ASBA's 15th Annual Enterprise Business Conference Breakfast Set to Celebrate National Small Business Week, Reveal Arizona's Economic Forecast and Aw

Phoenix (PRWEB) April 12, 2008 -- ASBA (Arizona Small Business Association) is preparing for their 15th Annual Enterprise Business Conference -- "Transport your Business" edition, followed by a free business Expo on April 23 from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Phoenix Convention Center, Hall G. The Enterprise event recognizes and celebrates National and Arizona Small Business Week and features the U.S. Small Business Administration Awards. This is the Small Business event of the year and a "Power Breakfast of Champions."

There is something informative and relative for everyone, which explains its growing popularity as seen in the Jobing.com video invitation featuring Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, best-selling author Michael Gerber, Senior Economist from ASU, Dr. Lee McPheters, Emcee Steve Irvin from ABC 15 and ASBA CEO, Joan Koerber-Walker. View the special invitation at: http://phoenix.jobing.com/Video_Main.asp?i=11380&segment=18064

"This event has so much to offer attendees, which is why it has continued to grow as a signature event over the years," stated Sherry Azzarella, VP of Communications and Marketing for ASBA, the 3,000 member, statewide association. "Now, more than ever, Arizona businesses want to escape the economic downturn, seek opportunities to connect with businesses and agencies, find ways to recession-proof their businesses and establish new relationships to help them stay in the game and succeed," Azzarella said.

The Enterprise Breakfast Program and Business EXPO Features:

* U. S. Small Business Administration Awards -- Celebrate with the prestigious winners.

* Local Small Business Impact -- Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon -- According to ASU, SBA's overall total economic impact to the City of Phoenix was $4.9 billion dollars in 2007. Small business is big business and big news!

* Economic update by Dr. Lee McPheters, Professor of Economics and Senior Associate Dean of the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University -- Remarkable, but true, this annual presentation is relevant to every Arizona resident and business owner, plus it is informative and humorous! McPheters will share his insights and perhaps reveal whether the "R" word is a part of the big picture.

* Keynote Michael Gerber, best selling author of E-Myth Revisited and creator of The Dreaming Room -- Small Business guru, Michael Gerber will Awaken your Entrepreneurial Spirit when he shares insights from his new book, Awakening the Entrepreneur Within. Gerber will be available to sign books at the free business expo.

* 2008 "Transport Your Business" Makeover Recognition -- Discover the fundamental improvements these companies utilized and how you can realize the same benefits for your business.

* Breakfast tickets are $45 dollars for members and $50 for non-members. To register visit www.asba.com or call 480-403-4601

* The free business expo is from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. - noon.

"This is the time when people need to be out there networking their businesses because of the economic status," proclaimed Donna Robinson, vice president of Network Dogs, an IT consulting and support company. "Because of the line-up of great speakers and opportunities to connect, I expect this to be the best Enterprise Business Conference event," Robinson said. "We have made great contacts at this event because of the quality of attendees and businesses that showcase at the expo. It would be a missed opportunity to not showcase or at least attend."

ASBA themed this year's event "Transport Your Business" as a metaphor to remind business owners to use ASBA, sponsoring partners and the Enterprise event to help "transport" their businesses through all phases of "construction" and growth. ASBA once again assisted member companies with free business makeovers which began last year. This year the makeover businesses were selected based upon their proximity to light-rail construction in Phoenix and I-10 construction in Tucson, hence the "transport your business" theme. Realizing that change is not always an easy and comfortable transition, ASBA wanted to help businesses in need and get people motivated and excited about Arizona's future.

The 2007 and 2008 ASBA Makeover companies are:

T & T Consulting, a medical billing firm in Phoenix

Moore Flooring, a commercial and residential flooring sales and installation company in Tucson

Event sponsors include: SBA Lending Community, APS/AAAME, Telesphere, ACTION Coach, City of Phoenix, Jobing.com, The Business Journal, KFNN Financial News Radio, ABC 15, Staples, SCF Arizona and Infusion Software.

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