I’m still high from the energy and positive feedback we’ve had from the Third Annual Small Business Summit 2008, http://smallbiztechsummit.com. Support and enthusiasm about making it happen was apparent from last year’s Summit, but we didn’t know we’d have a sell-out and fill the house. Last year we had 360 attendees and this year it was 450.
As a small business community in one of the nation’s major business centers, it’s clear that we are a vocal and expanding community. The Summit concept and community now has a life of its own. People tell us they look forward to attending each year and many ask what else we’re doing. Here’s a quick glimpse at how it happens and why it’s a success.
It all started in the Spring of 2005. I had read articles and posts by Ramon Ray, http://smallbiztechnology.com, for several months and finally decided to attend an event where he was speaking. I was impressed by his presentation and the fact that he focused on small business technology. It’s a critical element of any small business, but not really my strong suit. I wanted to know more about his work, so we decided to meet for coffee.
During the conversation we learned that both of us had visions of someday doing a large event that would bring together small business people interested in business and technology. We decided to do some research and learned that there were a few companies willing to sponsor such an event. We both became excited about the possibilities and were encouraged to put together our first Small Business Summit in February, 2006. I think we finally started working on it in October, 2005.
In starting to plan for the very first Summit we realized we needed some professional help . We hired Maria DeVito and Roy Bavaro of Corporate Experience, http://www.thecorporateexperience.com/, an event planning firm with experience in similar types of events. One of their main functions was finding and helping us negotiate for an appropriate and affordable venue….no easy feat. They’ve worked with us all three years. They’re great!
And, of course, we always need a website with information about the event and a way to register, someone to create banner ads and a layout for the printed program, which then had to be printed. What we didn’t realize was how much all of this would cost. Our planners gave us some guidelines, but it turned out things were always much more expensive than we had budgeted.
Running an event of this size is not for the faint hearted. There’s often not only a cash flow issue, but an issue of whether or not we can attract enough money from sponsors to cover our committed expenses. We keep the attendance fee low so as many as possible small businesses can afford it. Attendance fees, unfortunately, only cover a tiny fraction of the costs.
Like any small business, we faced technical and timing challenges . There were some scary moments when we didn’t have the answers we needed, but with perseverance and teamwork, it all got done.
With no marketing or PR budget, we looked to our small business colleagues and organizations to help us promote, primarily through e-mail, newsletters, blogs and websites. Every year these have been our main methods for reaching our audience. The size of the list continues to grow exponentially, so each year we’ve been able to attract more attendees.
In 2008 we had the benefit of some great media exposure and that helped us reach an even larger audience. Attendees came from across the country and even Canada.
This year we reached capacity for the venue we have used for the past two years. We’ve decided to cap the number next year so we don’t lose the congenial ambience and high-energy agenda that has become part of our brand.
I think the Small Business Summit has been a success for a variety of reasons.
First, and most important, is the support of great sponsors and organizations who believe in what we are doing and have been willing to contribute to make it happen. Without them, we couldn’t do it.
Second is the partnership between me and Ramon. We are both passionate about the Summit. We each have our own reasons, but the result is the same. Ramon is the sales and marketing (out front) guy and I’m more the operations and budget (behind the scenes) part of the team. We value each other’s perspective, experience and opinion. We talk over all decisions and reach agreement (and have to twist the other one’s arm a bit sometimes) on everything.
We could never put on an event the size of the Summit without a good team. Each year we’ve managed to find people who are as passionate as we are about what we were doing. This year our team consisted of Andrew (Andy) Shulkind, http://andigomedia.com (web designer), Gail Cramer, http://sol21.com (Advertising and Print Design), Beth Silver, http://doubetconsulting.com (media specialist) and Laura Leites, http://workstationbs.com, our first ever Summit Coordinator, who helped us with everything.
Here are some other reasons I think it was a success:
Involvement of the regional small business community in promoting
Interesting exhibits by both large and small businesses
Speakers who were, for the most part, a member of the small business community
Lots of time for networking in a congenial environment
Attendees can meet and talk with the speakers
Great volunteers and barter arrangements that served both parties.
It truly is a Summit of small businesses, coming together to focus on business and technology. Some people have attended each of the three years. And some sponsors have been with us that long also. We are continuing to involve the Summit community in planning for the future.
Honestly, I’m always amazed at how well things come together on the day of the Summit. We know, however, that success is only as good as the last event. We have our work cut out for us to continue listening and serving this amazing small business community.
Thanks to all who helped make this year’s Summit a success.
Read more Business Success Articles at http://primestrategies.com/success_articles.
A Small Business Community Success Story - To learn more about this author, visit Marian Banker's Website.
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Leanne Hoagland Smith
Are your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales success or one of the many who have failed to change? So what are you doing to change those results? Let’s be honest, with companies moving globally and at lightening speeds, the traditional business solutions are outdated and dead. My approach moves your business out of its comfort zone and secures your competitive advantage now. If you are seeking to increase sales, build customer loyalty, create a culture of great attitudes or just achieve some sleep filled nights, then we should talk because my clients have experienced exactly those types of results. Learn more about customer loyalty at http://www.processspecialist.com/customer-loyalty.htm Give me a call at 219.759.5601 for a free strategy session. P.S. If you are seeking a motivational speaker, sales trainer or small business expert that will leave your audience smiling and remembering, please feel free to contact me at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland Smith's Website |
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Marian Banker
(Visit Marian's Website)
A coach with passion for her work and her
clients' success, Marian will inspire and
challenge you to find and stay on your
right path. She is a seasoned executive,
entrepreneur and professional and shares
that expertise with her clients. You can
count on her as a partner and guide to
accelerate the achievement of your goals.
Producer and host for Small Business
Summit 2006, 2007 and 2008, an all-day
conference that brings together small
business owners and technology providers.
Creator of the "Business Success System",
a step-by-step process with tools, text
and a virtual classroom atmosphere.
Since 1995, has coached Entrepreneurs,
Professionals and Executives in transition
to become business leaders. Emphasis is on
what it takes to lead a business to
success.
Holds a Masters in Business Administration
and has over 25 years experience as senior
executive, consultant, entrepreneur,
educator, mentor and coach.
Founded Prime Strategies in 1996 to
provide the small business community with
coaching, consulting and training in
business leadership, translated into plain
English for the typical small business
owner.
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