International
Women entrepreneurs set their sights on the
world.
Women entrepreneurs interested in doing business in the
Asia/Pacific market can connect with potential partners during the
8th annual Global Summit of Women, September 13 to 15, at the
Furama Hotel in Hong Kong. To help women increase cross-border
business opportunities, the event offers networking sessions and
workshops on exporting, marketing and e-business. Entrepreneurs
will also have the opportunity to meet some of the world's most
influential women leaders, including the vice presidents of Costa
Rica and Uganda, who are honorary summit co-chairs.
The event runs $350 to $450, and registration must be completed
by August 13. For details, call (202) 835-3713.
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National
Uncle sam wants to share technology and
expertise.
Got a new technology you need help commercializing? Turn to the
National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC). Based in Wheeling, West
Virginia, this partially government-funded agency conducts an
independent assessment to help entrepreneurs evaluate the
commercial viability of their technologies. It will also help
entrepreneurs create product prototypes.
NTTC is open to anyone; fees vary depending on what individual
projects need. For information on services offered, call (800)
678-6882 or visit their Web
site.
California
New program brings family firms into the
fold
The Family Business Program, run by the University of Southern
California in Los Angeles, has expanded its operations to a second
Southern California location, offering classes and business
services at the school's Irvine campus.
The membership program bills itself as a "one-stop
shop" open to family-owned firms. It's designed to help
owners better run their companies and eliminate the isolation too
many of these entrepreneurs feel. The program offers networking,
mentoring and training in topics ranging from marketing to
succession planning.
A $4,000 per-company fee includes a one-year membership to the
program, unlimited access to its services and admission to any of
the half-day educational seminars held the first week of each month
from September to May. For information, call the program's main
office at (213) 740-0416.
Washington, DC, Area/New York
City
Microsoft talks technology at free
workshops.
This month, the National Black Chamber of Commerce and Microsoft
are sponsoring two free workshops to teach entrepreneurs how to use
technology to grow their businesses.
In addition to getting an in-depth look at how all the Microsoft
products work, entrepreneurs will learn how to take their
businesses to the Web as well as how to network diverse
computers.
Participation in the programs, set for August 7 in Beltsville,
Maryland, and August 9 in New York City, isn't limited to
African Americans. For information or to register, call (877)
435-7638 or visit www.msbigday.com/africanamerican.htm.
Illinois
Entrepreneurs can call on a high-level
advocate for help.
Illinois entrepreneurs now have the ear of the governor, thanks
to the recently created Small Business Advocate/Small Business
Utility Advocate position, now filled by Phyllis Scott.
The governor-appointed advocate serves as liaison between the
state's utility providers and entrepreneurial firms and works
with the business community on legislative and policy issues, such
as universal certification of women and minority entrepreneurs and
improved access to procurement opportunities. For more information,
call Scott at (312) 814-2121.
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