Save the Date: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 at the Central Resource Library.

Many government agencies help business owners start or expand a business for little or no cost. Representatives from local agencies will attend this year's event, including: Kansas Small Business Development Center at JCCC, KCSourceLink, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kansas State Data Center, Heartland Procurement Technical Assistance Center and many more. There's no cost to attend and no reservations required. For more information send us an e-mail.

This program is a winner of the 2008 National Association of Counties (NACO) Achievement Award



A Global Entrepreneurship Week Event

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Exhibits | Activities | Reception | Featured Exhibitors  

Exhibits (Gallery Area)

Activities (Carmack Community Room)

10-11:30 a.m.: Winning Government Contracts - Cutting Through the Bureaucracy
Dennis Fitzgerald, Heartland Procurement Technical Assistance, Small Business Counselor, Northern Kansas Region
This program takes the attendee through the very basic steps of registering to become a government contractor. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from this program which helps cut through the maze of bureaucratic requirements and helps simplify the entire process.

12-1 p.m.: Lunch & Learn: ReferenceUSA
Come learn about ReferenceUSA, a powerful tool that can help entrepreneurs gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Find out who your competitors are, create mailing lists of potential customers or locate new businesses in your area. Johnson County Library has a subscription to this product, so you can get free access with a library card. Box lunches will be proved courtesy of ReferenceUSA. 

1:30-2:30 p.m.: How the Government Funds Small Business
Independence Council on Economic Development, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Mo. and Southwest Johnson County Economic Development Corporation
There are a lot of myths about how the government gives grants to start small businesses. Get the facts. Learn about state and local financial incentives that you can access to help you start or expand a small business. The panel will include representatives from municipalities around the metro area.

3-4 p.m.: Insurance Issues for Small Businesses
John Meetz, Senior Government Affairs Liaison, Kansas Insurance Department
The speaker will discuss insurance issues pertinent to small business. He will also cover health insurance, including legislative initiatives at both the state and federal level.

4:30-5:30 p.m.: Resources to Support Small Business in Tough Economic Times
Erik Pedersen, Associate Director, Network Kansas and Stephanie Zamora, Network Navigator, KCSourceLink
The success or failure of a business often depends on the business owner's ability to connect with the resources that are available. Come out to learn how KCSourceLink and Network Kansas can help you find the help you need, when you need it. Network Navigators from these agencies will be discussing specific challenges facing business owners in today's recessive economy, like financing.

6-8:30 p.m.: Starting a Business: Success Right from the Start
Kansas Small Business Development Center at JCCC
Attend an overview of business information including government requirements, legal business structure, business plan creation and financial projections.

Reception (Gallery Area)

5-6 p.m.: Join us for networking & snacks provided by FastTrac®, a program of the Kauffman Foundation and the sponsoring agencies.

Featured Exhibitors (Gallery Area)

Sponsored by:

Business services provided by the Johnson County Library, Kansas

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