Palestine Small Business Development Forum

PALESTINE — The Palestine Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) is hosting the Small Business Development Forum Monday, September 17 and Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at two locations. With the help of grant money from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and a partnership with the Texas Workforce Commission, organizers say the East Texas region will learn from state and nationally recognized experts how to develop practical plans for their business.

The opening session will be held September 17 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at Ben E. Keith Distributors, 2019 W. Oak St. State Senator Robert Nichols and State Representative Byron Cook will give a legislative update and talk about how these changes affect small business. They will also share insights on what they have learned through their time as small business owners. Tickets for this portion of the forum are $20, which includes dinner.

The forum will continue September 18 from 8:00am to 5:00pm at the Lakeview Methodist Conference Center, 400 Private Road 6036. Topics to be discussed are ways to find new customers, valuable human resource insight, how to bid on government contracts and who to contact when bidding, developing a roadmap for retail success, and social media resources with a hand-on lab. Tickets for Tuesday’s sessions are $50 and include breakfast, lunch and beverages. Those who wish to register for both the opening session on Monday and the forum on Tuesday will receive both for a total cost of $60.

To register for the Small Business Development Forum or to get more information regarding the event, contact Tara Thompson at the Palestine Economic Development Corporation at [email protected] or 903-729-4100.