News by SB Informer

COSE 2006 Small Business Conference to Be Held in October

SB Informer
Wednesday, June 21, 2006; 02:34 AM

The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) will hold their 2006 Small Business Conference on October 12-13, at the I-X Center in Cleveland. With more than 1,100 Northeast Ohio small business owners and entrepreneurs expected to attend, the small business conference will connect participants through two days of local and national keynote speakers, exhibitors, networking, workshops, and formal and informal meetings.

“This will undoubtedly be a great event for all who participate,” said Lou Licata, COSE Chairman and president of Licata & Associates Co. LPA, about the conference. “COSE is committed to providing small businesses with the tools necessary to make their businesses better and this conference will have everything they need in one place. There is no reason for any small business in the area not to come.”

Terry Jones, founder of Travelocity.com, and Dan Gilbert, chairman and founder of Quicken Loans and majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, will deliver two of the four keynote addresses during the conference.

The conference will create opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs to network, build alliances and learn about new products, services and trends. Along with the keynote speakers, numerous exhibits and sessions will offer attendees information and ideas to apply in their businesses. The conference features: a business resource center, which will allow participants to receive one-on-one counseling; learning labs, where speakers will deliver innovative business ideas; 65 breakout sessions on topics ranging from marketing to finance to advocacy; and 55 exhibitors in the trade show. The conference will educate small businesses to make better decisions and take action to help grow their businesses.

“This will be a very exciting and informational conference for small businesses,” said Steve Millard, executive director of COSE. “We know small business owners have many responsibilities and we think this conference will help them learn something new, whether it is strategies on marketing or legal advice.” Conference admission is a benefit to all COSE members—all COSE member companies may send one participant at no cost; additional employees from the same company are $199. Non-members are welcome, but must pay a registration fee of $499. Online registration is now available. Itinerary selection, with workshop and counseling scheduling capabilities, will soon be available online as well. More information and registration is available at www.cose.org/sbc.

COSE, the small business arm of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, serves as a one-stop resource for its 16,000 members by providing: group-purchasing programs that reduce the cost of doing business; education and development programs for small- and mid-sized businesses; advocacy on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the business community; a wide range of resources focused on helping firms grow; and economic development partners that can address business concerns. (www.cose.org)

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