Mark Your Calendar: Business EXPO 2006 is Right Around the Corner!
Expect to be impressed! At Business EXPO 2006, a full gamut of business and industry representatives will be on hand to showcase their services, from IT support firms to transportation services to catering and paper shredding companies—and everything in between. At the event, you'll learn about new and emerging technologies, interact with premiere business leaders and creative entrepreneurs, and be at the very heart of a thriving business community. If there is something your business needs to be more productive, efficient or customer friendly, you'll find it at EXPO 2006.
The event will be held on Thursday, April 20th from 10 am - 7 pm at the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center.

Encourage your staff to attend EXPO to take advantage of the outstanding networking and educational opportunities—there truly is something for everyone at this year's event. And don't forget, you're sure to meet others interested in your business, too! For more information about EXPO, please visit www.BloomingtonExpo.com.

Jack Harding, Co-founder, President and CEO of eSilicon, Coming in Bloomington
The Bloomington Economic Development Corporation is partnering with the Institute for Development Strategies at SPEA to bring Jack Harding to Bloomington. You and your guest are invited to lunch and an exciting presentation entitled Challenges for Entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley -or- is My Job Moving to India?

Harding holds a B.A. in Economics and Chemistry from Drew University, where he has served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He is a finalist for the electronics industry’s prestigious 2006 Executive of the Year Ace award and was a finalist for Silicon Valley Entrepreneur of the Year in 2004. He speaks frequently about the impact of technological change and entrepreneurship on regional economic development at venues such as the Lothian European Lecture Series in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Stanford University’s Silicon Valley Networking Project.

Thursday, April 13, 2006
11 am– 1 pm Lunch – Presentation
Bloomington Convention Center
302 S. College Ave.
Please RSVP by April 7, 2006 by calling 812-335-7346

Sponsored by:
The Institute for Development Strategies and the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation

Register Today for the Business EXPO 2006 Seminars
Business EXPO offers a dynamic lineup of seminar speakers with something for everyone on April 20th at the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center. Seminars are sponsored by Monroe Bank and the Small Business Development Center. All seminars require pre-registration. Register for seminars by calling SBDC at (812) 339-8937.

Breakfast Kickoff: Community Outlook
Mark Kruzan, Mayor, City of Bloomington
Joyce Poling, County Commissioner, Monroe County
Kirk White, Director of Community Relations, Indiana University
Join three local community leaders for a discussion on Bloomington's current business climate and the trends that could affect its future. A great way to kick off EXPO in the know!
8:30-9:45 am
Fee: $30, includes breakfast

Don't Get Hooked! Phishing and Desktop Security Awareness
Jared Beard, White Iron Data
Alex Tsow, Indiana University, School of Informatics
Learn from two experts on how to protect your home and office computer from the average desktop hacker, and security and phishing threats.
10:15-11:30 am
Fee: $25

Keynote Lunch Seminar: The State of the Indiana University Athletics Department
Rick Greenspan, IU Athletic Director
As any Hoosier sports fan knows, change is in the air for the IU Athletic Department. Early registration recommended— this seminar is expected to fill up quickly!
12:15-1:30 pm
Fee: $30

No Time for Time Management!
Tatiana A. Kolovou, Training Consultant with Team Performance
Learn how to manage e-mail overload, use technology to your advantage, and answer simple prioritization questions that will help your work smarter.
2:00-3:15 pm
Fee: $25

Bloomington's Best Kept Secrets: Tools, People and Services to Help Grow your Business
Pamela Wasmer, Monroe County Public Library
Randy Smith, Monroe County GIS Coordinator
Manasi Watts, Small Business Development Center
The experts at this workshop will teach you about tools and services in Monroe County that are available to you to help your business grow and succeed.
3:30-4:45 pm
Fee: Free

Reserve your seat today by contacting Terri Brown at the Small Business Development Center, 812-339-8937

Leveraging Industry Information
Wondering where your business is headed? A good way to identify current and future trends is to learn more about the direction of your overall industry. Check trade journals and contact your trade organizations to review statistics and trends as they relate to your industry and your geographic region.

The Monroe County Public Library has several resources to assist local business with obtaining this information. These include:
• Reference USA
• Newsbank: America's Newspapers
• INSPIRE
• Associations Unlimited
and much more.

April 7: New Economy, New Rules Seminar
What: Series of video conference presentations from industry leaders geared towards the information technology industry.
Where: inVenture, 501 N. Morton St., inVenture Conference Room
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Marilyn Skirvin, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 812-335-7346

April 12: Icebreakers :: GET CONNECTED
What: Bloomington's after-hours networking event for tech-based businesses.
Guest: George Telthorst, Boston Scientific
Topic: Preparing your company for sale.
Where: Upland Brewing Company, 350 W. 11th St.
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: inVenture, 812-335-7356

April 13: Jack Harding, Co-founder, President and CEO of eSilicon
What: Presentation on Challenges for Entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley -or- is My Job Moving to India?
Where: Bloomington Convention Center, 302 S College Ave.
Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Contact: RSVP by April 7th, BEDC, 812-335-7346

April 18: Life Sciences Lunch Series
What: The Indiana Health Industry Forum and Barnes & Thornburg present a monthly seminar series on critical issues in life sciences.
Where: Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington Campus
Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Contact: BEDC, 812-335-7346

April 18: Tech Tuesday
What: A series of video conference presentations with a networking and educational component for Bloomington technology businesses.
Where: inVenture, 501 N. Morton St., inVenture Conference Room
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Terri Brown, inVenture, 812-335-7356

April 19: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS)
What: Learn what it takes to start your own business and become your own boss
Where: SBDC, 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Cost: $25
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)

April 20: Business EXPO 2006
What: You are invited to see over 150 local busineses showcase their goods and services.
Where: Bloomington/Monroe County Covention Center, 302 South College Ave.
Time: 10:00 - 7:00 pm

April 20: Business After Hours
What: Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce monthly Business After Hours
Where: Bloomington/Monroe County Covention Center, 302 South College Ave.
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Sponsored by: Accounting Strategies, Inc., Akento Technology Sourcing, Inc., Classic Catering, Eagle Pointe, Personnel Management Inc., Quick Pic Photo

April 25: Artists After Hours
What: Bloomington Area Arts Council Artists After Hours
Where: John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut Street
Topic: Copyright Law for Muscians
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Contact: Nancy Krueger, 812-334-3100

May 5: New Economy, New Rules Seminar
What: Series of video conference presentations from industry leaders geared towards the information technology industry.
Where: inVenture, 501 N. Morton St., inVenture Conference Room
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Marilyn Skirvin, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 812-335-7346

The Edison Light Bulb, the Chevron “Chevron” & the Michelin Man: Intellectual Property Basics for Investors, Artists and Entrepreneurs

The South Central Indiana Small Business Development Center is presenting a Patents, Copyrights and Trade Secrets seminar. Jonathan F. Yates, Esq., a registered patent attorney with Liell & McNeil Attorneys, PC of Bloomington, will present the program entitled: The Edison Light Bulb, the Chevron “Chevron” & the Michelin Man: Intellectual Property Basics for Investors, Artist and Entrepreneurs.

The seminar will cover identification and protection of Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Trade Secrets, followed by a question and answer session.

This seminar will be held on Friday, May 12th from 3:00-4:30 pm at the SBDC, 501 N Morton Street, Suite 106 and the cost is $25 to attend. Registration is required and space is limited, so call 812-339-8937 to reserve your seat today!

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