Lt. Governor's Conference on Small Business Development

Keystone Sponsor: U.S. Bank

The Wisconsin Small Business Academy is a multiple day virtual conference focused on providing the state’s entrepreneurs and start-up businesses an opportunity to connect with financial and technical resource providers, learn the tools needed to start and grow a business, and network with business owners. Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes (invited) will serve as keynote speaker emphasizing the importance of small business to the state’s economy.

The program will include presentations by successful entrepreneurs. Participants will have the opportunity to explore small business topics by choosing from various break out sessions to be conducted during the event. Break out sessions follow two tracks: Starting your Business or Growing your Business, and they will be led by an expert in a specific area of business.

In addition to presentations and break out sessions, a number of local resource and economic development organizations will be on hand to provide information about the small business support services they provide. On Thursday, October 8, participants will have an opportunity to connect with others and discuss topics related to specific industry clusters, including child care, retail, construction, agriculture, hospitality/entertainment, and online business.

Agenda and Program Details

This event will be from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on October 6 -7, and from 8:30 a.m. until noon on October 8. Information about the agenda and program details will be added later. An update will be sent to anyone who has already registered. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the SBDC office for such assistance by email at sbdc@uwlax.edu or phone 608.785.8783.

For information regarding this event, send an email to: info@sbeacademy.com.

Conference Partners

This program is presented by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), in partnership with the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI), the Ethnic & Diverse Business Coalition (EDBC), the Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC), the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

About the WEDC

The WEDC leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit wedc.org or follow WEDC on Twitter @InWisconsin to learn more.

About the SBDC

The SBDC at UW-La Crosse is organizing the event registration and is part of a statewide network of SBDCs working with business owners and entrepreneurs to facilitate growth and improvement, and to help launch successful new companies. Through no-cost consulting, low-cost entrepreneurial education, and strategic facilitation, SBDC experts serve as resources for small and emerging midsize companies.  The Wisconsin SBDC is hosted by the University of Wisconsin System Administration and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  Visit https://wisconsinsbdc.org/.

The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

About the WPI

The mission of the Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) is to assist Wisconsin businesses in all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties to create, develop and grow their Federal, State and Local Government sales, revenues, profits and jobs. The Federal government spends over $600 billion and the State of Wisconsin spends about $3 billion on goods and services each year. WPI provides the help that is necessary for businesses to succeed in winning Government awards and contracts. Visit https://www.wispro.org to learn more.

About the EDBC

The Ethnically Diverse Business Coalition works to improve the business environment in Wisconsin in order to build stronger ethnically diverse businesses who can compete in a global economy. Member organizations of the EDBC are focused on working collaboratively together to facilitate entrepreneurship and growth, to advocate collectively on shared issues, and to increase each member’s organizational efficiency.

https://www.edbcwisconsin.org/

About SBTRC

IHCC is a grantee of the U.S. Department of Transportation and hosts the Great Lakes Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) to serve the states of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The IHCC is a community of business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals committed to empowering individuals through economic growth. With decades of combined business experience, the organization engages entrepreneurs through community advocacy, networking, and innovative one-on-one training designed to help them be leaders and agents of change in today’s world. We contribute to the financial strength of the economy by helping businesses create jobs, increase their revenue and be more profitable.

www.transportation.gov/osdbu/greatlakesregion-sbtrc

About U.S. Bank

U.S. Bancorp, with 74,000 employees and $482 billion in assets as of June 30, 2019, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. The Minneapolis-based bank blends its relationship teams, branches and ATM network with mobile and online tools that allow customers to bank how, when and where they prefer. U.S. Bank is committed to serving its millions of retail, business, wealth management, payment, commercial and corporate, and investment services customers across the country and around the world as a trusted financial partner, a commitment recognized by the Ethisphere Institute naming the bank a 2019 World’s Most Ethical Company. Visit U.S. Bank at www.usbank.com or follow on social media to stay up to date with company news.