Event Notices From April 18

MMIC Sets Fifth Annual 'Heading For The Big Leagues': The Mid Michigan Innovation Center has set the fifth annual edition for one of the permier entrepreneurial expo, "Heading For the Big Leagues, Thursday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Dow Diamond in Midland. HFBL is hosted by the MidMichigan Innovation Center, BlueWater Angels and our very generous sponsors. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the Dow Diamond and meet the inventors, mentors, investors and community leaders getting Michigan entrepreneurs back in the game ... all at one exciting event. More at www.mmic.us.

Health IT Conference Coming: Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services is sponsoring Connecting Michigan for Health 2013 (formerly Wiring Michigan), a conference dedicated to advancing health IT and health information exchange to support the health care advances underway in Michigan and around the United States.  Connecting Michigan for Health 2013 will be held June 5-7 at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing. The conference provides an ideal forum to catch up on current statewide HIT and HIE efforts, gain insight into state and federal activities,  understand the challenges and opportunities to align quality programs and stage two Meaningful Use requirements, and harness new and existing technology for data sharing. On Wednesday, June 5, following breakfast in the vendor area, keynote speakers will address state and federal HIT and HIE efforts and the future of HIT and HIE. Attendees will catch up on how healthcare providers and physicians in Michigan can share data, gain insight into "transition of care" opportunities, and learn about what is working for HIT and HIE on a national level. The day will conclude with a networking event in the vendor area. On Thursday, June 6, an early legislative breakfast will be followed by a series of lightning round primers directed at policy makers and decision makers wishing to quickly improve their understanding of key topics, including the HIE Landscape, Meaningful Use, State of Michigan data sharing capabilities, HIPPA Omnibus, consumer access to data, and national all payer claims database efforts. The day will close with a vendor panel and the opportunity to help create a Learning Health System.To register for the conference, visit this link.
https://mphi-web.ungerboeck.com/wri/wri_p1_display.aspx?oc=10&cc=MIHIN If you have questions about the event, email connectingmi@mihin.org.

May 2013 Business Workshops Offered by Oakland County Business Center

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP -- Business owners and entrepreneurs who need assistance are encouraged to attend seminars offered by the Oakland County Business Center.

Oakland County Sets Business Research: Feasibility to Expansion
Wednesday, May 1: From 9 a.m. to noon, Oakland County will offer "Business Research: Feasibility to Expansion. Thinking of starting a business and want to research your business idea? Do you want to identify market trends and opportunities to grow your sales? Are you looking for new customers or to diversify your market base? Business Research shows you ways to find your ideal customers, your competitors, perform competitive analysis and more. Presented by Oakland County Market Research and an Oakland County Public Library business reference librarian. This workshop is free but pre-registration is required. Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph in Waterford. For pre-registration and location map, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/expand or call (248) 858-0783.

Oakland County To Offer Writing a Business Plan
Wednesday, May 8: From 9 a.m. to noon, Oakland County will offer "Writing a Business Plan."
Designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment, the course covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing and finance, legal and regulatory issues, operations, and information-based planning and management are key components of the workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft are included along with a demonstration of the MI-SBTDC online business plan tool. Fee: $40 per person. Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph in Waterford. For pre-registration and location map, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/expand or call (248) 858-0783.

Oakland County To Offer CEED Microloan Orientation
Wednesday, May 8: From 9 to 11 a.m., Oakland County will offer a 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. This workshop is free but pre-registration is required. Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph in Waterford. For pre-registration and location map, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/expand or call (248) 858-0783.

Oakland County To Offer Venture Forward
Friday, May 10: From 9 a.m. to noon Fridays through June 19, Oakland County will offer Venture Forward, an intensive, 11-week program designed for owners, CEO's and top management team members of businesses with at least two years of operating experience, revenue of at least $100,000, and a minimum of two full-time employees.
Focused on issues most important to business health and growth, attendees gain knowledge to make critical decisions about their business and strategy, investigate next-stage growth and opportunity, plan for strategic growth, build and maintain a competitive advantage and maximize cash flow for profitability. Fee: $140 per participant. Thanks to sponsor support, the cost is reduced from $700. Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph in Waterford. For pre-registration and location map, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/expand or call (248) 858-0783.

Oakland County offers Advanced Legal Series: Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Tuesday, May 14: From 9 a.m. to noon, Oakland county will offer its Advanced Legal Series, Protecting Your Intellectual Property. Participants will learn the differences between the various state and federal registration protections (patents, copyrights, trademarks), and learn the specific requirements for the "contractual protections" available to Michigan businesses, and more. Fee: $40 per person. Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph in Waterford. For pre-registration and location map, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/expand or call (248) 858-0783.

Oakland County offers Women's Business Enterprise Certification Orientation
Wednesday, May 22: From 9 to 11 a.m., Oakland County will offer Women's Business Enterprise Certification Orientation. Learn about the benefits and process of becoming a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE). Benefits include certification to private sector WBE's and access to procurement opportunities with major national companies. For additional information, visit www.miceed.org. Fee: $25 per person. Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph in Waterford. For pre-registration and location map, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/expand or call (248) 858-0783.
 
Oakland County offers Small Business Money Smart Forum
Thursday, May 23: From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Oakland County will offer a new business class, the Small Business Money Smart Forum. Learn about funding sources and valuable resources available to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with bankers to discuss specific business financing needs and learn about banker member products and services. The focus is specific to start-ups and second stage businesses. The special guest will be Martin Lavelle, Senior Associate Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Detroit Branch. Sponsored by the Oakland County Community Reinvestment Act Association. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph in Waterford. For pre-registration and location map, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/expand or call (248) 858-0783.

Oakland County offers Team SBA Financing
Thursday May 30: From 9 a.m. to noon, Oakland County will offer "Team SBA Financing." Before you apply for a business loan, we recommend that you first attend a Team SBA Financing Roundtable. This is a free loan orientation conducted by a business banker, a business consultant from the SBAs network of Small Business Development Centers, and an SBA representative. Learn how the lending process works and what is expected of you and you will understand how the SBA can assist with our SBA Guaranteed Loan Program. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph in Waterford. For pre-registration and location map, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/expand or call (248) 858-0783.