Training & Workshops
March 3 - 25, 2010
Get Farming! Keep Farming!
The Business and Science of Farming. This series of eight classes, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. helps startup farmers. If you're dreaming about farming - and actually making money at it - then the Get Farming! Entrepreneur Series is the place for you to start. The classes are held at the Michigan Works office in Traverse City and cost for the series is $85 ($100 for couples). For more information and a list of the series topics see the flyer below.
March 11, 2010
READING YOUR CLIENT’S BEHAVIOR PATTERN
Most business people understand the importance of that very first impression and desire to communicate in a positive manner impact. This workshop will help you recognize behaviors that you communicate and also how you may need to adapt your communication to be even more effective. Can you determine from a handshake, clothing, verbal cues and behaviors when you should try to "close that sale"?
Join us Thursday, March 11, 2010 from 7:30—9:00 a.m. at the Boyne District Library, Community Room. $5 Admission includes Continental Breakfast. Pre-registration is required by calling the Chamber at 231- 582-6222.
Reading Your Client's Behavior PatternClick here to Download
March 20, 2010
Renewable Energy Conference
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (Hastings, MI) is happy to announce the 8th Annual Renewable Energy Conference. Saturday, March 20 from 8:30am - 4:00pm. The conference is ideal for homeowners, renewable energy enthusiasts, and students who wish to learn something new and meet other individuals that are interested in promoting and using renewable and alternative energy technologies. Attendees from the novice learner to those with a vast amount of knowledge will find something at the conference. Click here for a complete agenda, more details and to register or call 269-721-4190.
March 25, 2010
MARKETING ON A BUDGET
Tools for Effectively Hitting your Target Market:
Effective marketing begins with the basics. Kristy Beyer will explain the importance of knowing your target market and the tools you need to reach them including the newest web-based tools: blogging, facebook, twitter, YouTube, and more.
Join us Thursday, March 25, 2010 from 11:30—1:00 p.m. at the Petoskey District Library. Admission is $15 for Chamber Members, and $25 for General Public, lunch is provided. Pre-registration is required by calling the Chamber at 231-347-4150.
March 26, 2010
Cheboygan and Presque Isle County - ANNUAL JOB FAIR
WHEN: Friday, March 26, 2010 from 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM (employer luncheon 12:00-12:30)
WHERE: Cheboygan National Guard Armory 610 Cuyler Street, Cheboygan MI
To reserve space or for more information,contact:
Randy Neumann: Business Liaison
Michigan Works! Service Center
e-mail: neumannr@ nemcworks.org
Experience this excellent applicant pool and fill your positions with experienced and skilled workers. Over 500 prospective employees attended the 2009 event!
Cheboygan & Presque Isle County Job FairClick here to Download
April 14 - May 26, 2010
MSU Citizen Planner Program
The very popular MSU Citizen Planner Program will be held in Charlevoix County at Boyne City Hall beginning in April. The seven-session program will take place on consecutive Wednesday evenings from April 14 to May 26.
This award-winning land use training and certificate program is designed to help land use officials manage the impacts of economic change and be part of the solutions to challenges and issues their communities face. The Citizen Planner program is a non-credit course leading to an optional certificate of completion awarded by Michigan State University Extension. The series covers:
• Job basics for community planning, zoning, and economic prosperity
• Ethics and conflict of interest
• Land use laws and court decisions
• Plan implementation and development controls
• Best practices and smart growth for economic prosperity
• Effective meetings, deliberation and conflict resolution
• Relevant tools and techniques to do the job well
The registration fee is $350 and includes all classroom sessions and a resource notebook. Group discounts and scholarships are available.
Register soon! Space is very limited for this program. For questions or additional information, contact Dean Solomon, Charlevoix County Extension Director at 231-582-6232.
April 15 - June 3, 2010
Fast Trac - New Venture
This Rare Opportunity for Entrepreneurs is co-sponsored by NLEA, the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Centers (MI-SBTDC), and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Fast Trac® New Venture® will lead entrepreneurs from evaluation of a current business or concept to intensive instruction on all aspects of small business operations. Fast Trac® New Venture® is a program of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, one of the nation’s lead organizations in advancing entrepreneurship. Students must have a current business or concept to enroll, as they will be producing a business plan as part of the course requirements.
Classes are April 15 - June 3 at various times. An additional two Saturday class sessions, April 17 and May 15, are from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The normal $700 per student fee has been reduced through scholarship funding provided by the MEDC; students pay only $100! Class size will be strictly limited, so please contact Sara at NLEA 231-582-6482 or sara@northernlakes.net to register today.
April 16, 2010
Thriving, Not Just Surviving - Small Business Conference
Get inspirational and helpful advice from experienced business owners! Keynote speaker, Russell Springsteen, of Right Brain Brewery "Expect the Unexpected". The day includes breakout sessions highlighting topics on marketing, food/agriculture, online and micro businesses, alternate lending sources, and much more. The event will take place on Friday, April 16 from 8 - 4:30 p.m. at the Hagerty Center in Traverse City. For more information or to register, call 231-995-1700 or visit www.nmc.edu/ees.
April 20, 2010
Brownfield Redevelopment Tools for Public & Private Sector
NLEA is hosting a seminar for Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) members highlighting Brownfield Redevelopment tools for Public and Private Sector Redevelopment on April 20, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. There is no charge for this seminar, but space is limited.
Click the flyer below for more details and registration information.
April 20 - 22, 2010
2010 Michigan Small Town and Rural Development conference
Featured guest is The Rural Partners of Michigan (RPM) they are a public/private partnership whose charge is to develop new, collaborative approaches to build sustainable communities and to enhance the future of Michigan citizens. The emphasis of the Rural Partners' work is on finding new, innovative, non-traditional ways to address the issues, problems and needs of rural Michigan. Rural Partners focus on team building, education and information, technical assistance and leadership development.
This year's event will take place on April 20-22 at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, MI. Conference details are at www.ruralmich.org.
April 28 - 30, 2010
Creating Connections:
Revitalizing Michigan Manufacturing, Agriculture and Tourism
April 28, 29, 30th at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme Co-Sponsored by the Spa & the Northwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.
Registration: By March 31st - $100 each (early bird) or by April 20th - $150 each. Sponsorship opportunities!
Please visit www.nwmsbf.org for more information, registration, exhibit, and sponsor forms, or contact Patty O’Donnell at 231-929-5039
Monthly PTAC Workshops
Federal Government & State of Michigan Contracting
What does it take to become a successful government contractor? What services and resources are available to a small business pursuing the government market? If your company has been considering diversifying into government contracting, this seminar will give you the insight you need.
Lean Learning Consortium
Northwestern Michigan College & Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center have partnered up to make training available to businesses in northwest Michigan. This is a great resource for companies (not limited to manufacturing) to learn and implement world class Lean Enterprise practices.
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