GLITR IT Calendar

Automation Alley Conference Coming
Tuesday, Feb. 7: Automation Alley presents Impact 2012, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Centerpoint Marriott, Auburn Hills. This all-day conference and trade show brings together experts in sales, marketing, finance, human resources and the public sector to forecast national and local trends that will impact businesses in 2012. More at www.automationalley.com.

Economist To Make 2012 Presidential Predictions
Tuesday, Feb. 7: Grand Valley State University Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies presents Patrick Anderson, principal and CEO of the Anderson Economic Group LLC, with an update on his 2004 Edmund A. Mennis award-winning paper “Pocketbook Predictions of Presidential Elections,” 7 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, Grand Valley State University Pew Grand Rapids Campus. The presentation will show what effect financial issues and conditions have on presidential elections. For more information or to RSVP, contact Grand Valley’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at (616) 331-2770 or online at www.allpresidents.org

Henry Ford Community College Hosts Winter Star Talk
Tuesday, Feb. 7: Henry Ford Community College Hammond Planetarium Winter Star Talk, “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” 7:15 p.m., Room S-126, Science Building. Doors close promptly at 7:30 p.m. when the program begins. For safety reasons, latecomers cannot be admitted once the doors close. No reservations are necessary and seating is available on a first come/first serve basis. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Steven Murrell at (313) 317-1536. More at www.hfcc.edu.

Oakland County Offers CEED Microloan Orientation
Wednesday, Feb. 8: CEED Microloan Orientation — Many small business owners face obstacles when trying to obtain a business loan. The recognition of the serious need for working capital for existing businesses, start-up or expansion, equipment purchases, and job creation is not the priority it once was. If you have a need for alternative financing consider the MicroLoan Program. Discover the requirements and process necessary to apply and obtain a microloan. Program presented by the Center for Empowerment & Economic Development (C.E.E.D.). The program runs from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call (248) 858-0783. This workshop is free but pre-registration is required.

OakGreen Energy Efficiency Workshops Scheduled in Oak Park
Wednesday, Feb. 8: OakGreen – WARM Training Center energy efficiency workshop for businesses, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park. Those interested should pre-register at (248) 691-7555. usinesses can learn the essentials of making their business more energy efficient including best practices, financing options and how to prioritize the best steps to take.

Oakland County Offers Pre-Business Research
Wednesday, Feb. 8: Pre-Business Research — Are you thinking of starting your own business and want to research your business idea? Are you a business owner who wants to understand which research sources to use for your business plan and where to find the information you need? Presented by The Oakland County Business Center, The Entrepreneur’s Source, Oakland County Market Research division, and a business reference librarian. The program runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call (248) 858-0783. This workshop is free but pre-registration is required.

OakGreen Energy Efficiency Workshops Scheduled in Oak Park
Wednesday, Feb. 8: OakGreen – WARM Training Center energy efficiency workshop for residents, 6 to 8 p.m., Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park. Those interested should pre-register at (248) 691-7555. Residents can learn how to save energy, about inexpensive materials that lower utility bills, how to shop for energy efficient appliances and more.

Workshop To Cover Social Media Use In Design, Construction
Wednesday, Feb. 8: Building Industry Resources, a social media and business support agency, hosts “How The AEC Industry Uses social Media,” 6:15 p.m., TechTown, 440 Burroughs St. in Detroit. Please go to http://aecsm-detroit.eventbrite.com to register in advance. The hour-long workshop will address how the architecture, engineering and construction industry uses Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, and niche specific social media sites to effectively communicate with clients, prospects, and partners; monitor the competition; develop their brand; increase visibility of their services; position themselves as thought leaders and industry experts; promote company news and events; and drive traffic to their Web sites. For more information on Building Industry Resources, visit www.buildingsource.net.

Entrepreneurs To Share Success With Students At EMU Event
Saturday, Feb. 11: Eastern Michigan University College of Business presents the Sesi Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference, 8:30 a.m., EMU Student Center. The conference will focus on innovation and green entrepreneurship in Michgan. The keynote speaker will be Elizabeth Redmond, founder and president of Powerleap Inc. Powerleap is a clean-tech company based in Ann Arbor that developed technology to generate electricity from pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Also scheduled to speak is Chris Kondogiani, director Adaptive Materials Inc., the Ann Arbor fuel cell manufacturer recently acquired by UK-based Ultra Electronics Holdings plc. EMU faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend, as well as other community college and high school students and faculty that have curriculum centered on entrepreneurship or business. Two break-out sessions precede a sit-down lunch follows and the conference concludes with the keynote speaker. The Skandalaris Business Plan Competition concludes after lunch as high school and university/community college students compete for cash prizes totaling more than $5,000. Break-out sessions are scheduled that also feature innovation and green entrepreneurs. The event is free but registration is required. Call Melissa Heatlie at (734) 644-6663 for details. The Student Center is located at 900 Oakwood Street in Ypsilanti. Register at this link.

Inforum Center for Leadership To Present Event On Nonprofit Board Membership
Monday, Feb. 13: The Inforum Center for Leadership, the education and research arm of Inforum, will present a program called “On the Road to Corporate Board Service: Is Non-Profit Experience a Fast Lane or Detour?,” 5:30 to 8 p.m., The Henry Ford, Deraborn. More at www.inforummichigan.org or call (877) 633-3500.

Tendras launches CFO Technology Breakfast Series at Automation Alley
Tuesday, Feb. 14: Tendras Business Advisors CFO Technology Breakfast, 8 to 10:30 a.m., Automation Alley, 2675 Bellingham, Troy. The CFO Technology Breakfast series launches with Cloud Computing for Financial Management and Accounting Software. For details on the CFO Technology Breakfast and to register for the Feb. 14 event, please visit this link.

Ann Arbor Spark Offers OpenCoffee
Tuesday, Feb. 14: Ann Arbor Spark monthly OpenCoffee event, 8 to 9:30 a.m., Spark Central, 330 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor. This is a networking event for entrepreneurs, investors and those who work with innovation businesses, particularly in IT, cleantech and life sciences. The event is free. For more information, visit www.annarborusa.org/events/details?e=11269.

Ann Arbor Spark Offers Marketing Roundtable
Tuesday, Feb. 14: This month’s Ann Arbor Spark Marketing Roundtable has the topic, “Build The Plan,” 5 to 7 p.m., Spark Central, 330 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor. When the marketing possibilities far exceed your means, being smart with your plan is more crucial than ever. The event is free. For more information, visit www.annarborusa.org/events/details?e=11296.

Henry Ford Community College Hosts Winter Star Talk
Tuesday, Feb. 14: Henry Ford Community College Hammond Planetarium Winter Star Talk, “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” 7:15 p.m., Room S-126, Science Building. Doors close promptly at 7:30 p.m. when the program begins. For safety reasons, latecomers cannot be admitted once the doors close. No reservations are necessary and seating is available on a first come/first serve basis. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Steven Murrell at (313) 317-1536. More at www.hfcc.edu.

BBC Offers SBIR-STTR Grant Workshop
Wednesday, February 15 and Thursday, February 16: Small Business Innovation Research – Small Business Technology Transfer federal grant workshop with emphasis on funding from the National Institutes of Health, Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center, 46701 Commerce Center Drive, Plymouth. Cost: $125 for companies based in Michigan, $250 for others. This intensive, two-day seminar presents essential information for crafting a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal that meets the unique requirements of the NIH. You will receive detailed instruction on the ins and outs of preparing a proposal, including both technical and commercialization plans, and navigating the often complicated submission process. The event is targeted at technology-based entrepreneurs and small companies seeking funding for R&D with plans to submit a SBIR/STTR proposal within the next 12 months. More at http://bbctraining21512.eventbrite.com. Online registration ends at 5 p.m. Feb. 13. No refunds after that. Please contact Kris Bergman (kris@bioconsultants.com) to determine space availability for onsite registration.

Ann Arbor Spark Offers “Small & Smart” Seminar Series
Wednesday, Feb. 15: Ann Arbor Spark Small & Smart seminar series, 8 to 9:30 a.m., Spark East, 215 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti. So you’re small and your resources are limited. You can still apply the tested and proven tools of sales and marketing to build your business and improve your bottom line. It’s a matter of being small … and smart. For more information, visit www.annarborusa.org/events/details?e=11332.

Experts To Discuss Alternative Energy Powertrains
Wednesday, Feb. 15: “Focus on the Future” Automotive Research Conference, a joint venture between Oakland University’s School of Business Administration and the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute, with the theme “Marketing New Powertrain Technologies: Strategies in Transition,” 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oakland Center, Oakland University campus. Rochester. The conference will examine how manufacturers are employing strategic and tactical marketing activities to launch new technologies, as well as provide insight into new methods to migrate consumers to more fuel-efficient vehicles. It will also include a discussion of similarities and differences between approaches to marketing strategies in both developed and emerging markets. Conference speakers hail from a variety of fields, including global auto manufacturers, dealers, government and academia. View the event page at www.oakland.edu/marketingforum for more information. Registration is $200 for the general public and free for U-M or OU students, faculty and staff. Attendees can register online, or contact Bonnie Pond at (734) 763-2466 or bmckie@umich.edu.

Oakland County Offers Twitter For Business
Wednesday, Feb. 15: Twitter for Business Beginner — Introduction to Social Media Marketing and using Twitter for Business — Millions of people are using Twitter and social media for fun, but it is also a powerful business tool that can connect you with your customers, potential customers and the world. Social media is a two-way marketing channel — a conversation with your customers. With social media marketing and Twitter you can leverage these conversations and relationships to: increase brand visibility and reach, be established as a thought leader and expert in your field, give real time customer service, stay on top of industry trends and conduct competitive research, build brand advocates, and yes — you can see a measurable ROI — even sales! But before you jump in to Twitter and start using social media, learn how to get these results with an introduction to social media marketing and Twitter for business. You will learn how to sign yourself and your business up for Twitter, set up your account and profile and choose the best Handle (user name), navigate Twitter, Twitter lingo, how to find (the right) people and business to follow, use lists to manage who you follow as well as your followers, how to Tweet, ReTweet, Mention, and Direct Message other users, use of Hashtags, Twitter Privacy, how to protect yourself and your brand on Twitter, establish and track your digital footprint, and how to stay on top of social media and Twitter trends. The program runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call (248) 858-0783. The fee is $40. No refunds.

Oakland County Offers Fundamentals Of Starting A Business
Wednesday, Feb. 15: Fundamentals of Starting a Business is a seminar for anyone thinking about going into business. Participants examine their entrepreneurial skills, learn how to implement their ideas and receive a list of pitfalls to avoid when starting a business. The program runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar, or call (248) 858-0783. The fee is $30. No refunds.

Oakland County Offers SBA Financing Roundtable
Thursday, Feb. 16: Team SBA Financing Roundtable — This session is best suited to those who have good credit, a solid business idea, and some money to invest in their business. Before you apply for a business loan, we recommend that you first attend a Financing Roundtable. The roundtables are a free loan orientation conducted by a business banker, a business consultant from the SBA’s network of Small Business Development Centers, and an SBA representative. During the roundtable, we’ll debunk the myths and demystify the process of small business financing. You’ll learn how the lending process works and what is expected of you and you’ll understand how the SBA can assist with our SBA Guaranteed Loan Program. Because the SBA does not provide loan guarantees to real estate investment firms, including purchasing and rehabbing houses for sale, this type of financing is not discussed at the roundtables. Presenters will come from the federal Small Business Administration, the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center and a commercial bank. The program runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar, or call (248) 858-0783. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.

Re-Source Partners Sets Event On Hard Drive Data Loss
Thursday, Feb. 16: Re-Source Partners lunch and learn on hard drive data loss, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Re-Source office, 24541 Maplehurst, Clinton Township. The company will present the statistical evidence of data loss during major change points like deployment and retirement. Industry experts will be present to discuss solutions on how to avoid a data loss from happening at your company. Lunch will be served. Register by contacting John Spagnuolo at (586) 783-0700, ext. 239 or Jspagnuolo@re-sourcepartners.com.

Ann Arbor Spark Offers ‘Starting Your Own Business’
Friday, Feb. 17: Ann Arbor Spark presents ‘Starting Your Own Business,’ 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Spark East, 215 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti. At this forum you will learn about personality traits that impact entrepreneurialism, creating a marketing plan for your business, legal, accounting, and risk considerations, product development, business plans and financing options. You will have an opportunity to get advice from a variety of business experts and organizations that are available to support new ventures. The cost is $25. For more information, visit www.annarborusa.org/events/details?e=11257.

Saginaw Future sets annual award luncheon
Friday, Feb. 17: Saginaw Future Inc. annual award luncheon, 11 a.m. networking, 11:30 a.m. lunch, 11:55 a.m. program, Saginaw Valley State University’s Curtiss Hall, 7400 Bay Road, Saginaw. The event will honor 30 economic development projects in 2011 and featuring keynote speaker Bob Hansen, president and CEO for the Dow Corning Corp. More at www.pingg.com/rsvp/nnz254p58dc64dvy2.

Ann Arbor Spark Offers Business Law & Order
Monday, Feb. 20: Ann Arbor Spark Business Law & Order event, “Funding 101,” 5 to 7 p.m., Spark Central, 330 E. Liberty in Ann Arbor. Cash is the lifeblood of any business, especially early-stage, high-growth enterprises. We will discuss: The Capital Fundraising Plan (know how much you need to raise and when to raise it); Grant Funding (what could be better than money you don’t have to repay and doesn’t cost you equity); Securities Law Basics (how to avoid personally obligating yourself to give back every dime of investor money if things don’t go well); “Choose Your Investors Wisely” (how to make smart, practical choices in finding and choosing the money partners for your business). The event will be live streamed at www.annarborusa.org/live-events/index.html. For more information, visit www.annarborusa.org/events/details?e=11163.

MCWT Offers Connect-Net Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 21: Michigan Council of Women in Technology presents its next Connect-Net meeting, ”Leadership, Success and You,” 6 to 8 p.m., Epitec Group, 24800 Denso Drive, Suite 150, Southfield. While leadership can be taught, it is more of an attitude than a set of learned skills. Great leaders have a way of going with the flow. They don’t panic and are strategic about how to handle change and uncertainty. Leadership is a rare quality, and those that can lead in more than one organization are rarer still. Guest speaker Sue Reidel of GE Healthcare and Process Excellence IT Leader, will share her experiences and provide tips during the session. The event is free to MCWT members, $5 for students and $10 for nonmembers. Register at www.mcwt.org. For more information, please contact events@mcwt.org.

Henry Ford Community College Hosts Winter Star Talk
Tuesday, Feb. 21: Henry Ford Community College Hammond Planetarium Winter Star Talk, “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” 7:15 p.m., Room S-126, Science Building. Doors close promptly at 7:30 p.m. when the program begins. For safety reasons, latecomers cannot be admitted once the doors close. No reservations are necessary and seating is available on a first come/first serve basis. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Steven Murrell at (313) 317-1536. More at www.hfcc.edu.

Oakland County Offers Twitter For Business
Wednesday, Feb. 22: Twitter for Business Intermediate — Create your Twitter Strategy — In this Intermediate session of Twitter for Business you will establish your social media objectives and goals for Twitter, create your Twitter social media marketing strategy and schedule, integrate Twitter into your marketing strategy. You will learn core strategies and tactics businesses are using to get customers talking through Twitter, how to use social media management tools, schedule tweets in advance, use social media search tools for optimizing the timing and reach of your tweets, use social media monitoring tools and leverage them for your Twitter strategy, use social media search tools to find and track people talking about your company/product/industry, respond ethically and effectively to brand supporters and detractors, and manage your digital footprint-connecting Twitter with your website and other social media platforms. Prerequisite for this class is Twitter for Business Beginner. The program runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call (248) 858-0783. The fee is $40. No refunds.

Oakland County Offers Women’s Business Certification Orientation
Wednesday, Feb. 22: Women’s Business Certification (WBE) Orientation — Learn about the benefits and process of becoming a Women’s Business Enterprise. Benefits include certification to private sector WBE’s and access to procurement opportunities with major national companies. For additional information visit miceed.org. Presented by the Michigan Women’s Business Council. The program runs from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar, or call (248) 858-0783. The fee is $25 (Please make checks payable to WBEC-GL). No refunds.

Oakland County Offers Fundamentals Of Business Plan Writing
Wednesday, Feb. 22: Fundamentals of Writing a Business Plan — A workshop for small business owners who are developing a plan to serve as their road map to success. Workshop participants learn what elements are commonly found in effective plans and work on developing each of these for their own business. Assistance in the process as well as information on resources is provided. The program runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call (248) 858-0783. Fee: $30. No refunds.

APICS Seminar On Using Energy Conservation To Power Continuous Improvement
Thursday, Feb. 23: The APICS Greater Detroit Chapter along with The PMI Great Lakes Chapter offer a seminar on How to Use Energy to Power Continuous Improvement Initiative, 6 p.m. networking, 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:15 p.m. discussion. Energy management can be used to start or accelerate a continuous improvement program. Energy costs can provide direction to a company’s most significant opportunities for improvement. Energy reduction projects can be used as the cornerstone of a turnaround program. This session highlights why energy costs can guide a cost reduction effort, how to get an initiative started, what common pitfalls to avoid, and that effective Program/Project Management has been recognized as a key factor in successful energy programs. This seminar/PDM will be presented by John Preston, Lean Manufacturing Manager at Dura Automotive Systems. Please register by Feb. 22 at www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=227137 for the event. The registration fee is $25.

Merit Sets “Essentials of VMware View” Class
Tuesday, Feb. 28 – Friday, March 2: Merit Network Inc. hosts “VMware View: Install, Configure, Manage [V4.5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, Merit offices, 1000 Oakbrook Drive, Ann Arbor. VMware View is VMware’s desktop virtualization product, allowing desktop operating systems and applications to be deployed from a server infrastructure. Cost ranges from $2,295 to $2,995, with scholarships available. For more information, contact learning@merit.edu

Henry Ford Community College Hosts Winter Star Talk
Tuesday, Feb. 28: Henry Ford Community College Hammond Planetarium Winter Star Talk, “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” 7:15 p.m., Room S-126, Science Building. Doors close promptly at 7:30 p.m. when the program begins. For safety reasons, latecomers cannot be admitted once the doors close. No reservations are necessary and seating is available on a first come/first serve basis. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Steven Murrell at (313) 317-1536. More at www.hfcc.edu.

Inforum Center for Leadership Presents ‘The Business of Networking’
Wednesday, Feb. 29: The Inforum Center for Leadership, the education and rresearch arm of Inforum, Jennifer Maxson, practice group leader, coach and consultant with Varnum Consulting, who will present “The Business of Networking,” 7: 30 to 10:30 a.m., Rehmann, 1500 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy. Cost is $50 for Inforum members and $75 for nonmembers. More at www.inforummichigan.org or call (877) 633-3500.

Oakland County Offers Twitter For Business
Wednesday, Feb. 29: Twitter for Business Advanced — Create and Launch your Twitter Campaign — In this Advanced Session of Twitter for Business you will establish your objectives and goals for a Twitter campaign, create and launch a Twitter campaign, learn advanced strategies for reaching influencers and building a long-lasting online community and explore ways to take Twitter beyond social media marketing. You will also build a complete multi-channel, social media-enabled marketing strategy, integrate Twitter and traditional marketing channels to deliver a competitive advantage, establish a social media Twitter timeline, grow your base of followers and engage participants, learn how to advertise with Twitter-Promoted Tweets, ensure a reasonable rate of return on your social media investment and acquire the tools you need to deputize your employees for organization-wide Twitter engagement. *Prerequisites for this class are Twitter for Business Beginner and Twitter for Business Intermediate. The program runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call (248) 858-0783. The fee is $40. No refunds.

Inforum Center for Leadership Presents ‘The Business of Networking’
Thursday, March 1: The Inforum Center for Leadership, the education and research arm of Inforum, Jennifer Maxson, practice group leader, coach and consultant with Varnum Consulting, who will present “The Business of Networking,” 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., Rehmann Building, 2330 E. Paris Ave., Grand Rapids. Cost is $50 for Inforum members and $75 for nonmembers. More at www.inforummichigan.org or call (877) 633-3500.

BBC Offers SBIR/STTR Classes
Thursday, March 1: Biotechnology Business Consultants presents a half-day workshop on the federal government’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, 9 a.m. to noon, BBC office, 803 N. Main St., Ann Arbor. The cost is $50 for companies based in Michigan and $100 for others. The workshop covers the SBIR/STTR program basics, including: program purpose; eligibility; and sources of funding. It is designed to provide enough information for attendees to determine if they would like to seriously pursue proposal development. Register by emailing kris@bioconsultants.com.

Oakland County Offers Pre-Business Research
Thursday, March 1: Are you thinking of starting your own business and want to research your business idea? Are you a business owner who wants to understand which research sources to use for your business plan and where to find the information you need? Presented by Oakland County’s Business Center Market Research Division, and an Oakland County Public Library business reference librarian, this seminar runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call (248) 858-0783. This workshop is free but pre-registration is required.

BBC Offers SBIR/STTR Classes
Thursday, March 8: Biotechnology Business Consultants presents a half-day workshop on the federal government’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, 9 a.m. to noon, BBC office, 803 N. Main St., Ann Arbor. The cost is $50 for companies based in Michigan and $100 for others. The workshop covers the SBIR/STTR program basics, including: program purpose; eligibility; and sources of funding. It is designed to provide enough information for attendees to determine if they would like to seriously pursue proposal development. Register by emailing kris@bioconsultants.com.

Agile And Beyond Conference Returning
Saturday, March 10: “Agile and Beyond,” an event to boost the agile programming system, Ford Conference and Event Center, Dearborn, 7:30 a.m. networking, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. program. This non-profit conference attracted more than 500 attendees last year, and promises to be an excellent investment again this year. Register now at http://agileandbeyond.org.

Learn to Implement Cisco ASA Firewall Features
Monday, March 12 through Friday, March 16: Merit Network presents “Deploying Cisco ASA Firewall Solutions,” a five-day, hands-on course on the skills needed to configure, maintain and operate the firewall features of the Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances (ASAs), Merit offices, Ann Arbor. More at www.merit.edu/learning or email learning@merit.edu.

Oakland County Offers CEED Microloan Orientation
Wednesday, March 14: Many small business owners face obstacles when trying to obtain a business loan. The recognition of the serious need for working capital for existing businesses, start-up or expansion, equipment purchases, and job creation is not the priority it once was. If you have a need for alternative financing consider the MicroLoan Program. Discover the requirements and process necessary to apply and obtain a microloan. Program presented by the Center for Empowerment & Economic Development (C.E.E.D.) This program runs from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call (248) 858-0783. This workshop is free but pre-registration is required.

Business Leaders for Michigan Sets CEO Summit
Thursday, March 15: Business Leaders for Michigan CEO Summit, Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, Detroit. Industry leaders will outline paths to rebuilding Michigan’s economy; identify industries where Michigan is best positioned to lead the nation; explain the role of innovation in growing new job sectors; and discuss how private sector investment can help drive the economy in communities across the state. Registration for the CEO Summit will open on Dec. 1. Additional information about registration will be available this fall on www.businessleadersformichigan.com.

Oakland County Offers Fundamentals Of Writing A Business Plan
Thursday, March 15: A workshop for small business owners who are developing a plan to serve as their road map to success. Workshop participants learn what elements are commonly found in effective plans and work on developing each of these for their own business. Assistance in the process as well as information on resources is provided. The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call (248) 858-0783. Fee: $40. No refunds

Capital Area IT Council To Cover Social Media
Thursday, March 15: Capital Area IT Council Presents “Social Media and Business,” 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Michigan, Technical Education Center, Lansing Community College West Campus, Lansing. RSVP by contacting Chris Knapp at (517) 492-5592 or cknapp@camw.net.

QAD Midwest User Group Event Returns
Sunday, March 18 – Tuesday, March 20: QAD Midwest User Group Spring 2012 meeting, Henry Hotel, Dearborn. More at www.midwestusergroup.org/MWUG_Spring2012.htm. Highlights include QAD manufacturing solution enhancements for 2012, getting the most from .Net user interface, QAD enterprise financials, and Business Intelligence 3.5.

Vehicle Communication Conference Coming
Tuesday, March 20 and Wednesday, March 21: “V2X For Auto Safety And Mobility” conference on V2V and V2I (vehicle to vehicle and vehicle to infrastructure) technologies, Hotel Baronette, Novi. The conference will bring together connected-vehicle executives and thought leaders to allow you to develop potential V2X business model and technology solutions to launch your business ahead of this emerging market. More at www.telematicsupdate.com.

Oakand County Offers QuickBooks Essentials
Thursday, March 29: This introduction to small business financial management provides an overview of accurate recordkeeping, report interpretation and utilization, and management of the variety of tools provided in this system. Presented by Kildal Services, LLC. In session I, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., attendees learn basic accounting terminology, new company file setup, customizing forms and letters and working with bank accounts. In session II, from 12:30 to 3 p.m., attendees learn about invoicing customers, receiving payments and making deposits, entering and paying vendor bills, and using credit card accounts. The sessions will be held at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call (248) 858-0783. The sessions are $40 each or $75 for both. Bringing a laptop is highly recommended.

Ferris State University Sets Annual Energy Conference
Thursday, April 12: Fifth Annual Michigan Energy Conference, sponsored by Ferris State University, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 E. Beltline Ave. SE, Grand Rapids. More at http://www.ferris.edu/mec/.

SAE 2012 World Congress Returns To Cobo
Tuesday, April 24 – Thursday, April 26: SAE 2012 World Congress, Cobo Center, Detroit. ,More at http://getconnected.sae.org.

ESD, DTE Bring Back Energy Conference
Wednesday, May 2: 2012 Energy Conference and Exhibition hosted by DTE Energy and the Engineering Society of Detroit, Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi. More at www.esd.org.

Michigan Celebrates Small Business Back For Another Year
Thursday, May 3: Michigan Celebrates Small Business, Michigan’s annual ceremony to honor the growing businesses that are making an impact across the state, 5 p.m., Lansing Center, Lansing. The event’s founders include the United States Small Business Administration, the Michigan Economic Development Corp., the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, the Edward Lowe Foundation, Greater Lansing Business Monthly and the Small Business Association of Michigan. More at www.MichiganCelebrates.biz.

Michigan Growth Capital Symposium returns
Tuesday, May 15 and Wednesday, May 16: Michigan Growth Capital Symposium, event for inventors and Midwest growth companies, Marriott Resort at Eagle Crest, Ypsilanti. More at http://www.michigangcs.com/index.html.

MSU Chemical Engineers Set Annual Research Forum
Thursday, May 17: Michigan State University Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science annual ChEMS Research Forum, Spartan Club, Michigan State University. The 9th Annual ChEMS Research Forum will showcase Departmental research advances in the areas of energy and sustainability, nanotechnology and materials, and biotechnology and biomedical engineering. The one-day program will feature plenary speakers, and posters and oral presentations describing the latest Department research results. Registration, lunch, and refreshments are complementary. Confirmed plenary speakers: James Stevens, Fellow in Core Research and Development, Dow Solar Solutions, Dow Chemical Mark Horstmeyer, Chair, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University Scott Summerville, Vice-President, Global Packaging, Coca-Cola Joseph Peltier, Cell Culture Process Development, BioMarin Pharmaceutical Richard Wright, Distinguished Staff Scientist, Materials Science and Engineering, Idaho National Laboratory Patrick Lynch, President and CEO, Northern Technologies. Visit: http://www.chems.msu.edu/forum2012 for more details and a preliminary meeting agenda. RSVP by contacting Nicole Shook at 517-355-5135.

Mackinac Policy Conference set
Tuesday, May 29 – Friday, June 1: Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference, Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, featuring keynoters Thomas L. Friedman, best-selling author and New York Times columnist; Michael O. Leavitt, secretary of health and human services 2005-09 and governor of Utah 1993-2003; and Fareed Zakaria, host of CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, editor-at-large, Time Magazine, and Washington Post Columnist. More at http://mpc.detroitchamber.com.

MichBio Sets 2012 Expo
Wednesday, Nov. 7 and Thurdsay, Nov. 8, 2012: MichBio Expo, Kellogg Center, East Lansing. More at www.michbio.org.

The Battery Show Returns To Novi
Tuesday, Nov. 13 – Thursday, Nov. 15: The Battery Show, The Expo for Advanced Batteries, Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi. More at www.thebatteryshow.com.

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