It is Time to Grow Your Own Future

Small Business Expo offers answers for exisiting businesses and those looking to start one; sponsored by Amelia Chamber of Commerce.

Yulee, FL – If you are thinking of starting a small business or already own one, then it is time to grow your own future with the dynamic line-up of informational presentations and panel discussions at the Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Expo that will help you navigate the road to success.

The Small Business Expo will be 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18, in the Bean Technical Center at the FSCJ Nassau Center, 76346 William Burgess Blvd. in Yulee.

Admission is free and the event is sponsored by CBC National Bank, the Fernandina Beach News Leader, the Nassau County Record and the Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island Historic Harborfront Hotel.

The Small Business Expo will offer two education tracks, one to answer many of the questions aspiring entrepreneurs have about starting a business, while the second focuses on issues of interest to existing small business owners. Attendees may attend as many or as few of the workshops as they want.

Rick Bisio, one of the most respected franchise consultants in the United States and author of “The Educated Franchisee,” will make the keynote presentation at 10 a.m. on “Entrepreneurship through Franchising.” Now in its second edition, The Educated Franchisee: The How-To Book for Choosing a Winning Franchise focuses on creating educated franchise buyers empowered to recognize the right, or wrong, franchise when they see it.

Jason Mudd, APR, of Jacksonville-based AXIA Public Relations will be speaking at 8:30 a.m. on one of the most frequently asked about topics for small business – social media.

In addition to the line-up of presentations, the expo will feature booths where entrepreneurs and business owners can connect with local businesses and organizations that provide products and services their company needs, whether they’re just starting out or looking to grow an existing business.

Exhibitors include:
-The Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida
-Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners
-The Small Business Administration
-The Fernandina Beach Community Development Department
-Jacksonville Women’s Business Center
-Boyer & Associates
-A1A Wealth Management
-SCORE Jacksonville
-Stewart’s Insurance Depot
-CBC National Bank

For more information about the Small Business Expo, contact the AIFBY Chamber at (904) 261-3248 or info@aifby.com.

Here is the Presentation Line-up:

Small Business Expo, 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18

Keynote Speaker
10:00 am “Entrepreneurship through Franchising” with Rick Bisio, author of The Educated Franchisee.

Start a Business
8:30 am “Beyond the Hype: Social Media and Your Business” with Jason Mudd, APR, AXIA Public Relations

9:00 am “Show Me the Money: Finding Funding for Your Business” with Veronica Wallace, Small Business Administration; John Minor, CBC National Bank; Alan Boyer, Boyer & Associates

9:30 am “Building Your Business Plan” with Bill Pray, SCORE Jacksonville

11:00 am “Tax Planning and Reporting” with Noelle Perry, The Hurst Company

11:30 am “Managing Your Finances” with Duran Childers, CBC National Bank

Grow a Business

8:30 am “Beyond the Hype: Social Media and Your Business” with Jason Mudd, APR, AXIA Public Relations

9:00 am “National Healthcare Reform for Small Business” with Buster Lancaster, Strategic Employee Benefit Services

9:30 am “How to Market a Business without Breaking the Bank” with Neal Ardman, K-BAY 106.3

11:00 am “What’s Your Exit Strategy?” with Mark Dennis, A1A Wealth Management

11:30 am “Connect with Customers using Email Marketing” with Bridget Van Landingham, Business Solutions Unlimited

Program is subject to change.