Expo this week via @constantcontact

(Columbus, Ohio, September 21, 2010) INCREASE Community Development Corporation (INCREASE CDC) will host more than 400 small businesses, non-profit organizations, corporate sponsors, and resource seekers at the 2010 Business & Community Resources Expo. The event, sponsored by the WesBanco Bank, City of Columbus Equal Business Opportunity, U.S. Bank, TechColumbus and PNC will take place on October 14, 2010 at the Aladdin Shrine Center located at 3850 Stelzer Road.

This year's Expo is designed to help small businesses as well as central Ohio residents grow their professional networks and to tap into resources available in their local communities. The organizers have worked diligently to attract presenters who are able to offer valuable information to aspiring entrepreneurs, existing small businesses and others looking to increase their knowledge about the central Ohio community. The event, which still has sponsorship opportunities and booth space available for businesses and community agencies, will also serve as a networking opportunity for sponsors and business owners in attendance.

“Our focus of this event is on small businesses and their development,” says Deonna Barnett, Marketing Manager of INCREASE CDC. “By supporting our small businesses with information and resources, we can continue to contribute to the economic development in the central Ohio community.”

Businesses and non-profits are strongly encouraged to take this opportunity to engage with Central Ohio by showcasing their services. Sponsorship and registration opportunities for the Business & Community Resources Expo will remain available until Friday, September 30, 2010. Booth space starts at $100.

INCREASE CDC has trained over 600 aspiring entrepreneurs on business planning and financial literacy and has started or expanded more than 100 businesses throughout Central Ohio. INCREASE CDC is funded by the Ohio Department of Development, Ohio CDC Association, Franklin County Department of Economic Development, and most Central Ohio banking institutions.

Are you looking for a way to expand your contact base, generate ideas, and gain new customers? If so, come out to the INCREASE Community Business Network Luncheon.

The next INCREASE Community Business Network Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This month’s speaker will be Bryan Sirak of Columbus Coaching. The topic will be "The Formula for Success."

From Bryan Sirak’s bio:

Bryan has extensive experience and a background in sales, sales management as well as the restaurant industry. He spent 10 years in restaurant management and 15 years in advertising sales and management. While Serving as President of the Central Ohio area of a direct mail company, Bryan started the branch and agrresively grew it fom just himself to two branches generating $3 million plus in revenue. This included numerous sales people as well as administration staff.

The INCREASE Community Business Network luncheons are free to business network members and $10 for non-members. The event will take place at The Meeting Place, which is located at 2215 Citygate Dr, Columbus, Ohio 43219.

RSVP by calling 614-476-1758 or by sending an email to info@increasecdc.org.

Event: INCREASE Community Business Network Luncheon

Date & Time: Wednesday, March 24, 2010... 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location: The Meeting Place, 2215 Citygate Dr., Columbus, OH 43219

Cost: FREE for members, $10 for non-members

The next “How to Start a Business” workshop will take place on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at the Main Library in Columbus, Ohio.

In this workshop, participants will learn where to find the taxation and business registration documents needed in order to launch a legal business in the state of Ohio.

This workshop is free to the public, very informative, and a must for all aspiring entrepreneurs. Space is limited, so reserve a seat today. For more information, call 614-476-1758 or send an email to info@increasecdc.org.

Date & Time: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 ... 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Columbus Main Library, 3rd Floor Boardroom, 96 S Grant Ave, Columbus, 43215

We have enabled online voting capabilities for those wishing to vote for this year’s micro-entrepreneur award recipients. After receiving nominations from the community, INCREASE CDC will honor seven (7) micro-entrepreneurs at its annual awards ceremony. Additionally, a well-deserving graduate of the INCREASE CDC business planning training program will be named Alumnus of the Year. The categories for the 2010 Micro-Entrepreneur of the Year Awards include:

1. Consumer Service & Trades
2. Health
3. Technology
4. FIRE: Financial, Insurance & Real Estate
5. Media & Entertainment
6. Non-Profit
7. Retail

Of the 40 nominations submitted in 2009, 24 finalists were chosen. INCREASE CDC received more than 800 online votes, and with those ballots, narrowed the list to seven names. When the votes were tallied, the organization recognized seven well-known community leaders including Pamela Lowery of Favor Magazine and Roland Tyler of Roland’s clothing.

Online votes for the 2010 Micro-Entrepreneur of the Year Awards will be accepted through Saturday, March 27, 2010. Duplicate votes will not be counted. The date, time and location for this year’s event are as follows:

This year’s award ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the Aladdin Shrine Center, which is located at 3850 Stelzer Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43219. There will be a networking reception from 5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. The award ceremony will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is $10.00.