10th Annual Small Business Expo Presentations Provide Solutions for Surviving the Economic Downturn

April 22, 2008 - PRLog -- The Small Business Expo & Conference, one of the largest small business events in the Midwest, is holding it’s 10th annual event at the Minneapolis Convention Center, Thursday, May 15, from 8:30am to 4:30pm. The theme this year is helping small businesses weather the current economic climate. The expo is produced by the American Association of MicroBusinesses (AAM), a non-profit professional association and resource for microbusinesses and entrepreneurs.

Keynote Presentations:
Betsy Buckley, President and Chief Rainmaker, What Matters
Be Your Best Rainmaker: Use Your Strengths to Bring in More Revenue, Profits and Clients...9:00am–10:00am
Attendees to this highly interactive rainmaking session will be able to map their own 100-day EveryDayRain(TM) action plan. And take back a rainstick to keep it pouring.

Carr Hagerman, Professional Street Performer, Co-Author of "Top Performer – a Bold Approach to Sales and Service," part-time Rat Catcher
Top Performer, a Bold Approach to Sales and Service...1:00pm–2:00pm
Carr Hagerman has taken the lessons learned from 30 years as a professional street performer on the best ways to harness and release natural energy to help grow people and companies.

Featured Presentations:
Nicole Middendorf, CDFA, CDS, Owner, Strategic Financial, Inc., Host of "More Than Money" on FM 107.1 WFMP
Managing Your Money Personally and Professionally...10:30am–11:25am
Nicole Middendorf has become a media "go to" financial expert. She is featured weekly on television stations KSTP and WCCO.

Gene Marks, “The Penny Pincher,” author of Streetwise Small Business Book Of Lists, columnist for American City Business Journals, Forbes.com.
Penny Pinching Tips for Small Business Owners...11:30am–12:30pm
Gene Marks writes a bi-weekly column for Forbes.com called Quicker! Better! Wiser! He also writes a bi-weekly column, The Penny Pincher's Almanac, which appears nationally in American City Business Journals.

John Risdall, Chairman/CEO, Risdall Marketing Group, LLC (RMG)
Don't Be a Victim of Economic Circumstance, Create Your Own Outcome - The Most Important Investment of Time, Money & Energy in Your Own Business and How to Make the Most of It...2:15pm–3:10pm
As the head of one the state’s oldest agencies, John Risdall oversees RMG's 12 major divisions including Minnesota’s #1 web developer, the 5th largest PR firm and the 7th largest ad agency.

Steven Schussler, Founder and Chairman, Schussler Creative, Inc.
Passion and Enthusiasm: The Most Powerful Engines of Success...3:15pm–4:10pm
As founder and creator of Rainforest Cafe and T-REX, Steve Schussler has a passion for conceiving concepts that appeal to the masses. Schussler Creative, Inc. is currently developing seven additional themed entertainment venues. He was also recently featured in an interview on CNBC's The Big Idea With Donny Deutsch.

Eight, 45-minute Workshops will be held throughout the day with a "start-up” track and an "established" track of small-business topics:
Terry Slattery—Differentiating Value: Translating Competitive Advantage Into Cash...10:30am-11:15am

Patricia Buttweiler—IRS Resources and Services...10:30am-11:15am

Don Raleigh—This Isn’t Your Father’s Internet...Marketing In the Age of Web 2.0...11:30am–12:3pm

Roger Belfay—Traps and Pitfalls in Intellectual Property Law...11:30am–12:30pm

Mick Lunzer—Top Performing Teamwork...2:15pm–3:00pm

Pamela Muldoon—Five Ways to Grow Any Business...2:15pm–3:00pm

Sam Richter—Is Your Business Consultant Some Yahoo Named Google?...3:15pm–4:00pm

Jeffrey Millunzi—Big Tax Savings for Small and Home-Based Businesses...3:15pm–4:00pm

Advance tickets are $35 and may be purchased at http://www.usamicrobiz.org or at the door for $40.

For more information on the presentations, workshops, and the Small Business Expo & Conference, go to http://www.usamicrobiz.org/expo or call 612-721-4249. To arrange an interview with a speaker, call Bonnie Stanley at 612-721-4249.

About the Small Business Expo & Conference
The expo is designed for both emerging and established entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to enhance their businesses, minimize risk, and discover business solutions through education, networking, commerce, and mentoring. It is also geared to individuals interested in becoming self-employed and who are examining business opportunities. In addition, the expo is a platform for finding new vendors, strategic partners, and clients and features regional government agencies and non-profit organizations that serve small businesses.

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About AAM:
AAM is a non-profit professional association and resource for microbusinesses and entrepreneurs. AAM provides education, networking, commerce, and mentoring to its members. For more information, visit the American Association of MicroBusinesses at http://www.USAMicroBiz.org or call 612-721-4249.