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Two Keynote Speakers Assess Region’s Business Health: Make Connections and Learn How to Finance Your Business At This Year’s Loudoun SBDC Building Business Together Event on April 28
MEDIA CONTACT:
Corporate and Community Relations, 703-726-3650;
[email protected]
Cathy Campbell
703-430-7222; E-mail
Kurt Krause
703-724-5648
ASHBURN—Entrepreneur and Angel funding expert John May and Julia Spicer, Mid-Atlantic Region Venture Association’s Executive Director, offer clues to the region’s business health during the Loudoun Small Business Development Center’s annual Building Business Together: Making Connections!
Now in its fourth year, the event is scheduled on Thursday, April 28, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at The George Washington University Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn. More than 18 workshops and seminars, including a Finance Fair track, are designed to support Loudoun business by sharing best practices and making good business connections.
Loudoun’s entrepreneurs and business owners will find the answers to their financing questions and more in the Finance Fair Track, cosponsored by the Loudoun County Economic Development Commission Marketing and Business Retention Committee chaired by Kurt Krause, General Manager of the National Conference Center.
“Loudoun’s business growth potential is phenomenal,” said Krause, “but many startups don’t know about or understand the variety of funding options available to them. Our panel has experts on Angel Funding, Venture Capital, Federal SBIR and Gap Funds, Bootstrapping, as well as traditional bank funding,” Krause continued. “Business owners participating will have a clear advantage. This is an event you don’t want to miss.”
Michael Matteson, President of the Loudoun SBDC Board of Directors, added, “Partnering with the SBDC to offer this Finance Fair provides our business community with a solid information resource throughout the year and an expanded annual education and networking event.”
The Finance Fair opens at 8 a.m. with keynote speaker John May, Managing Partner of New Venture Group. May was named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of its 100 Tech Titans of the DC Region. The “Financing Business Growth” panel follows with Jim Chung, Director of Entrepreneurism at GW; Cheryl Beebe, Senior Vice President at Cardinal Bank; Tom Weithman, VP for Entrepreneurship and Investment Services for CIT and Managing Director of CIT Gap Funds; Scott Hamberger, CEO and Co-President of Fortessa, New Advantage Group’s John May, and Jonathan Aberman from Amplifier Ventures.
Following the panel discussion, each panelist will lead a breakout session, in turn followed by a “Speed Financing” session, similar to speed dating, where those seeking financing information to develop or expand their business or fund an invention can meet one-on-one with several financing experts.
Other tracks at Building Business Together: Making Connections! include seminars on Live Video Production/YouTube, Social Media/Blogging, Mobile Apps/QR Codes/Websites, Sales, Customer Service, Generational Marketing, Federal Contracting, and Agribusiness Resources. But, it’s not all business! A Silent Auction and Exhibit Hall will offer great opportunities from local businesses, and an Evening Mixer tops off the event with one of the best networking sessions of the year.
The Loudoun Times-Mirror is Media Sponsor for the combined event, The GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus is the event host and breakfast sponsor, and the Loudoun County Economic Development Commission is one of the luncheon sponsors for the Finance Fair.
Registration is $65 through April 22 or $80 at the door. This fee covers all workshops, continental breakfast, lunch, and the evening mixer with wine and refreshments. To register or for more information, visit www.LoudounSBDC.org, e-mail, or call 703-430-7222. Pre-event networking and check-in for the Finance Fair begins at 7 a.m. at The George Washington University Virginia Science and Technology Campus, Exploration Hall, 20101 Academic Way, Ashburn, VA 20147. Directions.
The Loudoun SBDC is a member of the Virginia SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration. The Loudoun County Economic Development Commission is a public/private partnership responsible for promoting the county’s economic development. The EDC advises the Board of Supervisors on issues and provides support to the Department of Economic Development whose mission is to promote economic growth and opportunity by attracting targeted new businesses, supporting existing businesses, and cultivating our rural economy.