Press Room >> 2010 Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2010
PATT-MCDANIEL ANNOUNCES OHIO ENTREPRENEURSHIP EXPO FEBRUARY 18
COLUMBUS – Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, today announced the 2010 Entrepreneurship Expo will be held on Thursday, February 18 as part of National Entrepreneurship Week from February 18-22. The Department’s Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division and the Ohio Small Business Development Centers are hosting the day-long Entrepreneurship Expo, which begins at 9 a.m. at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium. The Expo is being offered at no charge for attendees.
“Recently, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council ranked Ohio first in the Midwest and 11th in the nation for small businesses,” Patt-McDaniel said. “These rankings are testaments to the state’s commitment to our small businesses. The Entrepreneurship Expo is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to learn, network, and discover the benefits of investing in Ohio.”
In celebration of the Small Business Development Centers’ 25th Anniversary, this year’s Expo theme is “Enhancing Ohio’s Economy through Entrepreneurial Thinking.” Director Patt-McDaniel will deliver a lunchtime keynote address.
National Entrepreneurship Week was developed in Ohio by the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education and is a nationwide annual celebration of the contributions made by entrepreneurs and small business owners to our country's economy. The Entrepreneurship Expo will provide Ohio entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to meet with Ohio associations and government agencies to learn about the many programs and services available to help them succeed in today’s economy. There will be sessions throughout the day on topics such as starting a business, opportunities in green technology, government contracts, business success planning, and protecting business information. Attendees will also be offered the opportunity to get free, one-on-one counseling from an Ohio Small Business Development Certified Business Advisor® on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sponsors of the 2010 Entrepreneurship Expo include the U.S. Small Business Administration, Ohio Entrepreneurship Coalition, Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education, Telhio, Merrill Lynch, Ohio Chamber, Matrix Media, Columbus Radio Group, and Wendy’s.
This event is open to Ohio entrepreneurs and small business owners at no charge and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium, Columbus, Ohio 43215. For more information or to RSVP, visit development.ohio.gov/Entrepreneurship or call (614) 466-2711.
The Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division provides innovative programs and services to Ohio entrepreneurs and small business owners, through effective communication, collaboration, creativity, and technology support to encourage sustainable growth.
Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is absolutely necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future.
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Media contacts: Eileen Turner at (614) 728-6674
or the Communications & Marketing Office at (614) 466-2609