2008 Sponsors and Exhibitors
ASBDC 28th Annual Conference = Chicago = September 2 - 5, 2008
TITANIUM LEVEL
Visa, Inc. – Welcome Reception
DIAMOND LEVEL
Intuit, Inc. – Opening Luncheon
VistaPrint – Thursday’s General Session/Lunch
TITANIUM PARTNERS
Administaff, Inc. – Friday Banquet
IBM – Friday Banquet
DIAMOND PARTNERS
Pitney Bowes – Exhibit Hall Reception (Thursday)
Staples – Exhibit Hall Reception (Thursday)
PATRONS
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
FastTrac®
Fidelity Investments
Franklin Covey
International Franchise Association
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
National Business Association (NBA)
NxLeveL™ Education Foundation
PLATINUM LEVEL
Borrego Springs Bank, N.A. – Tote Bags
Constant Contact – Software
Microsoft Corporation – Cyber Café
Palo Alto Software - Software
SILVER LEVEL
AskJim.Biz / Small Business Advocate – Lanyards
IMS – Hotel Key Cards
MyBizHomepage, Inc. – State Star Reception
BRONZE / COPPER LEVELS
Corporate Turnaround – Banquet Wine
Manufacturing Extension Partnership / NIST – Bag Tags
Sage Software – Conference Newsletter
U.S. Department of Homeland Security / E-Verify
GOLD LEVEL
Sprint – Printed Conference Program
GOLD PARTNER
Dow Jones - Wednesday AM Hospitality Center
ASBDC Greatly Appreciates the Generous Support
of Our 2008 Annual Conference Sponsors
Administaff
Website: www.administaff.com
Administaff provides America's best small and medium-sized businesses with comprehensive human resource services, including administrative relief, big company benefits, reduced liabilities and a systematic way to improve productivity. Small business is good for America. Administaff is good for small business.
APTAC
Website: www.aptac-us.org/new/
The primary mission of APTAC is to provide training to members engaged in providing procurement technical assistance services to the nation’s businesses. Services provided by the PTACs include training seminars and one-on-one counseling about federal, state, and local government procurement requirements (registrations, certifications, bidding opportunities, and bid preparation).
AskJim.Biz
Website: www.askjim.biz
AskJim.biz, the world’s foremost knowledgebase for small business, aggregates the knowledge of leading experts on virtually every small business topic, including the creator and renowned small business expert, Jim Blasingame. Designed to help Small Business Development Centers provide clients with management pain relief. AskJim.biz delivers answers with three critical characteristics: accurate, fast and free.
B2B Credit, Inc.
Website: www.b2bcredit.com
B2B Credit, Inc. is a premier national financial consulting firm specializing in establishing and managing business credit for both startups and existing businesses, without using the owners personal credit. Other services we offer small business owners include non-traditional loan packages, personal credit repair, and business plans.
Baldrige National Quality Program-NIST
Website: www.baldrige.nist.gov
The Baldrige Award is given by the President of the United States to business – manufacturing and service, small and large - and to education and health care organizations that apply and are judge to be outstanding in seven areas: leadership; strategic planning; customer and market focus; measurement; analysis; and knowledge management; human resource focus; process management; and results. The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) manages the Baldrige National Quality Program in close cooperation with the private
BizBuySell
Website: www.BizBuySell.com
BizBuySell is the Internet's largest and most heavily trafficked business for sale marketplace, with more business for sale listings, unique users, and search activity than any other service. BizBuySell currently has an inventory of over 50,000 businesses for sale, and more than 800,000 visitors each month. Visit www.BizBuySell.com for more information.
BizFilings
Website: www.bizfilings.com
Protect your personal assets and gain tax advantages by incorporating your business. BizFilings professionally forms corporations and LLCs in all 50 states faster than anyone else. Our rush services make it possible to file in as little as 24 hours. No Legal Fees. Guaranteed. Get started today!
Borrego Springs Bank, N.A.
Website: www.borregospringsbank.com
Borrego Springs Bank is pleased to introduce the Borrego Express Capital Loan Program. We offer long term working capital financing to businesses through a unique mix of SBA loan programs. We require all borrowers to receive both pre and post closing technical assistance from an SBA approved technical assistance provider.
Braddock Communications / Fedmine.US
Website: www.bradcom.com
Founded in 1974, Braddock Communications, Inc. is a creative publishing and marketing firm specializing in business- and government-related resource guides and other educational references. Its current releases include "Presidential & Congressional Election-Year Almanac • 2008" and "Practical Tech: Using New Technologies to Supercharge Your Small Business."
Business Gateway Initiative
Website: www.business.gov
Business.gov is the official link to the US government. Business.gov is managed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) in a partnership with 21 federal agencies known as the Business Gateway initiative. Business.gov provides a single access point to government services and information to help the nation’s businesses.
Business Owner’s Toolkit
Website: www.toolkit.com
Get "Total-Know-How for Small Business" at www.toolkit.com. Business Owner’s Toolkit empowers entrepreneurs with the information, tools and advice to help start, run and grow a successful small business. Produced by a team of business and finance experts, this award-winning online resource attracts well over 1 million page views per month.
Business Resource Service
Website: www.brs-seattle.com
For nearly 25 years, Business Resource Services has been the leading provider of financial management programs, and services to the independent business community in North America and Australia. Our financial performance process – Profit Mastery® - is a uniquely effective set of tools designed to improve both the profitability and cash flow of a business or business network.
Buzgate.org
Website: www.buzgate.org
Buzgate.org is a public/private collaborative project between America's public entrepreneurial assistance agencies and Knowledge Institute. As a free public service resource portal serving the interests and needs of small business, buzgate.org facilitates access to state-based business assistance programs and educational content targeted at supporting venture start-up, growth and profitability.
Center Dynamics
Website: www.centerdynamics.com
Center Dynamics provides web based client & event management systems for over 600 SBDC, PTAC, WBC, and economic development centers across the country. Our products include: Center IC, an SBDC CRM; and Center EX Client Extensions which integrates SBDC public web sites with Center IC for sophisticated online client collaboration.
Constant Contact
Website: www.constantcontact.com
Constant Contact, Inc. is a leading provider of on-demand email marketing and interactive communications services for small businesses, associations, and nonprofits. Through customizable, easy-to-use tools, including email marketing and online surveys, Constanct Contact helps all types of small organizations build stronger customer relationships, drive sales, and achieve success.
Corporate Turnaround
Website: www.corporateturnaround.com
Corporate Turnaround has helped thousands of smaller companies find financing, settle past-due debts, resolve tax problems and avoid bankruptcy. It's an amazing program where companies are saved and creditors are paid. We even have an iron-clad guarantee.
Dow Jones
Website: www.dowjones.com
Nurture and stimulate the minds of your employees in ways that ultimately lead to smarter business thinking and sharper business decisions with the multi-faceted Wall Street Journal Business SmartKit Program. In addition to a personal print and online subscription, the Business SmartKit delivers tools designed to stimulate conversation and encourage collaboration among employees.
DRDA, PC
Website: www.drdacpa.com
DRDA's BORSA plan is a tool which allows you to fund the purchase of a business, franchise, or business start-up using money in your qualified retirement without incurring taxes or penalties. Each plan receives an IRS favorable Determination letter.
E-Bay Education Specialist Program
Website: www.ebay.com/esp
Increase revenue for your center by adding eBay classes. There are trained Education Specialist instructors in your area that are ready to teach how to sell on eBay. Come to out booth or class to learn how you can find one in your area, or become a teacher yourself!
Entrepreneur Press
Website: www.entrepreneurpress.com
Tapping into the expert editorial resources of Entrepreneur magazine and an esteemed list of business experts, Entrepreneur Press provides practical applications covering everything from startup basics to business planning, advertising and marketing advice, global marketplace expansion and more, always supporting entrepreneurs with the clear-cut information and guidance they need.
The Entrepreneur’s Source
Website: www.theesource.com
The Entrepreneur's Source is a nationwide Coaching Firm with over 275 Offices. They assist individuals who are curious about or exploring self-employment and franchising as career alternatives. They also consult with businesses on expansion strategies, and ways to increase performance and profitability. The Entrepreneur's Source has partnered with E-MYTH Worldwide to offer entrepreneurial education programs and courses for Clients.
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Website: www.kauffman.org
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation works to bring the importance of entrepreneurship to the forefront of the American consciousness and supports programs that encourage people of all ages to engage in entrepreneurship. More information about the Foundation is available at www.kauffman.org.
The FAMEE Foundation
Website: www.famee.org
The FAMEE Foundation offers a FREE membership program to business consultants and entrepreneurs, which includes electronic versions of the CUSTOMER PILLARS book and workbook by former SBDC center director Curt Clinkinbeard, extensive online training courses, a consultant certification program, and more. Rich content developed by an SBDC professional for SBDC consultants and clients.
Fidelity Investments
Website: www.fidelity.com
Fidelity is the largest mutual fund company in the United States,* and is one of the world’s largest providers of financial services for more than 23 million individuals and institutions.
* Based on mutual fund assets by complex as reported by the Investment Company Institute.
Franklin Covey
Website: www.franklincovey.com
FranklinCovey is a global leader in effectiveness training, productivity tools, strategy execution, and assessment services. FranklinCovey helps companies succeed by unleashing the power of their work forces to focus and execute on top business priorities. Clients include 90 percent of the Fortune 100, more than 75 percent of the Fortune 500, and thousands of small and mid-sized companies.
FranNet
Website: www.frannet.com
FranNet provides no-cost guidance, information and support to individuals who are interested in purchasing a franchised business. FranNet consultants specialize in helping their clients find the right franchise through their exclusive matchmaking process. FranNet also hosts numerous educational seminars each month throughout the country and online.
iBank
Website: www.ibank.com
iBank gives each SBDC office an online way to process small business applications and match them to SBDC lenders.
1) vault which stores business information.
2) application which creates a loan application package.
3) lender Network which matches the right lender to the loan.
Contact Tom Markel - FREE DEMO - 877-999-6465 x130
IBM
Website: www.ibm.com
IBM is a proud sponsor of the ASBDC Annual Convention. To help small and mid-size businesses succeed and grow, IBM offers affordable and easy to manage solutions.
IMS
Website: www.ims.com
IMS is committed to small business success. Visit booth 324 and learn how to help your clients easily incorporate the right payment solution. Find out about IMS Cares™, an innovative program where merchants can divert a percentage of fees paid to IMS and donate them to a charity of the their choice. Enter daily raffles to win an iPod!
InfoUSA Government Division
Website: www.infousagov.com
The business and government word today is driven by information, and many government agencies are using database information services. For any of these services to succeed, the underlying database must be of the highest quality. If incomplete, inaccurate or out-of-date, the services derived from it will ultimately fail.
Inmatrix
Website: www.inmatrixinc.com
Inmatrix’s flagship product – Optimist – delivers modeling and stress-testing the financial impact of decisions before a business person commits time, money and human resources to find out the real-world results. Inmatrix provides the tools ASBDC members need to guide both start-ups and existing enterprises to prosper through superior business performance.
International Franchise Association
Website: www.franchise.org
IFA is the world’s largest and oldest organization representing franchising. Its mission is to enhance and safeguard the business environment for franchisors and franchisees worldwide.
International Sign Association
Website: www.signs.org
The International Sign Association (ISA) was founded in 1944 to represent manufacturers, users and suppliers of on-premise signs and sign products. Our members represent the industry at all levels, across the world. ISA exists to support, promote and improve legislation, regulations, codes and standards, which regulate the process of manufacturing, installing, servicing, sale and use of signage.
Intuit, Inc.
Website: www.intuit.com
After more than 20 years, Intuit continues to transform business and financial management for small businesses, accounting professionals and consumers. The company’s mission is to create new ways to manage personal finances and small businesses that are so profound and simple; customers cannot imagine going back to the old way.
JJ Hill Reference Library
Website: www.jjhill.org
The Hill Library is a business research library with an online resource called, “HillSearch”, that enables Counselors to help entrepreneurs to research markets, companies, industries and benchmarks for accurate business planning, with librarians providing practical help. HillSearch provides access to databases for an annual fee, steeply discounted for SBDC Counselors.
Manufacturing Extension Partnership – NIST
Website: www.mep.nist.gov
For almost two decades, MEP has focused on increasing the competitiveness of the United States industrial base by bridging the productivity gap for manufacturers, identifying growth opportunities, and encouraging technology acceleration. MEP provides customers with an array of fundamental services in business and process improvements making advanced technology adoption a reality for any sized business.
MicrosoftCyber Cafe
Cyber CafeWebsite: www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness
Small businesses have the enormous responsibility of running a business from top to bottom. The Microsoft Small Business Group is investing in new technologies designed to specifically address small business needs and is dedicated to providing local support. Together with its network of technology providers, Microsoft is dedicated to delivering the software solutions small companies need to reach their potential in today’s competitive market.
MyBizHomepage, Inc.
Website; www.mybizhomepage.com
MyBizHomepage’s free web-based service includes MyBizDashboard™, which lets entrepreneurs and small businesses see their QuickBooks data online, 24x7. It displays important and timely financial notifications. We send notifications by email and optional text messaging directly to users’ cell phones. Valuable Web 2.0 features include forums, events and profiles. MyBizHomepage.com is used in 42 countries around the world.
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
Website: www.nase.org
The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is the nation’s leading resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses, providing a broad range of benefits and support to help the smallest businesses succeed.
National Business Association
Website: www.nationalbusiness.org
A small business association dedicated to assisting the self-employed and small business community by using its group buying power to provide its members support programs, cost & time saving products, services and valuable small business resource materials.
NxLeveL® Education Foundation
Website: www.nxlevel.org
The NxLeveL® entrepreneurial training programs are practical, hands-on business development courses designed to help entrepreneurs advance their skills in starting, growing, and managing their business. NxLeveL® classes are offered throughout the United States through the NxLeveL® Training Network. The Network is a group of organizations engaged in entrepreneurial training that includes SBDCs, chambers of commerce, business incubators, community development corporations, USDA agencies, Native American groups, SBA funded training organizations, faith-based organizations and many others. In addition to exceptional training curricula, NxLeveL® continues to develop partnerships with organizations committed to small business development.
OnTheSystem
Website: www.onthesystem.com
OnTheSystem is the first enterprise class management software designed for small business. It makes managing a small business, easy! OnTheSystem offers FREE training and software to SBDC counselors and their clients. Call Jean Kulig-Tucker for more information: 1-800-999-9231 x709. You’ll be counseling and offering workshops in about 30 days.
Palo Alto Software
Website: www.paloalto.com
Palo Alto Software develops, publishes, and markets business and marketing software products for small to medium businesses. Its products offer task-oriented, “know how” solutions for small-business and home-office entrepreneurs, professionals, and consultants. The company is a privately-owned corporation in Eugene, Oregon.
Pitney Bowes Marketing Services
Website: www.pbmarketingservices.com
Pitney Bowes Marketing Services is a single-source solution for your direct mail needs. Signing up for a free account gives you access to dozens of professionally designed, customizable templates in a variety of different formats. Creating and sending direct mail has never been more efficient.
The Planning Shop
Website: www.planningshop.com
The Planning Shop specializes in creating business resources for entrepreneurs. The Planning Shop’s books and other products are based on years of real-world experience from entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors, lenders, and seasoned business experts. Hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs have used The Planning Shop’s products to launch, run, and expand businesses in every industry.
ProfitCents™
developed by Sageworks, Inc.
Website: www.sageworksinc.com
ProfitCents™ is a web-based tool that provides loan analysis, projection and forecasting, valuation, and real-time industry benchmarking data. It is a full-featured analysis suite for businesses and non-profits that also converts financial statements into plain language reports that include graphical analysis, trend and ratio analysis, and industry comparisons.
Regus
Website: www.regus.com
Regus delivers flexible workplace solutions tailored to the needs of today's small business. Providing business address, telephone answering, and Virtual Office services worldwide, Regus offers start-up and small business owners cost-effective office and business support packages for as low as $50/mo.
Sage Software
Website: www.sagesoftware.com
For more than 30 years, Sage Software has delivered easy-to-use, scalable and customizable software for accounting, customer relationship management, human resources, time tracking and the specialized needs of accounting practices and the construction, distribution, manufacturing, non-profit and real estate industries.
SBDCGlobal.com
Website: www.sbdcglobal.com
SBDC National Information Clearinghouse
Website: www.sbdcnet.org
The Small Business Development Center National Information Clearinghouse (SBDCNet) is the SBA sponsored market research arm and GIS mapping service FREE to the SBDC counseling and advising community. Staff provides timely research for counselors together with an open website of industry links, counselor-developed tools and an Internet-based requesting system.
SmallBizU
Website: www.smallbizu.org
Interactive, online products that help entrepreneurs plan, fund, and learn the basics of small business management. Tools include a business planning technique that quickly translates business ideas into business plans; a certificate training program that teaches entrepreneurs the basics of money; a collection of classes designed especially for small businesses.
Small Business Advocate
www.smallbusinessadvocate.com
Jim Blasingame is one of the world’s leading experts on small business and entrepreneurship. He is the creator and award-winning host of The Small Business Advocate® Show, the only weekday radio talk show dedicated to small business. A high-energy keynote speaker, emcee, panel moderator and trainer, Jim speaks to audiences in the U.S. as well as internationally. He is a best-selling author, syndicated columnist and creator of the small business knowledgebase, AskJim.biz®.
Small Business Institute, Inc.
www.sbinstitute.org
The Small Business Institute delivers training, products and consulting on the subjects of Business Development and Proposal Writing to WIN government and private-sector contracts. Our latest book, "Proposal Writing to WIN Federal Government and National Laboratory Contracts," is written by best-selling business author Joseph R. Jablonski. SBI can help your SBDC deliver affordable, specialized training to your clients.
Small Business Loan Exchange
Website: www.smallbusinessloanexchange.com
The Small Business Loan Exchange™ (SBLX), a free online marketplace connecting business borrowers with hundreds of lenders. Benefits include:
•Expert SBLX Credit Guide handholds borrower’s application
Expert SBLX Credit Guide handholds borrower’s application•Banks include national, regional and local lenders across the credit spectrum
Banks include national, regional and local lenders across the credit spectrum•Secure and Confidential
Secure and Confidential•Smart technology finds the right lenders
Smart technology finds the right lendersSoftshare, Inc.
Website: www.catseasily.com
Softshare’s sophisticated client activity tracking system, known as Softshare ‘CATS, is widely used by SBDCs and WBCs across the country. With good reason! Up-to-the-minute compliance with EDMIS and a robust set of online tools for tracking every aspect of your center’s client interactions make ‘CATS an invaluable asset. For more information, visit www.catseasily.com/cats.
Sprint
Website: www.sprint.com
Visit us to find out why Sprint is the #1 provider to business. Sprint has the products and services to help businesses succeed - from a worry-free, unlimited Simply Everything(SM) plan, to a one button call with Nextel Direct Connect®, to internet on the go with a Mobile Broadband card. Get it only on the Now Network™.
Staples
Website: www.staples.com
Staples makes buying office products easy at over 1500 retail locations.
Ultimate Business Planner®
By Atlas Business Solutions
Website: www.abs-usa.com
Ultimate Business Planner® software, by Atlas Business Solutions, is used by a fast-growing number of SBDC offices. UBP has helped thousands launch successful businesses, incorporating comprehensive business planning with automated financial forecasting. UBP walks users through every step with “plain-English” instructions and delivers a polished and professional business plan.
U.S. Bank
Website: www.usbank.com
U.S. Bank is the nation’s third leading SBA lender among banks and operates 24 specially designated SBA Business Center offices serving small business customers nationwide.
U.S. Census Bureau
Website: www.census.gov
The US Census Bureau’s Manufacturing and Construction Division (MCD) provides a wide range of statistical information about the Manufacturing, Mining and Construction sectors of the US Economy. We offer subscription services, electronic data files, CD-ROMs, and printed publications for a variety of business applications.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Website: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/index.html
USDA is committed to the future of rural communities. USDA creates jobs and stimulates economic development by funding the growth and creation of rural businesses and cooperatives. Rural Development works in partnership with the private sector and community-based organizations to provide financial assistance and business planning. USDA has a portfolio of over 6.8 Billion in loans and grants made to rural businesses. Assistance is provided through direct or guaranteed loans, grants, technical assistance, cooperative agreements, research and educational materials.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security / E-Verify
Website: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
E-Verify is a FREE Internet-based system that gives employers the ability to confirm the legal working status of a new hire in seconds. E-Verify is a partnership between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). For more information call 1-888-464-4218 or visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA
Website: www.osha.gov
OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Center for Veterans Enterprise
Website: www.vetbiz.gov
Our mission at the CVE is to improve the business climate for veterans, to minimize access barriers and to inform the public about the benefits of working wit veteran-owned small businesses.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Website: www.epa.gov
The Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAPs) created under the Clean Air Act, assist small businesses in meeting their environmental obligations. SBEAPs offer a range of services including: training, publications, advocacy, and one-on-one assistance. Stop by to learn about this valuable resource and potential partnerships to help small businesses.
United States Postal Service
Website: www.usps.gov
It’s never been easier for business – small and large – to ship packages via the US Postal Service®. Today’s world is a busy place. When you don’t always have time to get to the Post Office, usps.com brings the Post Office to you. Visit: www.usps.com to print shipping labels, pay for postage using Click-N-Ship® and even schedule a Free Package Pickup. Let the Postal Service bring the convenience of the post office right to your office.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Website: www.sba.gov
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent agency of the federal government that aids, counsels, assists and protects the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.
University of Houston–Victoria
Website: www.uhv.edu/bus
The University of Houston–Victoria provides a unique educational program that combines traditional economic development with entrepreneurship in a completely online format. The AACSB accredited program includes applied learning, case studies and team projects. The UH-V also offers MBA programs which can be completed online.
Visa, Inc.
Website: www.visa.com/smallbusiness
Visa Inc. operates the world's largest retail electronic payments network providing processing services and payment product platforms. This includes consumer credit, debit, prepaid and commercial payments, which are offered under the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink and PLUS brands. Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world, and Visa/PLUS is one of the world's largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit www.visa.com.
VistaPrint
Website: www.vistaprint.com
VistaPrint is the small business marketing company having served over 14 million customers world-wide. VistaPrint offers small businesses everything they need to market their business with brand identity and promotional products, marketing services and electronic marketing solutions. A broad range of marketing products and services are available online at http://asbdc.biz.vistaprint.com
Winmark Business Solutions
Website: www.wbsonline.com
Winmark Business Solutions is a FREE online resource for small business owners. New PeerSphere™ communities create an opportunity to learn from other small business owners. With over 6000 pages of business-critical information and discounted products and services, WBS is the premier resource to help small business owners run their business better, smarter and faster.
2008 Sponsor and Exhibitor Information
Products and Services
