Event offers small business advice, networkingOct. 3, 2008 KALAMAZOO--Free expert advice on the legal structures of business, financial management, tax information and marketing concepts will be available Thursday, Oct. 9, on the campus of Western Michigan University. WMU's Haworth College of Business and the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center are hosting an "Evening with the Experts" from 6 to 9 p.m. in Schneider Hall. The event is free and open to the public, although pre-registration is required by contacting the center at sbtdc-kzoo@wmich.edu or (269) 387-6004, or online at misbtdc.org. Steve Dobbs, the center's regional director, and Dr. Kenneth C. O'Shaughnessy, WMU professor of management, will make opening remarks at 6 p.m. Breakout sessions will focus on marketing with Dr. Michael McCardle, WMU professor of marketing; finance, with Kalamazoo area accountant Ed Stinson of Gould, Stinson and Gray, PC; and legal issues, with Leo Goddeyne of Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone will follow from 6:30 to 8 p.m. From 6:30 to 8 p.m., there also will be a session for existing business owners titled "Small Business Check-up," as well as a bankers financing panel discussion and a discussion on insurance by Brian Arra of Arra Insurance Agency. A networking business expo for all participants will follow the sessions from 8 to 9 p.m. The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center provides counseling, training and market research for Michigan's new business ventures, existing small businesses, expanding new businesses, new technology companies and innovators. It is located at WMU as a new partner to the University's Haworth College of Business. Media contact: Deanne Molinari, (269) 387-8400, deanne.molinari@wmich.edu WMU News |