Come Join Us at The Ohio Growth Summit June 9th and 10th!

How is this country going to come out of the economic crisis? It won't be by spending our tax dollars on federal bail-outs, large corporate downsizings or paying large bonuses to CEOs for implementing bad strategies.

The way this country is going to succeed is by entrepreneurs developing more innovative ways to do business. The Ohio SBDC is here to support small businesses. Their passion is helping you find ways to ignore the economy and continue to take your business to the next level. The Ohio Growth Summit on June 9th and 10th is "your" event. It is a celebration of your entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to making your dream a reality.

The Ohio Growth Summit features speakers (including Chris Brogan, Jim Canterucci, and Mike Figliuolo), partners and networking specifically tailored to helping you grow your small business. Register HERE for the event! Here is a rundown of what to expect this year:

Ohio Growth Summit Tweet-Up, June 9, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Talk about a place to do business? Is a couple hundred small businesses looking to build networks and partnerships to take them to the next level not to mention our brand partners who really support small business growth good enough for you? In addition, we will have a number of local inventors displaying some very cool things as part of our "Product Commercialization Showcase."

We are also presenting the Ohio Growth Summit Tweet-Up Keynote: Mike Figliuolo, founder and Managing Director of thoughtLEADERS, LLC. Mike will explore simple yet powerful methods to articulate your leadership philosophy. The Ohio Growth Summit Tweet-Up is open to the public regardless of whether or not you are able to attend the Summit the next day. The cost to attend is only $6. Don’t miss it.

Ohio Growth Summit, June 10, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
It's the day we've all been waiting for. You will benefit from the wisdom of great keynote presenters and be able to customize the experience by participating in one of our business growth breakout tracks. You will walk out at the end of the day with the tools to not only survive this economy but to, as inaugural Summit Keynote Guy Kawasaki says: kick butt!

Opening Keynote: Jim Canterucci, author of Personal Brilliance
Jim will help you bring out your brilliance in everything you do. Jim will discuss the four catalysts of Personal Brilliance: Awareness, Curiosity, Focus and Initiative and show how successful entrepreneurs have harnessed the four catalysts to take them and their business to a new level. Also, everyone in attendance will receive a complimentary copy of his best seller Personal Brilliance. Be sure to visit My Personal Brilliance to learn more about Jim.

Business Growth Breakout Tracks
This is your opportunity to customize the Ohio Growth Summit to your needs. Each track will include two, one hour sessions on a specific topic area. The tracks include:
• Social Media: Your Customers Are There, Are You?
• How To Successfully Take Your Company Global
• Invent, Build, Go To Market: Successful Product Commercialization Strategies
• An Entrepreneurs Guide: How To Get The Bank To Say "YES"

Closing Keynote: Chris Brogan, President of New Marketing Labs
Chris Brogan is one of the country's foremost authorities on social media and its applications for business and branding. Chris will show you strategies to reach your customers and others who need your product. Be sure to check out Chris' incredible blog, www.chrisbrogan.com to learn more about the power of social media and networks to build relationships and deliver value.

"Pitch It" Competition
You've all heard about the need to have an elevator pitch for your business but do you have one? If you do you could be selected to be part of the "Pitch It" Competition. You will get two minutes to pitch your business from the Summit's main stage to the audience and a panel of judges. The winner gets $500! Not too bad for 120 seconds of work.

You may be saying this looks great but much is it to attend? $200? $500? Why would we charge you that much? It's all about you. We want you to succeed and to succeed you need to be here. Registration is only $75. This includes a copy of Personal Brilliance, cutting edge business content, unparalleled networking and connections as well as breakfast and lunch (I know it's really all about the food).

Click here for registration. We hope to see you at the event!