WE MEAN BUSINESS EXPO 2010 - September 8th - Crowne Plaza, Warwick
To PRE-REGISTER for this free event, please see www.wemeanbusinessri.com
2010 Agenda:
9:30am - 5:00pm
September 8, 2010
Grand Ballroom
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick
9:30am
Kick-off with Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis and Michael Saul, Deputy Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.
10:00am
Expo Floor Opens
10:00am - 10:45am
Keynote Speaker - Jeffrey Fox, Fox and Company
Presented by Lucier CPA
Jeffrey Fox is an accomplished consultant, popular speaker and the acclaimed author of a series of hard-hitting international business best-sellers. Jeffrey Fox is the founder and President of Fox & Company, Inc., a marketing consulting firm that specializes in marketing strategy development, innovation enhancement, selling skills training, branding, and various applications of a proprietary value-selling methodology called dollarization.
11:00am - 4:00pm
Smart Start
Are you looking to start a business? How about growing your existing business? Let representatives from the Secretary of State's Business Services Division, RI Division of Taxation and Internal Revenue Service along with volunteer local attorneys and certified public accountants help you get your business off the ground and push you business forward. Limited Liability filings, patents, trademarks, tax documentation and Federal Identification numbers are just some of the items that can be completed
11:00am - 12:30pm
Workshop - Capabilities Statement - How Do Buyers and Customers Distinguish Your Company from the Rest?
Presented by Harsha Prakash, Rhode Island Manufactures Extension Services, and Lou Francis, Rhode Island Procurement and Technical Assistance Center
Learn how to create a Capabilities Statement highlighting your company's overall experience, expertise, resources, and specific services or products. Your written summary will appeal to both government and commercial markets and position you as a knowledgeable company in both supply chains.
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Workshop - Tax Diversifying Your Retirement Income
Presented by Sonali Virendra, New York Life Insurance Company
Learn ways to employ a sound retirement planning strategy in this modern day retirement climate.
2:45pm - 3:45pm
Workshop - I'm On Facebook, Now What? Social Media Marketing for Businesses
Presented by Julie Ruditzky & Laura Clarizio, Publicity Crew, a public relations firm
Learn how to turn those lifeless Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter accounts into active, powerful marketing tools. In this presentation, learn how other businesses are using social media marketing campaigns to attract customers and create your own strategy. Pick up some of the latest tricks to grow your online audience and gain publicity through online media outlets.
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Workshop - First Impressions: Exceptional Customer Service
Presented by: Heather R. Singleton, IOM, SR. Vice President, Education, Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association
Learn and fine-tune your customer service skills. Focusing on Communication, Conflict Resolution, Leadership, Problem Solving, and Teamwork
5:00pm
Expo Floor Closes
We Mean Business is your connection to business success in Rhode Island. Get help connecting with the right governmental and non-profit business organizations to start or grow your business; access a network of public and private consultants that can give you advice based on your business needs and learn about financing programs especially for the small business owner.
We Mean Business is a joint venture of Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis' First Stop Business Information Center and Every Company Counts, an initiative of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. The mission of We Mean Business is to connect Rhode Island business owners with local, state and federal agencies as well as the non-profit resources that impact their business.
This collaboration presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to discuss issues that impact their business and to get the information they will need to start, grow or improve their business experience in Rhode Island.
Past expos have attracted hundreds of exhibitors, small business owners and start-ups. In just three years, the two organizations have already made it easier for businesses to obtain forms, make contacts and get quick answers from government at all levels.
In addition to the opportunity to meet with government officials about registering a business, financing, taxes, licensing and permitting, the expo will offer free workshops on social media, starting a business and marketing.
This year’s expo sponsors include 790AM, RIMES, RIPTAC, New York Life Insurance Company, The Washington Trust Company, Beacon Mutual Insurance Company, Coventry Credit Union, University of Rhode Island – Feinstein Campus, Text Ripple, Capability Accelerators, Storage America, JobsInRI.COM, Jobzle.com, Lucier CPA, The Tech Collective, Focus Business Solutions, Xzito Creative Services, Rhode Island Blueprint.