On Thursday, May 2, 2024, we're celebrationg

National Small Business Week in a big way!

Join us for the Building a Better Business Growth & Sustainability Conference,

Shop to Celebrate NSBW Market, and E3 Awards Ceremony. 

 

Building a Better Business Growth & Sustainablity Confrence Logo

Building a Better Business - A Conference on Growth & Sustainability


Looking for ideas to grow your business, or need some fresh motivation? The Building a Better Business Conference will be filled with actionable strategies, insights, and networking opportunities, all aimed at propelling your business forward. Join us for:

• Welcome - Wayne Bell, District Director at U.S. Small Business Administration
• Build Your Business’s Online Presence – Mia Lee, Lee Media Group
• Cybersecurity - Michael Aumack, U.S. Small Business Administration 
• Business Financing 201 – Bethany Johnson, SCKEDD 
• Crafting a Sustainable Marketing Plan – Rebecca Ignowski, Kansas SBDC at WSU
• Manage Your Financials, Manage Your Business – Charlie Martin, Adams Brown
• Everything Human Resources (Panel) – Stacey Goolsby, Connor Cross & Kate Rhea, Syndeo
• Keynote - Janelle King, The Workroom and The Garages
• IRS Tax Tools & Resources to Support Small Businesses – Krista Sullivan & Noor Attisha, IRS
• Managing Your Remote Workforce (Panel) – Ella Ruesser, Amie Snitchler, Cheryl Bergman, Patterson Legal
• Ask a Lawyer (Panel) – Morris Laing Law Firm
• AI: What Small Businesses Need to Know – Dr. Robert Gibson, WSU
• A Career in Business Start-Ups – Gene Camarena, La Raza Pizza, Inc. 

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $25.00 includes lunch from Charcutistry
Location: WSU Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E. 29th Street N.

Register to Attend  View Agenda

A special Thank You to our Conference Sponsors

Meritrust Credit Union - Event Sponsor
NetWork Kansas - Event Sponsor

Equity Bank - Event Sponsor

 

Transform! My Workplace - Event Sponsor

Morris Lang - Event Sponsor

Lee Media - Event Sponsor

Compass Business Consultants - Event Sponsor

Ramp Design Co - Event Sponsor

Syndeo - Event Sponsor

 

Shop to Celebrate Icon

Shop to Celebrate - A Small Business Popup Market


It's always a good day to shop and support local entrepreneurs! Come discover unique products from over 30 local vendors and Mother's Day is right around the corner. Shop to Celebrate NSBW!

Time: 3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Cost: No Cost to Shop; $20.00 Vendor Fee
Location: WSU Hughes Metropolitan Complex

Become a Vendor  Vendor List

 

E3 Awards

E3 Awards Ceremony & Reception


Every year, regional Kansas Small Business Development Centers choose three clients that exemplify success as an Existing, Emerging, or Exporting (E3) Small Business. The goal is to highlight both the impact small businesses have in our Kansas communities and economy. This year we have also partnered with Wichita State University Strategic Initiatives to also honor  local SBIR awardees. The ceremony starts at 4:00 p.m. followed by a brief reception. 

Business to be recognized:

Dibs Boat and RV Storage, 2024 Emerging Small Business of the Year
Chase Me if You Can Productions LLC, 2024 Existing Small Business of the Year
Bluewater Aviation, 2024 Exporting Small Business of the Year
Utopia Modern Salon Suites, 2024 Emerging Small Business of the Year (Kansas SBDC Capital Access Center)
Burchell Professional Group, SBIR Phase I Award from the Dept. of Defense (Army) & SBIR Phase II Award from the Dept. of Defense (Navy)
Fairmount Technologies, LLC, SBIR Phase I Award from the Dept. of Defense (Air Force) & SBIR Phase II Award from the Dept. Of Defense (Army)

Time: 4:00 p.m.
Cost: No Cost
Location: WSU Hughes Metropolitan Complex

Veiw Past Honorees RSVP on LinkedIn 

 

NOTICE: Participants in Kansas SBDC events and workshops agree to allow the Kansas SBDC staff and official photographers to photograph and record them in the context of the event. Images captured may be used on Kansas SBDC websites, posted on social media, shared with media outlets, and/or used in future print and electronic promotional materials. For questions or concerns, please call 316-978-3193 or email ksbdc@wichita.edu.

The Kansas Small Business Development Center at Wichita State University is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.