February 3, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Jon Adams-Kollitz, Economic Development Specialist, 865-7187 or
Vallerie Morse at the SBA 802-828-4422 x211 or Vallerie.Morse@sba.gov
Announcement – FREE EVENT! 2nd Annual WINTER BUSINESS FAIR
Does your existing business need a tune-up? Are you a startup? We can help!
Bigger, better and more connected! Stop into the ‘O’ Zone, a networking environment provided by Office Squared with free wireless service brought to you by Burlington Telecom. Take a turn at the microphone during ZERO – 60…you have sixty seconds to tell us what makes your business unique.
Burlington, VT – Burlington’s Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity Micro Business Development Program (MBDP) invite you to the Burlington Winter Business Fair, Thursday, Feb. 11, 10 AM–3 PM, Burlington City Hall and the Firehouse Gallery.
Come to the Fair and meet business advisors from federal, state and local organizations, traditional and alternative lenders, and more. The free Winter Business Fair offers owners, managers and start-up entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to take the next step. Attend the Fair and meet a variety of experts who will welcome you, listen to your business concerns and give you guidance. Come for the entire event or drop in anytime between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM.
“The Winter Business Fair offers a great opportunity for established businesses and new entrepreneurs to revamp their business plan or connect with important resources they may not be aware of, says Burlington’s Mayor Bob Kiss. “This year’s fair includes new features such as Zero to 60, providing a platform for businesses to get the word out. I encourage anyone looking to start, expand or retool a business to attend.”
Jodie Whalen, co-owner of August First Bakery, attended last year’s Winter Business Fair, where she met with several potential lenders. Now, she is several months into running one of Burlington’s newest success stories. “[The Winter Business Fair] was key to helping us make contact with important resources and to create a streamlined business plan. It was a great launching pad for August First,” says Whalen. “And now I am back to share my experience during the Dream to Reality panel discussion.”
Free Workshops:
• 10 AM – 12 NOON (Firehouse Gallery)
Online Marketing/Social Media
Sarah Spencer, Got Clicks; Spencer Taylor, Union Street Media
• 10 AM – 11 AM
From Dream to Reality: Lessons Learned from 3 Startups
Jodi Whalen, August First; Sue Bette, Bluebird Tavern; Ali Marchildon, WSBP & co-founder Flashbags)
• 12 NOON -1 PM
Approved or Denied: Ask the Lenders
Greg Huysman, Opportunities Credit Union; Sam Buckley, VT Community Loan Fund; Vallerie Morse, SBA; Paula Coletti, Chittenden Bank; Scott Nichols, VSECU
• 1 PM – 2 PM
Bookkeeping: Cash Flow Advice for Existing Businesses
Diana Jones, Double Entry Bookkeeping
• 2 PM – 3 PM
Listening to Your Business . . . Are You?
Steve Densham, VT Small Business Development Center
The entire event is free and open to the public. Register at 802-865-7187 or e-mail jadamskollitz@ci.burlington.vt.us. For more information visit: http://www.cedoburlington.org/default/WBF10poster.pdf
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
149 Church Street, Room 32
City Hall
Burlington, Vermont 05401
Phone (802) 865-7144 Fax (802) 865-7024 TTY (802) 865-7142
Website: www.cedoburlington.org
