, Minneapolis
Deep dives. Conceptual discussions. Practical application. Whether you?re a seasoned content vet or new to the game, Confab has something for you. You?re sure to walk away with not only new insights and discoveries, but also the ability to actually DO something with them. A mixed agenda format will offer attendees a variety of ways to engage with and employ the innovative ideas that come from the scintillating content and unexpected environment.
The event content is aimed toward anyone who thinks of themselves as an innovative business leader including but not limited to the fields of technology, design, marketing, entertainment, venture capitalism, energy, infrastructure, non-profits and brand executives.
May 21-23, 2012, 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. Past speakers include former President George W. Bush, former General Stanley McCrystal, Small Business Editor of the WSJ Colleen DeBaise, and many more. Attendees 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. The event will take place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., on May 21-23, 2012. For more information and important dates, check the Summit website, www.uschambersummit.com.
May 23, 2012, Duluth, MN
The conference is designed for marketers, advertisers and public relations professionals looking to conquer the social media space, boost online engagement, increase social market share and avoid wasteful social media campaigns. The three track levels include the introductory-level Boot Camp Track, intermediate-level Channels Track and the Advanced Track for cutting-edge marketers. In addition, all attendees have the opportunity to learn from top-ranked attorney Jamie Nafziger, partner at Dorsey and Whitney, on how to navigate the tricky, unchartered waters of social during the Social Media & The Law Round Table.
June 1, 2012, Louisville, KY
The Annual Kentucky Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference (8th KIEC) will bring together distinguished speakers, tech-based economic development practitioners, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, students and postdoctoral fellows.
The conference will focus on growing local initiatives powered by science and engineering talent.
June 6-8, 2012, Miami
The Inc. Leadership Forum brings together the knowledge and experience of industry experts, academics, seasoned entrepreneurs and fellow company leaders to share their methods on how to implement leadership strategies that help businesses flourish.
In 2012, the two-day event will immerse attendees in an energizing program with a series of keynote speakers, panel discussions and interactive networking sessions designed exclusively for the unique needs of entrepreneurial leaders. The Forum brings to life the content in Inc. magazine through thought-provoking programming that enables company owners to gain actionable, real-world information to hone their skills and lead their businesses on a path to growth. At Inc.?s Leadership Forum, you?ll learn about innovative approaches, inspirational tools and processes to build teams and workplace environments that have a lasting impact on financial results and personal satisfaction.
June 7, 2012, Hartford, CT
The 2012 CT Business Expo offers free educational seminars hosted by industry elite speakers and trainers. All of the educational seminars will be held in custom built classrooms on the show floor. Four educational tracks include Sales, Marketing, Technology and Management.
June 11-14, 2012, Reno, NV
Designed by Veteran small business owners for Veteran small business owners, VETS2012 brings government agencies, industry leaders and Veteran entrepreneurs together in a small, intimate forum to discuss the questions you need answered.
June 22-26, 2012, Chicago
Connect to mobile innovations, new advertising technologies, emerging social media practices, and new apps for managing your business and life. Techweek is the largest technology and innovation conference and expo to put the entire digital ecosytem on stage ? in Chicago, an up-and-coming global destination for new technology, with a community eager to harness the spirit of innovation.
National Veteran Small Business Conference & Expo
June 26-29, 2012, Detroit
The Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting the National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo. As the largest nationwide conference of its kind, this event focuses on helping Veteran-owned businesses maximize opportunities in the federal marketplace. Join nearly 6,000 participants in Detroit for the opportunity to:
Connect with procurement decision makers from other businesses and federal agencies
Expand knowledge through over 200 training and business requirement sessions
Engage with other attendees and gain visibility in the Expo Hall of nearly 500 booths
Use VetGovPartner to facilitate online and onsite networking including face-to-face sessions with senior procurement decision makers
October 4-5, 2012, Louisville, KY
This year?s theme celebrates the entrepreneurial, innovative and adventurous spirit of women business owners. They are starting businesses at record rates and running these businesses on their own terms. They refuse to sit idle, waiting and watching. They have confidence and power to shake things up, take smart risks and do things differently to move forward. They are impacting positive change at every turn, speaking out on issues of public policy, lightening their environmental footprint and creating jobs that fuel the economy. They are part of something much greater than themselves?a grassroots movement of women business owners and their community of supporters all dedicated to helping one another grow, thrive, give back and leave a legacy.
October 10, 2012, 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. Now in its 7th year, the Awards gala 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.
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.
