ODU to Host 'Growing Sales Seminar' for Local Businesses March 9

Old Dominion University, along with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA), will host a Growing Sales Seminar on campus Wednesday, March 9.

The event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the North Cafeteria of Webb Center, presents an opportunity for local businesses to learn from a host of experts about such topics as marketing, federal, state and local procurement, business financing and new technologies in media.

Cindy M. Walters, director of government-sponsored programs with the ODU Business Gateway, said the informality of the setting, coupled with the quality of the experts giving seminars, makes this a fantastic opportunity for local small businesses to learn about the tools they will need to succeed in a challenging environment.

"The workshops, combined with the vast resources of subject-matter experts networking with the business owners, is a vital part of keeping the university engaged in the business community, and the business owners able to identify the resources they need here at ODU," Walters said.

"We are extremely pleased to host this event with our VDBA partner, and other sponsors, here at ODU and are pleased to be the premier provider of business assistance for all industry endeavors."

Approximately 350 entrepreneurs and officials are expected to attend. ODU President John R. Broderick will extend an official welcome at 10:15 a.m.

Seminar speakers include Peter Su, Virginia assistant secretary for commerce and trade and director of the VDBA; Jack Beecher of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Vince Powell of the Department of Minority Business Enterprise; and Kim Madison of the Virginia Department of General Services, eVA Bureau.

Breakout sessions at the seminar include "Responding to Federal RFPs (Requests For Proposal)," "Selling to Local Governments" and "Marketing Through the Internet."

Walters said the lessons that Virginia entrepreneurs learn at the seminar will mirror the advice, encouragement and support that the ODU Business Gateway offers to dozens of local clients, linking the expertise of the university with local and regional entrepreneurs in an effort to grow the economy and forge stronger partnerships.

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance has a mission to deliver economic development programs and services that help create new jobs, retain existing jobs, spur new investment and encourage new business formation in the commonwealth.

For information about the Growing Sales Seminar, or to register, contact Walters at 757-683-5542 or cmwalter@odu.edu.