Small Business Development Center to host events in November

BEMIDJI, Minn. (October 23, 2009) — The Minnesota Small Business Development Center, housed in the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation, will offer a course on expanding a business into the global marketplace on Nov. 4-5, and a series of courses on pursuing federal government grants through the Small Business Innovation Research program at locations across Minnesota throughout November.

“Export Essentials: Strategies for Going Global”
For businesses looking to expand their global presence or simply consider selling products or services internationally, the Small Business Development Center presents a basic course for survival in the global economy. Participants will learn the basics of the export process, how to research the best markets for your product or service and strategies and resources for identifying international distribution networks. The course will help companies assess their readiness for entering the export business, market entry strategies, protecting intellectual property on an international scale, how to arrange shipments and strategies for locating and selecting the right distributor.

The course is presented by Ed Dieter, deputy director for the Minnesota Trade Office, Mark McNeil, chair of International Practice at the law firm of Lindquist and Vennum PLLP, and Mary Jo Stangl, international education advisor for the Minnesota Trade Office.

“Export Essentials” is presented by the Minnesota Small Business Development Center and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation. For more information, please contact Mary Jo Stangl at (651) 259-7495 or via e-mail at mary.jo.stangl@state.mn.us.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 4
Location: Crookston, Minn. (Mount St. Benedict Monastery; 620 Summit Ave.)
Date: Thursday, Nov. 5
Location: Bemidji, Minn. (Beltrami Electric Cooperative; 4111 Technology Dr. NW)
Registration: $35 if registering in advance; $45 at the door.

“Concept to Commercialization” Technology Development and Funding Plans workshops
Companies looking for opportunities to build upon their strategic plans or seek money to fund a research and development budget and build their product lines can pursue approximately $850,000 in grants as part of the federal government’s $2.2 billion Small Business Innovation Research program. This course aims to give businesses the tools they need in order to pursue these grants through collaboration opportunties with other companies, labs and researchers. The course is targeted at any businesses seeking commercialization strategies, such as enterpreneurial start-ups seeking high-risk capital; university researchers, engineers or scientists interested in starting high-tech businesses; or established small businesses seeking to expand merchandise lines by developing new products to address critical needs.

For more information please contact Betsy Lulfs at (651) 259-7441, cell (651) 245-7403, or via e-mail at betsy.lulfs@state.mn.us.

Date: Monday, Nov. 9, 9-11 a.m.
Location: Moorhead, Minn. (Minnesota State University, Moorhead Center for Business; 1104 7th Ave. S., Room CB208A)

Date: Monday, Nov. 9, 2-4 p.m.
Location: Bemidji, Minn. (Center for Research and Innovation; 3801 Bemidji Ave. N.)

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 9-11 a.m.
Location: Brainerd, Minn. (Central Lakes College; Entrance #6, 501 West College Dr., Room E203)

Date: Thursday, Nov. 12, 9-11 a.m.
Location: St. Cloud, Minn. (St. Cloud State University, 616 Roosevelt Rd., Suite 100)

Date: Thursday, Nov. 12, 1-3 p.m.
Location: Minneapolis, Minn. (University of St. Thomas, 46 South 11th St., Terrence Murphy Hall Room 446)

Date: Monday, Nov. 16, 9-11 a.m.
Location: Marshall, Minn. (Lyon County Courthouse, 607 West Main St., Conference Rooms 4 and 5)

Date: Monday, Nov. 16, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Location: Mankato, Minn. (Plus, 1961 Premier Dr., Classroom B

Date: Thursday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. – nooon
Location: Duluth, Minn. (Center for Economic Development, 11 East Superior St., Ste. 210)

Date: Friday, Nov. 20, 9-11 a.m.
Location: Rochester, Minn. (Rochester Community and Technical College; Heintz Center, 1926 College View Rd., Room HA102)

Registration: $20, payable at the workshop. RSVP requested as space is limited; contact Hayley Rowan (651) 259-7422 or via e-mail at hayley.rowan@state.mn.us with your name, company, address, phone, and date of workshop.

For more information on these or other programs at the Small Business Development Center, please contact Lauralee Tupa, Small Business Development Center program coordinator, via e-mail at ltupa@bemidjistate.edu or by phone at (218) 755-4255.

ON THE WEB
• Course registration: http://mnsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceList.asp

About the Small Business Development Center
The Minnesota Small Business Development Centers provide no-cost, professional business consulting to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs on a variety of business topics. Consulting services are customized to each client’s needs and are delivered in a confidential one-on-one environment.

The Northwest Regional SBDC in Bemidji supports Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Red Lake and Roseau counties and also has locations in Park Rapids, Thief River Falls and Crookston.