2006 Fall Small Business Issue Forums Kick Off In September

Seattle - Washington Policy Center, the state's premier state-based research and education organization, along with its research center, the Center for Small Business and Entrepreneurship will kick off its Fall Small Business Issue Forums on September 21st in Wenatchee in cooperation with the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Small Business Issue Forums follow up the two Statewide Small Business Conferences held last year in Seattle and Tri-Cities. Attendees will hear from experts on small business access to health care, tax policy affecting small businesses, an overview of the statewide ballot initiatives and a preview of the 2007 Legislative Session.

"Small business owners don't often have the time and resources to keep up with the latest policy innovations and proposals that affect their business,"� said Small Business Center director Carl Gipson. "These Forums provide a way to get caught up on the important issues of the day."

Forum dates and locations:

• September 21 - Wenatchee Red Lion Hotel - 7am - 8:30am - $14
  October 11 - Yakima Red Lion Hotel - 11:30am - 1:30pm - $15
  October 12 - Tri-Cities Red Lion Hotel - 11:30am - 1:30pm - $15
  October 17 - Everett Golf and Country Club - 12pm - 1:30pm - $35
  October 19 - Vancouver Heathman Suites Hotel - 11:45am - 1:30pm - $25
  October 24 - Tacoma La Quinta Inn - 7am - 8:30am - $15
  October 26 - Spokane Red Lion at the Park Hotel - 11:30am - 1:30pm - $20

All Forums are conducted with cooperation of the local chambers of commerce in each city. All Forums include either breakfast or lunch.

Registration and pricing information can be found at smallbusinessproject.org or by calling 888-972-9272 - media is complimentary to all Forums.

Special thanks to: State Farm Insurance, Wells Fargo, Sterling Savings Bank, Washington Trust Bank, Columbia Bank, Building Industry Association of Washington Association of Realtors, Berntson Porter, CPA's, Washington Restaurant Association, Washington Health Foundation, and Lampson International.

Co-sponsoring the Forums: Wenatchee Valley Chamber, Ellensburg Chamber, Greater Yakima Chamber, Tri-Cities Regional Chamber, Tri-City Industrial Development Council, Tri-City Herald, Tri-City Journal of Business, Everett Chamber, Greater Vancouver Chamber, Tacoma/Pierce County Chamber, Greater Spokane Chamber, Spokane Valley Chamber, Association of Washington Business, National Federation of Independent Business, Independent Business Association, Washington State Hispanic Chamber, Washington Retail Association