CONFERENCE SESSIONS

Financing Challenges and Opportunities in Today's Economy

This session focuses on traditional small business finance, with emphasis given to the state of current credit markets. Presenters will discuss how to secure capital to enable the continued growth of existing small business and options for structuring financing while facing economic downturns.

Moderator: Frank Staniszewski, Madison Development Corporation
Speakers:
Dana Hoffmann, Summit Credit Union
Diane Pasley, WBD Finance
John Ronzia, M & I Bank
John A. Mirenda, U.S. Small Business Administration

Video: Financing Challenges and Opportunities in Today's Economy

High Impact Entrepreneurism-Expanding the Local Business Model

This session focuses on the concept of high impact entrepreneurship. What is it? What are some Madison examples? Directed to the existing small business owner, this session provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to "think out of the box", beyond the more traditional business models.

Moderator: Allen Dines, UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations
Speakers:
Sonya Newenhouse, Madison Environmental Group, Inc.
John Biondi, C 5 6 Technologies
Natasha Vora, Indocara
Beth Donley, Stemina BioMarker Discovery
Mark Gehring, Sharendipity
Charlie Hoslet, UW-Madison Managing Director of Office of Corporate Relations

Video: High Impact Entrepreneurism-Expanding the Local Business Model

How to Build and Sustain a "Green" Business

Session presenters will provide background of what it means to be a sustainable small business, and provide action steps for becoming more "green". The Mpower Business Champion Program will be presented, along with specific energy and transportation incentive opportunities.

Moderator: Tom Eggert, UW-Madison Wisconsin School of Business
Speakers:
Bryant Moroder, Sustain Dane
Dave Larson, Focus on Energy
Ward Paxton, Metropolitan Planning Organization
Jennifer Bacon, Madison Metro
Kathyrne Auerback, Madison Environmental Group, Inc.
Warren C. Gaskill, Rapid Improvement Associates

Video: How to Build and Sustain a "Green" Business

Adjusting Operations to the New Economic Climate

This session focuses on adjusting small business expenses within the current economic shift by taking a fresh look at operations. Human resources, employment, accounting, and tax issues will be discussed. Leveraging existing human capital and technological resources to communicate with customers (Web, Facebook, etc) will also be explored.

Moderator: Bob Gregg, Boardmann Law Firm
Speakers:
Orange Schroeder, Orange Tree Imports
Rick Welsh, Wegner LLP
Jerry O’Brien, UW-Madison Center for Retailing Excellence

Video: Adjusting Operations to the New Economic Climate