Buchanan to host small business conference in Lakewood Ranch

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, will lead a town hall meeting from noon – 1 p.m., Friday at the 2011 Small Business Growth Conference held during National Small Business Week at the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota Small Business Development Center, 7131 Professional Pkwy. E., Lakewood Ranch.

The town hall meeting, which is an opportunity for small business owners to discuss issues impacting their businesses, is part of a free one-day conference from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. hosted by SCF.

The conference features seminars that address important topics for today’s small business owners, including “Certifications for Growth,” “Growing Globally,” “Growing Through Traditional and New Media Marketing Strategies,” and “Financing Growth.”

Speakers include certified business analysts Maria Yepes, Bill McKown, Jim Parrish, Marty Zients, Art Mahoney, Dave Noel, and Wayne Brass.

For information or to register, visit scf.edu/SBDC or call (941) 408-1412.