SBA Upcoming Events April/May 2012

Greetings Entrepreneurs!    Below is a list of a few of the upcoming seminars to help you start, manage and grow your business.

April 10, 2012 Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Charlotte

Charlotte SCORE hosts this workshop from 1 pm to 4 pm. $25. 6302 Fairview Road. To register and pay go online to www.charlotte.score.org. For information call (704) 344-6576.


April 10, 2012 Raise your Credit Score Fayetteville

The Veteran Business Outreach Center of Fayetteville State University is hosting this free event. 6pm to 9pm. To register, call 910-672-2683 or email lbelche1@uncfsu.edu.

April 11, 2012 Survive and Thrive – Loans for Small Business Charlotte

Sponsored by the Charlotte Chamber, this event will highlight SBA’s loan programs and the new Capline loan program. 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Contact Rod Garvin, 704-330-1350.

April 14, 2012 Green Idea Factory Competition Davidson

Part of the 2012 NC Science Festivals held around the state, this event brings together students from area high school to display their green ideas and innovations. Noon to 4 pm. 442 S Main Street, Davidson. For a list of all statewide events, go to www.ncsciencefestival.org.

April 16-20, 2012 12th Annual Passport to Export Roadshow Wilmington, Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville, High Point

The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s International Trade Division has seven foreign country experts that help companies like yours thrive in North Carolina by growing revenue through exporting. But once a year, this team of experts return to our state to bring their expertise directly to you. Learn about opportunities in world markets through individual meetings with the state’s foreign trade representatives based in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Japan, China, and Europe and Hong Kong. Whether your company is currently exporting, export-ready or you’re interested in learning more about developing international markets, the Passport to Export Road Show is an excellent opportunity for North Carolina-based firms to develop new foreign markets that can increase exports and profits. Road Show events include: Individual one-on-one meetings for export ready businesses and overseas trade representatives; Luncheon with entire global panel of North Carolina’s foreign office representatives. To register, contact Bethany Khouri-Wisbey (919) 715-1855 or bwisbey@nccommerce.com. www.sbtdc.org/events/ibd/roadshow_itinerary.pdf

April 18, 2012 Alternative Access to Capital Jacksonville

Hosted by Coastal Carolina Community College, this free seminar will assist small business owners by providing alternative access to capital information. Ten lenders are scheduled to attend. CCCC, Melton Skills Center, Room 104a, 1 pm – 4 pm. To register, call 910-938-6322 or email: reyesd@coastalcarolina.edu.

April 19, 2012 The Next Generation in Business Asheville

The SBTDC at Western Carolina University is partnering with the UNC Asheville Family Business Forum to further support family owned businesses. Established in 2001, the Forum is a continuing education resource for business families. Privately held and family owned enterprises face unique challenges: succession issues, estate taxes, communication between family and non-family employees, and generational transition. The Family Business Forum provides formal programs, networking with other family businesses, and opportunities designed specifically for business families. For more information or to register for an event, contact Family Business Forum Executive Director Cindy Clarke at (828) 232-5091 or visit their website http://www.unca.edu/fbf



April 19, 2012 2012 Venture Challenge Start-up Competition Charlotte

Several start-ups in the southeast will compete for over $100,000 in prize money at the Charlotte Venture Challenge finals to be held at the Nascar Hall of Fame from 4pm to 8pm. The competition started with 117 start-ups and the top 18 teams will be featured at the finals where one of the teams will walk away with $50,000 from a venture capital firm. Finals include start-up pitches, keynote address, plenty of networking and a reception to follow. Learn more at www.charlotteventurechallenge.com. Registration fee is $45.

https://ecom.uncc.edu/C21561_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=83&SINGLESTORE=true



April 23, 2012 Advanced Lumber Products Exporting Greensboro

A one day workshop on "how to avoid exporting mistakes" and "where the emerging markets are"-Looking beyond Mexico, China and Europe. During the seminar you will be able to live vicariously through the mistakes of others. Location: Columbia Forest Products, Headquarters, 7900 Triad Center Drive, Greensboro, NC 27409 Parking and entrance instructions will be emailed after registration. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 8 to 8:30 coffee and registration. Registration fee is $50 includes lunch, electronic copy of The Basic Guide to Exporting, and copies of all training materials. http://export.gov/northcarolina/lumberexporting/index.asp

April 24, 2012 Business Ownership and Franchise Expo Fayetteville

The Fayetteville State Veteran Business Outreach Center, Fayetteville Tech and FranNet are hosting a Franchise Expo and workshops from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM • Fayetteville Technical Community College

Tony Rand Student Center, Hull Road • Fayetteville, NC 28301 To Pre-Register: www.bizownershipseminar.com Topics include : Franchise Ownership as an alternative career; Start up business options and assistance f or veteran; Financing your business; Altnerative financing; 20 franchise companies to meet.

April 26, 2012 Green Networking Davidson

The Project for Innovation, Energy and Sustainability hosts Green Drinks the last Thursday of every month. In April, Mike Davis from the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association is the featured speaker. Where environmentally minded individuals, green businesses and non-profits meet to network and work together to make a difference in the world. Join us the last Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 7pm at Campania Café on 416 S Main Street, Davidson!

May 2, 2012 3rd Annual North Carolina Federal Environmental Symposium Fayetteville

For more information visit: http://www.ncmbc.us/2012NCFES.php Sponsored by the NC Military Business Center.

May 8, 2012 Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Charlotte

Charlotte SCORE hosts this workshop from 1 pm to 4 pm. $25. 6302 Fairview Road. To register and pay go online to www.charlotte.score.org. For information call (704) 344-6576.

May 15, 2012 Charlotte Informatics Conference Charlotte

Save the Date! 8-5 pm. Presented by UNC Charlotte, College of Computing and Informatics.

May 21, 2012 Entrepreneurial Success Charlotte

The sixth annual conference, in recognition of National Small Business Week, will be held on Monday, May 21, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Harris Conference Center located on Central Piedmont Community College's Harris Campus. Attend this event and gain valuable insight into what it takes to achieve entrepreneurial success. The advice from our experts will give you a clear sense of direction as you navigate today's new reality and move closer to a future filled with bright possibilities. $39. To Register: https://shop.cpcc.edu/sbw/ For more information, contact CPCC Institute for Entrepreneurship, 704-330-6775



May 22, 2012 (starting) Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Series #2 to #5 Charlotte

Charlotte SCORE hosts this workshop series - $100 for all four sessions. 6pm to 9 pm. To register and pay go online to www.charlotte.score.org. For information call (704) 344-6576. Ben Craig Center.

workshop series - $100 for all four sessions held at the Ben Craig Center, Inc -

Session 2 – May 24th – Developing Your Business Concept

Session 3 – May 31th – The Marketing Plan

Session 4 – June 7th - Financial Plan

Session 5 – June 14th - Funding Sources and Next Steps

May 31, 2012 Green Networking Davidson

The Project for Innovation, Energy and Sustainability hosts Green Drinks the last Thursday of every month. In May, Emily Parker from Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition is the featured speaker. Where environmentally minded individuals, green businesses and non-profits meet to network and work together to make a difference in the world. Join us the last Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 7pm at Campania Café on 416 S Main Street, Davidson!

June 5, 2012 Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Charlotte

Charlotte SCORE hosts this workshop from 1 pm to 4 pm. $25. 6302 Fairview Road. To register and pay go online to www.charlotte.score.org. For information call (704) 344-6576.

August 22, 2012 Microfinancing for Entrepreneurs Charlotte

Sponsored by the Charlotte Chamber, this event will discuss microfinancing options for small businesses. 1-5 pm.