Calendar of Events




Flavors of San Francisco

Location:
San Francisco City Hall
Date:
Monday, May 12
Time:
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Description:
A great opportunity for networking with other entrepreneurs, corporations and organizations. Come meet new customers and find plenty of leads. We'll also be featuring Flavors of San Francisco, with tastings from outstanding local restaurants, and a Resource Fair for you to connect with the wealth of assistance available to your business. SBA will also be presenting our awards for Small Business Week 2008. If you're in business, this is an evening not to be missed.
Website:
www.acteva.com/go/sfsbw
Sponsors:
Small Business Administration, Small Business Commission, Mayor’s Office, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, San Francisco Small Business Development Center, PG&E, Cisco Systems, IBM, Cliff House, Sunset Scavenger and Golden Gate Disposal, Visa, Inc.


Restaurant Bootcamp

Location:
Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason
Date:
Tuesday, May 13
Time:
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Description:
Create the Buzz: San Francisco Restaurant Public Relations Consultant Susie Biehler along with KGO’s Gene Burns are hosting a panel of social and print media experts who will answer your questions and give you advice on marketing your restaurant or lounge. Seminars and Workshops: An array of seminars and workshops throughout the day that range from getting your doors open to creating a great wine list for under 5K. Innovation Expo: Learn more about restaurant products and services at this one-stop-shop event. Come see the newest in scheduling software and the green product providers!  For information on how to attend or exhibit, go to www.restaurantbootcamp.com
Register:
www.restaurantbootcamp.com/register.html


Growing Your Business Online & Beyond

Locations:
City College’s Mission Campus
1125 Valencia Street
or
City College’s Ocean Campus
Rosenberg Library, Room 304
50 Phelan Ave.
Date:
Tuesday, May 13
Times:
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM at CCSF Mission Campus
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM at CCSF Ocean Campus
Description:
Learn how you can grow your business online and beyond with tools such as online merchant services, gift cards, and contact-less merchant services systems. You’ll also find out about how payment processing will change in the future and how those changes will affect your business.
Sponsors:
Wells Fargo, San Francisco SBDC


Writing Effective Business Plans

Location:
SBA Entrepreneur Center
455 Market Street
Date:
Tuesday, May 13
Time:
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Description:
Whether you are planning to start a new business or seeking to develop the potential of your existing business, a business plan is a critical foundation. This hands-on workshop will demystify the process, using case studies and exercises. You will develop a Business Plan template covering Marketing, Products, Organization, Customers, and Finance. Presented by SCORE.
For information, contact SCORE at (415) 744-6827.
Sponsor:
SCORE
Register:
www.acteva.com/go/sfscore
$30 registration


Start Your Own Business workshops

Location:
City College’s Ocean Campus
Rosenberg Library, Room 304
50 Phelan Ave.


Date:
Tuesday, May 13
Time:
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Description:
Learn the basics of getting your business up and running. Topics covered will include marketing, management, financing and resources. 
Register:
www.acteva.com/go/sfsbw
Sponsors:
Wells Fargo, San Francisco SBDC


Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Toolkit

Location:
IBM Corporation
425 Market Street, 20th Floor Room 20280


Date:
Tuesday, May 13
Time:
1:00 PM – 2:30 AM
Description:
The SME Toolkit is a complimentary online assistance is now available for small businesses that want to start or grow their business. The site (us.smetoolkit.org) provides small businesses with advice on typical business practices and the tools to help, such as online calculators for financial readiness, complimentary software to build a Web site, business forms for human resources, exporting guidelines, online forums, and multilingual business directories. Small businesses can also receive business training delivered via classroom workshops and partnerships with local support providers. The international site, originally developed by the IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank, was recently given a $1.6 million transformation by IBM, and has been expanded in the United States to target woman, Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native American entrepreneurs and small businesses. The international site is available in 28 markets and translated into 14 languages.
Register:
Please RSVP to Gwyneth Borden at gborden@us.ibm.com or 415.545.4516.
Sponsors:
IBM


Start Your Own Business workshops

Location:
City College’s Mission Campus
1125 Valencia Street


Date:
Tuesday, May 13
Time:
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Description:
Learn the basics of getting your business up and running. Topics covered will include marketing, management, financing and resources. 
Register:
www.acteva.com/go/sfsbw
Sponsors:
Wells Fargo, San Francisco SBDC


Start Your Own Business workshops

Location:
LGBT Community Center
1800 Market Street


Date:
Tuesday, May 13
Time:
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Description:
Learn the basics of getting your business up and running. Topics covered will include marketing, management, financing and resources. 
Register:
www.acteva.com/go/sfsbw
Sponsors:
Wells Fargo, San Francisco Neighborhood LGBT Economic
Development Office


Networking Event

Location:
LGBT Community Center
1800 Market Street
Date:
Tuesday, May 13
Time:
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Description:
SBA will co-host the Golden Gate Business Association’s monthly Make Contact networking event. GGBA is America’s oldest gay and lesbian chamber of commerce. 
www.ggba.com
www.acteva.com/go/sfsbw
Sponsors:
Golden Gate Business Association, Merchants of Upper Market and Castro, Wells Fargo


Access to Capital

Location:
Wells Fargo Bayview
3801 3rd Street #116


Date:
Tuesday, May 13
Time:
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Description:
More than half of small business owners say they would have had an easier time had more money and resources been available at the onset. This seminar will give you the information you need to access capital as well as other resources to successfully start and maintain a small business. 
Register:
www.acteva.com/go/sfsbw
Sponsors:
Wells Fargo, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center


Business on the Go

Location
455 Market Street, 6th floor
Dates:
Tuesday, May 13; Thursday, May 15
Time:
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Description:
In today's fast moving economy the successful business needs to stay connected to their customers while in the office or on the go. Linksys by Cisco and Cbeyond understand your busy schedule, and have designed a business communication's platform and telecommunications services package, to do just that. Whether you’re on a customer sales appointment, checking your email from a Cbeyond Black Berry, or even driving to your kids soccer game, the Linksys One System and Cbeyond Beyond Voice with mobile service packages are your complete small business communication solution. The Linksys One platform is a complete, affordable communications system for growing businesses, delivering business applications including: LAN/WLAN data networking, Network Security, Applications, IP Telephony, and Secure Internet Access through one high-speed connection from Cbeyond. Knowing you may wear multiple hats in a day at your small business, the Linksys One system and Cbeyond services allows you to take yourself out of the day to day management of you communications and focus on what keeps your business more profitable, even when your on the go...
Register:
cisco.com
Sponsor:
Cisco Systems


“Day in the Life” Small Business Conference

Location:
835 Market Street, Suite 700
Westfield Center
Dates:
Tuesday, May 13 – Thursday, May 15
Time:
1:00 PM–5:00 PM
Description:
Small Business owners have to wear many hats! Join Microsoft’s Small Business Essentials Conference to learn how to make all the hats you wear fit more comfortably. This interactive event provides a variety of valuable sessions each day. You’ll get tips, advice, and secrets from experts, plus free Microsoft Streets & Trips or Wireless Mouse, Training Voucher valued at over $300, and other give-aways.; plus participated in several raffles. Attend any or ALL sessions. Each day 20 participants will be able to attend Hands On Training (1st come, 1st serve)!

May 13, Tuesday
- Registration
- Keynote: Joanne Black - “The Power of Referrals”
- General Session on “Day in the Life”  (Live for Small Businesses – Sales & Marketing Focus)
- Sales & Marketing Session
- Effective Presentations
- Speed Networking
- Hands On Session: Easily Build your own professional Marketing collateral in-House

May 14, Wednesday
- Registration
- Keynote: Nigel Henry - “Unleashing Mastery Performance in Business”
- General Session on “Day in the Life”  (Live for Small Businesses –
Web Focus)
- Web 2.0:  Marketing to a new generation
- Automating Your Home Based Business
- Mobility Panel
- Hands On Session: Web Design Theory, Usability, and Easy Web Creation/Editing Using OfficeLive

May 15, Thursday
- Registration
- Panel Discussion: Financing Your Business
- General Session on “Day in the Life”  (Live for Small Businesses – Financial Focus)
- Managing Your Business Online
- Effective Presentations
- Risk Management Panel
- Hands On Session: Microsoft Office 2007 Tips & Tricks
- Come learn what’s different & new features in Office 2007



Register:
Wondering which sessions to attend, check out the details here: branassociates.com/MS-Small-Business-Week-Conf
Registration:
acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaID=157028
www.acteva.com/go/sfsbw
Sponsor:
Microsoft


The State of Small Business in San Francisco

Location:
City College Mission Campus auditorium
1125 Valencia Street
Date:
Wednesday, May 14
Time:
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Description:
Learn the status and trends from two highly informative panel discussions about this sector which produces job growth, economic vitality and helps define the uniqueness that is San Francisco. Hear from entrepreneurs, economic development professionals and government representatives. The SFEDA consists of 11 member organizations, which support and help develop small businesses and micro-enterprises in the City.
Register:
www.acteva.com/go/sfsbw
Sponsor:
San Francisco Economic Development Alliance


Grand Expo '08

Location:
Hilton Hotel
Grand Ballroom
333 O’Farrell Street
Date:
Wednesday, May 14
Time:
5:30PM – 8:30PM
Description:
A reception with more than 100 exhibitors which will include Chamber members, caterers, wineries and local non-profits.
Register:
www.sfchamber.com/grandexpo
Sponsor:
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce


Buying Commercial Real Estate 101

Location:
Wells Fargo
490 Brannan Street (Brannan and 4th)
Date:
Wednesday, May 14
Time:
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Description:
It’s one of the biggest dreams of every Small Business Owner: Owning the property where they do business. Join us for an in depth look at all the steps you need to take to realize your dream. We’ll discuss the sources of capital available to you, give you valuable tips on obtaining financing, and show you case studies of business owners who successfully purchased their own commercial real estate. Admission is free.
Register:
For more information or to RSVP, please call Ed Wong at (415) 396-2005.
Sponsor:
Wells Fargo


Financing for Your Small Business workshop

Location:
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
235 Montgomery Street
Date:
Thursday, May 15
Time:
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Description:
Discover the right way to seek financing for your business. We will discuss loan proposal, financing options and programs for your company’s financial health.
www.acteva.com/go/sfsbw
Sponsors:
SBA, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Wells Fargo


Innovative Ways to Grow, Manage & Connect Your Business During Challenging Times

Location:
Small Business Administration (SBA)
SBA Entrepreneurial Training Center
455 Market Street, 6th Floor
Date:
Friday, May 16
Time:
9:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Description:
With small businesses expecting lower profits, increased energy prices, and rising taxes in addition to almost half of small businesses concerned about staying in business, now more than ever it is critical to manage your business efficiently and effectively. Visa Inc. and Facebook are partnering together to provide small businesses an innovative and comprehensive solution designed to help you:
- Grow your customer base, even in these turbulent times
- Manage your business more efficiently by helping you save time and money
- Connect with other small businesses and learn how they are managing in these difficult times
Come hear from both Visa and Facebook about this dynamic solution that is sure to help your business grow, manage and connect!
Sponsors:
Visa Inc.


Introduction to Sustainable Business Management

Location:
Pacific Energy Center
851 Howard Street
Date:
Friday, May 16
Times:
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00PM – 3:30PM
Description:
9:30 AM -12:00 PM
The Green Restaurant: Incentives, Examples & Resources
Working with the Food Service Technology Center and Transfair, we will look at going green with foodservice. Learn how to design your new restaurant or evolve your existing restaurant to incorporate sustainability advantages and rewards. We will also look at the social, economic and moral incentives in buying fair trade products and utilizing green design. Taught by the SF Small Business Development Center.
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Running a Green Business
We’ll show you how to rethink your business from product to service by adapting useful paradigms of sustainability. You’ll become familiar with sustainable practices in Energy, Water, Waste and Procurement and how to help pay for it using financing and rebates. Taught by the SF Small Business Development Center.
Register:
www.acteva.com/go/sfs
Sponsors:
San Francisco Small Business Development Center and PG&E,
Wells Fargo. 


Green Business Celebration:
Keynote Presentation, Reception and Vendor Expo

Location:
Pacific Energy Center
851 Howard Street
Date:
Friday, May 16
Times:
3:45 PM: Keynote Presentation
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Reception and Green Vendor Expo
www.acteva.com/go/sfsbw

Description:
Join PG&E, the SF Department of the Environment and the SBDC as we celebrate Green Businesses during Small Business Week with keynote speaker Hunter Lovins, co-author of Natural Capitalism, and a vendor fair, featuring products and offerings for and from small businesses.
Sponsors:
San Francisco Small Business Development Center and PG&E,
Wells Fargo. 


My Business Action Plan workshop

Location:
WISE
1398 Valencia Street
Date:
Friday, May 16
Time:
10:00 AM – 11:30AM
Description:
Have a great idea for a product or service, but don’t know where to start? Are you looking to grow your current business? Women’s Initiative’s My Business Action Plan workshop will guide you through a self-assessment of your business idea and help you develop next steps to launching your enterprise. This is the first in a series of classes designed to support your planning, marketing and other business management skills that will give you the tools necessary to start or expand your own business. Women's Initiative focuses specifically on the needs of low-income women who are exploring a business idea. Registration is not required. Doors close promptly on the hour so please be punctual. For more information, please contact Women's Initiative for Self Employment (415) 641-3460 or  www.womensinitiative.org
Sponsors:
Women's Initiative San Francisco


Sidewalk Sales

Location:
Various Neighborhoods
Date:
Saturday, May 17
Time:
All day
Description:
Come out and support your local merchants as they fill the sidewalks around town.
Sponsors:
Neighborhood Merchant Associations