Press Releases
Governor's Small Business Summit To Convene In Springfield
SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan's Small Business 2000 Summit begins tomorrow in Springfield, bringing together hundreds of small business leaders from throughout Illinois to discuss and prioritize issues that are essential to Illinois' economic success.
"The purpose of this two-day summit is to bring different viewpoints to the table on critical small business issues," Ryan said. "I created the Governor's Small Business 2000 Summit to open a forum for the discussion of issues and concerns that affect small business owners in Illinois. We intend to fashion a new agenda for small businesses, legislation and regulatory reform."
Participants in the Governor's Small Business 2000 Summit will develop recommendations in the areas identified as most critical to the development and growth of small businesses. Participants will break out into sessions to discuss access to capital, human resources, information and technology, state procurement and regulatory affairs, health care, legal reform, taxation and fees, and government and private sector communication. There also will be an open forum to discuss policy issues that affect small businesses.
"The end result of the Small Business 2000 Summit won't just be talk, it will be action," said Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) Director Pam McDonough. "State and federal legislative and administrative actions will be identified that can help small businesses overcome regulatory obstacles."
A highlight of the event will be the Governor's Small Business Award Banquet and Ceremony that will be held Tuesday evening at Springfield's Renaissance Hotel. Eighteen small business owners from across the state will be honored and receive awards in the categories of Governor's Small Business Person of the Year, Minority Business Advocate of the Year, Women in Business Advocate of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Entrepreneurial Success.
The Governor's Small Business 2000 Summit is sponsored by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association/Illinois Association of Convenience Stores, the National Federation of Independent Business and "Small Business Day at the Capitol" sponsors, the Printing Industry of Illinois/Indiana Association, the Illinois Small Business Development Association and the United Parcel Service. The event is being held at the Renaissance Hotel in Springfield.
For more information about the Governor's Small Business 2000 Summit and the Governor's Small Business Award Program, contact the DCCA Small Business Division at 217/524-5856 or visit the DCCA Web site at www.commerce.state.il.us. For information about the programs and services available to assist Illinois businesses, contact the First Stop Business Information Center at 800/252-2923 (TDD: 800/785-6055) or visit the DCCA Web site.
Press Releases