Who should attend:

Small business advocates
Educators
Community developers
Funders and investors
Workforce groups
Entrepreneurs
Economic development practitioners
Bank and non-bank lenders
Non-profit service providers
Elected officials
Local/state government representatives

The Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) along with Presenting Sponsors Sterling Bank and Key Bank, Supporting Sponsors AmericanWest Bank, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and U.S. Small Business Administration and Official Sponsors BECU and Washington State Department of Commerce will convene community-minded service providers, entrepreneurs and thought leaders to share, learn and discuss the role of micro and small business in economic recovery and our combined capacity to serve entrepreneurs across Washington State. With a focus on innovative approaches, this Symposium will address methods and resources to start, grow and expand business to create jobs and promote economic independence for underserved individuals and disadvantaged communities.

This Symposium is designed to convene stakeholders around a common theme . . .
Entrepreneurship = economic empowerment for individuals and communities

Join us to hear about topics such as:

• Starting a business – licensing and registration
• Rebuilding the Western Washington Food System
• Youth Entrepreneurship
• Crowdfunding
• How co-ops can strengthen micro business
• Resources for technology-based entrepreneurs
• Ethics and how they impact personal and business decisions
• The influence of an entrepreneurial culture
• Exporting
• Social media

Featured Speakers:

Michael Shuman, author of The Small Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition and Local Dollars, Local Sense: How to Move Your Money from Wall Street to Main Street and Achieve Prosperity

Todd Greene, Vice President, Community and Economic Development at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Symposium At-a-glance (403.6 kB)
Session Descpriptions (80.9 kB)