Entrepreneurs Need to Stay Informed, Be Proactive

Now, more than ever, business owners and entrepreneurs need to stay updated and look for opportunities to learn new and effective strategies for succeeding in these very uncertain times.

BE PROACTIVE!

The most productive thing you can do right now is to focus on ways to help your enterprise operate more efficiently, productively and competitively. Taking full control and responsibility over the things you can actually control will give you more confidence, and a clear edge in the marketplace.

More than ever, the U.S. economy and our local communities will need the innovative and job-creating output of smaller businesses -- the proactive, successful entrepreneur is always on the prowl for information, resources, networking opportunities, events, trends and other information that can help their business move forward, even during periods of economic and financial system upheaval.

Here is an important conference that I am very involved with. Individuals in and around central Florida (or from anywhere in the U.S. as this is a NATIONAL conference) are encouraged to attend this FREE and exciting event:

2008 Opportunity Conference, October 23, 2008 Orlando, FL, Shingle Creek Hotel

The Annual 2008 Opportunity Conference will be an informative full-day event, hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor under the leadership of Secretary Elaine L Chao. The 6th annual conference celebrates the contributions of the nation's Asian Pacific, Hispanic, and African American communities, and will feature a series of plenary sessions and workshops all aimed toward enabling individuals and helping small business owners succeed, and operate more effectively. Of course, there will be time to network!

This full day event offers networking opportunities, as well as sessions focused on:

• Best Practices for Pursuing Supplier Diversity Programs
• Accessing Capital: Market Trends, Creative Strategies and Time-Tested Principles
• Practical Ideas for Improving Cash Flow, Trimming Expenses and Managing Costs
• Entrepreneur Success Stories: Hear from the Orlando area’s most successful entrepreneurs
• Market Trends in the Current Economy: Responding to Consumer Needs
• How to Find and Apply for a Federal Job
• Affordable and Effective Ways to Find, Attract, and Keep Skilled Employees
• Government Procurement for Beginners: What Your Business Needs to Do to Prepare for Government Contracting Work
• Procurement Opportunities: Next Steps --Using SBA Resources to Identify and Secure Federal Contracts
• The Flexible Workplace: How to Offer and Enhance Flexibility for Employees
• How to Apply for Federal Government Grants
• The WIRED Initiative and Regional Economic Development
• SBA Resources to Start, Develop and Grow Your Business

Keynotes and Featured Guests include:

• Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao
• U.S. Senator Mel Martinez
• Sandy K. Baruah, Acting Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration
• Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Chairman, Carlson Corporate, and author, "How We Lead Matters"
• Ybeth Bruzual and Eugene Ramirez, anchors, Central Florida News 13, Masters of Ceremony

There is still time to register for this FREE conference! Please share information about the conference with friends, colleagues and others who may want to take advantage of this unique and informative, one-day event. To register, and for additional information, please visit this link: www.OpportunityConference.gov.