Track and Session Information
This is track information from the 2008 Women's Business Conference, which was held on April 17, 2008.
Special Sessions
"Using Wisconsin's New WBE Certification to Expand Your Markets"
(Welcoming Address @ 8:30 - 8:50 am)
by: Pam Christenson, Director, Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Technology Development, Wisconsin Department of Commerce
In 2007, the State of Wisconsin introduced a new business enterprise certification program, providing woman owned businesses with a credible certification that validates their business ownership status. The new WBE certification program was designed to facilitate contracting capabilities for women with both the public and private sector. If your business provides a service or a supply that is needed by the government or a corporation, then the new WBE certification may be right for you. Learn more about the program at the conference opening address.
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"Conflict and Chaos -- Our Happy Tools"
(Keynote Address @ 12:00 - 12:30 pm)
by: Peg Leinenkugel, Customer Communication Director (1996-2007), Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Women expect to fulfill all their varied responsibilities in perfect form and in record time with smiles on their faces. Yet, at the same time, they experience guilt for not doing enough. It's also not unusual for us to feel that quite often we're being taken advantage of by family members and co-workers. Peg Leinenkugel will help us to re-evaluate our expectations and put a plan in place to help bring a little contentment and peace in our daily lives.
Track 1: Business Basics
No matter how long you've been in business, you can always learn more about running or expanding your company. Listen to experts who can help you grow your business and avoid pitfalls.
"Record Keeping - Keeping It SO Simple"
(Session 1 @ 9:00 am - 10:15 am)
by: Evlyn Carlile, Simple Office Solutions
Starting business off right - knowing what records to keep, deciding on type of system that will work for you. Developing simple organizational and record keeping skills to stay tax ready and take the stress out of year end. Setting up a bookkeeping system that helps you in your business decisions.
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"Essentials of Reviewing, Preparing, and Understanding Contracts"
(Session 2 @ 10:35 am - 11:45 am)
by: Linda Danielson, Ruder Ware
Most business owners deal with contracts on a regular basis, so understanding contract law is essential to a successful business and avoiding legal disputes. In this session, we will discuss what constitutes a binding contract, basic terms often used in contracts, and what issues you should consider as you review and prepare contracts related to your business.
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"Make The Federal Government One Of Your Customers"
(Session 3 @ 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm)
by: Kim Garber, Wisconsin Procurement Institute & Linda Krysiak, Small Business Administration
This year the Federal government will spend close to $400 billion in procurement of goods and services. Special guidelines have been established by the government to buy from Small Businesses and Women Owned Businesses. We will tell you how you can pursue these opportunities and how Wisconsin Procurement Institute and the Small Business Administration can assist you. We want to have the government spend our Federal tax dollars doing business with businesses in Wisconsin...especially with your business.
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"Panel Discussion: Paycheck to Profit"
(Session 4 @ 3:30 - 4:30 pm )
by: Kelly Berry, ResourceAbility, LLC & Eric Nelson, The Coffee Grounds & Luke Wren, Highland Fitness
Our three panel members have all made the switch from employee to business owner and are here to share their stories. Learn about the challenges they faced as they moved from the steady paycheck of an employer to the less predictible income of a business owner. How did they plan for the change - and what would they do differently if they could do it over again? Listen to their stories and ask questions to help prepare for your own role as a business owner.
Track 2: Marketing Must-Know
If you have a business, you need to promote it! Learn about the different ways you can market your business in an effective - and cost effective - manner.
"Press Releases and Publicity"
(Session 1 @ 9:00 am - 10:15 am)
by: Tom Giffey, Leader Telegram & Dale Karls, Western Dairyland
How do you write a press release to promote your business? More importantly, how do you get it published? In this session you'll see real-life examples of good and bad press releases, and you'll learn how to effectively communicate with newspapers, tv stations and radio stations. You'll also learn about alternatives to press releases that will get your name in the news.
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"Maneuvering the Marketing Minefield"
(Session 2 @ 10:35 am - 11:45 am)
by: Michele Dalton, Digital Daisy
Is generating interest in your small business a daunting task? Are the costs associated with advertising too extraordinary to contemplate? Then join Michele Dalton from Digital Daisy Media for a brief look at ways to avoid the money-traps and landmines associated with traditional marketing methods.
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"Essence of a Good Ad"
(Session 3 @ 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm)
by: Bill Sparkes, Clear Channel Media
Are you confused about advertising and what to say? You're not alone. What IS in a good ad? What makes one commercial stand out from the other? Join Bill, from Clear Channel Radio, and find out what the basics of a good ad are, and what to avoid. Learn where the foundation of a good ad starts, and how to make every campaign, radio, print, directmail, TV or otherwise...a successful one!
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"Panel Discussion: Free and Cheap Web Tools"
(Session 4 @ 3:30 - 4:30 pm )
by: Karman Briggs, Wisconsin Common Market & Toni Hudzina, Applied Interfaces, LLC
Have you bought an expensive tool (or tools) to develop and maintain your web site and think you bought more than you needed? Or do you look at the price tags of brand name web tools and decide that maybe you can do without a web site at all? Toni Hudzina of Applied Interfaces and Karman Briggs of Wisconsin Common Market, will provide you with a list of free or low-cost tools that will allow you to develop or maintain your web site, as well as photo editors, PDF creation tools, and more. We'll also discuss certain new 'Web 2.0' technologies and how you can integrate them into your web site.
What people are saying...
..."What a high level of information for such a wonderful cost!"...
..."The whole event was very well planned and carried out. I enjoyed it"....
..."Excellent seminars, good presenters "...
Track 3: Networking
Come network, learn, and share with other small business owners! Pick your topic and join in the discussion! Each roundtable will have a moderator to help guide discussion if needed. Bring your thoughts, experiences, and business cards!
"Best Practices Roundtable: Insurance"
(Session 1 @ 9:00 am - 10:15 am)
by: Sheila Dutton, American Family Insurance
Are you confused about what type of insurance you need to protect your business? Or just confused on where to find it? Attend this round-table networking discussion to get input from local business people on business insurance tips.
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"Best Practices Roundtable: Funding Your Business"
(Session 2 @ 10:35 am - 11:45 am)
by: Dagmar Beckel-Machyckova, Downtown Eau Claire Inc. & Tegan Ruland, Associated Bank & Erin Trowbridge, Eau Claire Economic Development Corporation
Have you thought about starting or expanding a business, but a lack of ready funds gets in the way? Attend this networking round-table discussion to get advice from local business people on where to find solid financial resources to get your business started or keep it going.
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"Best Practices Roundtable: Home Based Business"
(Session 3 @ 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm)
by: Debbie Peak, Debbie's Designs & Laurel Robertson, Dinner's On, LLC & Nancy Rothwell, Straighten-Up Organizing
Don't dream it...do it! Discuss with other area professionals ways to find your niche, change and grow as your target market demands, stay true to yourself and your business ethics, and learn to balance "business" time and "personal" time while working from your home.
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Session 4 (3:30 pm - 4:30 pm)
Happy Hour
Join us in Brewski's Pub & Grill for drinks and networking.
Track 4: Curbside Counseling
Would you like to discuss your business one-on-one with a local business professional?
Sign-up for 60 minutes of personal counseling on general or specific issues surrounding General Business Planning, Business Financing, Internet/Web Sites, or Record Keeping during Sessions 1, 2, 3 or 4.
