Presenter:         Peter Shakula     Wood, Phillips, Intellectual Property Law
Date:                 Tuesday, May 15, 2012           
Time:                 7:45 a.m.   networking & coffee
                          8:00 – 9:30 a.m.  program  
Place:                University and College Center (note new location)
                          16333 S. Kilbourn, Oak Forest
R.S.V.P.:            708.596.2000 ext. 2568
Cost:                  Free to paid SSSBA members; $5 guests

Join us for an educational and helpful event along with a “light” breakfast.

For Online Registration Please click here.

What is intellectual property?  Do you know how to protect yourself if you have invented or created something?  How do you know if you might inadvertently be breaking the law by “lifting” or “using” something that is protected under this broad heading?

Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind: inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce.  It includes things such as inventions (patents), trademarks or industrial designs.  Copyright includes literary and artistic works such as novels, poems, plays, films, musical works or other artistic works.

Peter Shakula will explain what intellectual property is and what it covers; the basic differences of trademarks, copyrights and patents; things to know about intellectual property and your business; and information regarding recent patent legislation.

Mr. Shakula focuses his practice on the enforcement of patents, trademarks, and copyrights. He has experience in litigating intellectual property disputes in the federal trial and appellate courts.

Mark your calendars now and plan your morning around this event.  Come gain insights, tips, and strategies to increase your business know-how and help your business grow.  Bring your business cards and information about your business and make sure to arrive in time to network.

For hundreds of helpful and thought provoking tips on running your business successfully visit us on facebook and be sure to comment. Scroll through our Facebook page here on the left for an interesting array of topics and click to visit it to see even more.

Presenter:         Tom Rowland     Treehouse Financial
Date:                 Tuesday, July 17, 2012           
Time:                 7:45 a.m.   networking & coffee
                          8:00 – 9:30 a.m.  program  
Place:                University and College Center (note new location)
                          16333 S. Kilbourn, Oak Forest
R.S.V.P.:            708.596.2000 ext. 2568
Cost:                  Free to paid SSSBA members; $5 guests

Join us for an educational and helpful event along with a “light” breakfast.

For Online Registration Please click here.

Do your eyes glaze over when you are asked about financial statements?  Do you think financial statements are only used when you apply for a business loan and then go on a shelf?  When you are looking to do business with a company do you study their financial statement?

If not, maybe it’s because you don’t really understand the purpose and value of financial statements!  After this workshop, you will have a better understanding about how you can use your financial statement as a tool to determine how well your operations are working.

Tom Rowland, CPA, has spent over 25 years in leadership roles in accounting. As a CPA, Tom has worked in many industries to provide accurate, detailed financial information. He has partnered with business owners and developed strategies that successfully addressed changing business conditions.

Mark your calendars now and plan your morning around this event.  Come gain insights, tips, and strategies to increase your business know-how and help your business grow.  Bring your business cards and information about your business and make sure to arrive in time to network.

For hundreds of helpful and thought provoking tips on running your business successfully visit us on facebook and be sure to comment. Scroll through our Facebook page here on the left for an interesting array of topics and click to visit it to see even more.

Small Business Award recognizes a businesse’s management ability, continued growth, innovativeness of their product or service, and contribution to the community or others. 
Awardee for 2011:  Shon Harris and Angela Drexel, Livewire Electrical Systems Inc., Oak Forest, Illinois

Training Excellence Award recognizes businesses that are striving to maintain and upgrade their employees’ skills, contribution to the community or others, value added from the training process to their business and recognition of being ready for new or changing technologies or processes.
Awardee for 2011:  Arlene Freeman, Ventura Foods, Thornton, Illinois

Economic Development Leader Award acknowledges management ability, contribution to the community and region by working toward continued growth and viability of the region, efforts made to build good, strong relationships with business.
Awardee for 2011:  Reggie Greenwood, Director of Economic Development for SSSMA and the affiliated nonprofit Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation (CSEDC)

Creative Arts Award acknowledges the ability to offer top-caliber talent to the community, the use of local talent representing the diversity of the communities it serves, demonstration of continued growth and success as an organization and its willingness to engage in collaborative efforts with other creative arts organizations.
Awardee for 2011:  Etel Billig, Illinois Theatre Center (ITC), Park Forest, Illinois

Young Entrepreneur Award recognizes the vision, innovation and hard work of a young person; their contribution to the community or others;  and raises awareness in our communities and among our youth of the critical role that private enterprise and entrepreneurship play in the building of America.
Awardee for 2011:  Nicholas Laszlo, High School Senior, NLX Marketing Inc., Munster, Indiana.

The Annual Summit Awards honor leading business people and organizations who have contributed to the economic and cultural growth of the region.  Each of the awardees is carefully selected from the many businesses and organizations in the region for their outstanding performance and excellence in their qualifying category.

EVENT INFORMATION:

When: February 15th, 2012
           7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Registration and Networking
           8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Breakfast and Awards Event
Where: Idlewild Country Club
Address:  19201 Dixie Highway, Flossmoor, Illlinois

Keyboard Artist:  Jacari Lobbins

Keynote Speaker:
 

Keith Kirkpatrick, KPM Group
Leading authority on organizational leadership and entrepreneurship; television host, Lakeshore Focus

Topic:  Entrepreneurs Wear Long Sleeves

REGISTRATION: Please click here.

For additional information or questions, our contact information is on this page at the upper left. You can contact us online by clicking on the ‘contact us’ link at the upper right.

To read about last year’s Awardees: Please click here.

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!!!!!  SSSBA is celebrating its Annual Holiday Party  !!!!!

Please join SSSBA as we celebrate the season at our annual luncheon holiday party. You and your guests will enjoy a lovely lunch and stimulating conversation. Invite your significant other, clients and office staff to ring in the season with SSSBA!
 
MAKE THIS YOUR BUSINESS HOLIDAY PARTY!

Date: Friday December 16, 2011
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Place: Glenwood Oaks Restaurant
106 North Main Street, Glenwood, Il

Cost: $15 per person
R.S.V.P.: By December 7, 2011

Registration: Click on the link below or
Call 708-596-2000 ext. 2568 or contact Carmen Garcia (info@sssba.org) or
Mail: make checks payable to SSSBA and include your Name, Business Name, Address,
Phone number, email address, number of tickets and check and mail to:
SSSBA, c/o BCI
58 West 162nd Street
South Holland, Il 60473

Please bring children’s hats, mittens, gloves, scarves to help make this a warm season for area children.

REGISTRATION FOR HOLIDAY PARTY: Please click here.

Presenter: Jessie Jury
Independent Communications Professional

Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Time: 7:45 a.m. networking & coffee
8:00 – 9:30 a.m. program

Place: Heritage Room, South Suburban College
15800 S. State Street, South Holland, IL

R.S.V.P.: 708.596.2000 ext. 2568
Cost: Free to paid SSSBA members; $5 guests

Do you need help making sense of the social media puzzle? An updated web site is crucial for gaining community support and engagement. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle. Is your business on Facebook & other social media? What are you waiting for?

In this session, you will learn why social media should be an integral part of your business marketing plan. We’ll address fears about jumping into social media and discuss how to create a Facebook page for business, create a LinkedIn business profile, and more!

Jessie Jury is an independent communications professional with experience working in many industries with clients including Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, professional membership associations, non-profit organizations, and universities. She enjoys helping her clients promote a positive image with comprehensive marketing strategies that are fun to implement!

Her background includes serving as marketing manager for an IT consulting and training company, webmaster for several organizations, writer and editor for online and print newsletters, and editor of a national consumer magazine. She creates and develops plans with clients to best market their businesses and themselves.

Plan your day around this event. Come gain insights, tips, and strategies to increase your business know-how. Bring your business cards and information about your business and make sure to arrive in time to network.

OUR 14TH ANNUAL FALL MEETING AND LUNCHEON will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday October 12, 2011 at the Odyssey Country Club,

Held in conjunction with the Annual Luncheon is an Exhibitor’s Fair where companies will showcase their businesses.  Exhibits will be open from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and from 1:30 to 2:30 PM.  Attendees are encouraged to come early and visit the Exhibitor’s booths.  There will be raffles and free gifts for those visiting the booths.

Keynote Speaker: 

Jack A. Ablin

Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Harris Private Bank

Keynote Presentation:  Current Economy and Insightful Projections into the future

Mr Ablin is a well known and respected speaker Jack A. Ablin, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Harris Private Bank.  He is responsible for establishing investment policy and strategy within the Personal Investment Management Group of Harris Private Bank. Mr. Ablin also chairs the Harris Private Bank Asset Allocation Committee, which determines the strategy for investment portfolios for Harris Private Bank. Mr. Ablin joined Harris in 2001 and has more than 25 years of experience in money management.  Mr. Ablin earned a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College, New York, where he graduated with honors with an AB in Mathematics and Computer Science. Mr. Ablin received an MBA with honors and graduated cum laude from Boston University, Massachusetts, and is a member of the Beta Kappa Sigma Honors Society. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago and a CFA Institute Charter holder.  Highlights of Mr. Ablin’s career:

• Author of Reading Minds and Markets: Minimizing Risk and Maximizing Returns in a Volatile Global Marketplace, published in July 2009 by F.T. Press; Wall Street Journal’s best-seller list, 2009
• Written on a variety of topics, including investor psychology and financial markets outlook
• Frequent contributor to CNBC, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s
• Served as a Professor of Finance at Boston University, Graduate School of Management
• Spent five years as a Money and Markets correspondent for WTLV, the NBC affiliate in Jacksonville, Florida
• Named one of the top 100 Wealth Advisors in North America, by CityWealth Magazine in 2006 and 2010

MEMBERS, REGISTER HERE.

NON-MEMBERS, REGISTER HERE. You will save $5.00 per ticket if you become a member first. To apply for membership, please click here.
 

SPONSOR INFORMATION
We welcome sponsors for this event.  Each sponsor will receive program recognition and two luncheon tickets.
Sponsorship Fee: $300 per sponsorship. Remit to SSSBA or complete online registration and payment below.

SPONSOR REGISTRATION: Please click here.

ADDITIONAL TICKETS FOR SPONSORS:  Additional luncheon tickets are available at $35 each. Please click here to purchase additional tickets.

ATTENTION EXHIBITORS
This year again you will have a special opportunity to promote your business and interact with attendees at the
South Suburban Small Business Association
1th Annual Meeting & Luncheon
October 12, 2011
11:00AM to 2:30PM
Odyssey Country Club
Tinley Park, IL

TO VIEW OUR EXHIBITORS AND SPONSORS: Please click here.

HURRY NOW, to reserve your Table!  Space is filling up quickly!

EXHIBITOR INFORMATION
Each exhibitor will be provided an 8-foot table. Set-up for exhibitors will be between 10:00AM and 10:45AM. Exhibits will be open for attendees from 11:00AM to 12:00Noon and 1:30PM to 2:30PM.
Exhibitor Fee: $125 (includes 1 ticket for the luncheon & program) Remit to SSSBA or complete online registration and payment below.

EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION: Please click here.

ADDITIONAL TICKETS FOR EXHIBITORS:  Additional luncheon tickets are available at $35 each. Please click here to purchase additional tickets.

Exhibitors may direct questions to Lynette Nunn (lynette.nunn@harrisbank.com) at 708-557-0615 or Angela Wiggins (awigginscpa@sbcglobal.net) at 708-351-6726.

Presenter:         Kelly Cooper     J & J Auto Rebuilders, Inc.
Date:                 Postponed: Watch for rescheduled date           
Time:                 7:45 a.m.   networking & coffee
                          8:00 – 9:30 a.m.  program  
Place:                Heritage Room
                          South Suburban College
                          15800 S. State Street, South Holland, IL
R.S.V.P.:            708.596.2000 ext. 2568
Cost:                  Free to paid SSSBA members; $5 guests

Join us for an educational and helpful event along with a “light” breakfast.

For Online Registration Please click here.

“Getting” customers is often the focus of workshops when the reality is that “keeping” customers may be the real key to a successful business.  We often hear that customer loyalty “just aint what it used to be!” And that may be true, but it doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible.  Attend this workshop and learn pointers on how to keep in your customers’ minds and electronic address books!

Kelly Cooper is the 2009 South Suburban Small Business Association Small Business owner of the year.  At the Summit Awards, he wowed the audience with his innovative ideas and exceptional customer service.  And, he made it sound so simple.   You may remember his demonstration at the Summit Awards of the custom-painted illumination technique for businesses to display their brand on their vehicles.

Co-owner of J&J Auto Rebuilders in Crestwood, Kelly Cooper has 32 years of experience in the automotive business, ranging from mechanic and moving into automotive management.  Nineteen years ago Kelly and Jerry Callis opened J&J, when the opportunity presented itself.  When the economy took a downturn, J&J picked up more clients than ever before. 

Plan your day around this event.  Come gain insights, tips, and strategies to increase your business know-how.  Bring your business cards and information about your business and make sure to arrive in time to network. 

Click on an Awardee for more information and picture.

- Small Business of the Year:    Sweet Annie’s Bakery of Flossmoor, Il 

- Training Excellence:    Free-Flow Packaging of Thornton Il

- Economic Development Leader of the year:    Mayor Ed Zabrocki of Tinley Park, Il.

- Creative Arts Organization of the Year:    The South Suburban Chorale, Albert M. Jackson Director

TO VIEW ALL PICTURES FROM OUR EVENT: Please click here.

EVENT INFORMATION

When: February 16th, 2011
            7:45 – 8:00 a.m.  Registration and Networking
            8:00 – 9:30 a.m.  Breakfast and Awards Event
Where: Doubletree Hotel
Address: 5000 West 127th St, Alsip, Il

Speaker:  Dr. Michael S. Miller, Ph.D.
                DePaul University                                                                
                Associate Professor, Department of Economics

These annual awards honor leading business people and organizations who have contributed to the economic and cultural growth of the region.  Four awards are given:  The Small Business of the Year Award, The Training Excellence of the Year Award, The Economic Development Leader of the Year Award, and Creative Arts Organization of the Year.  Each of the awardees is carefully selected from the many businesses and organizations in the region for their outstanding performance and excellence in their qualifying category.

For additional information or questions, our contact information is on this page at the upper left.  You can contact us online by clicking on the ‘contact us’ link at the upper right.

To read about last year’s Awardees: Please click here.

The Holidays are a good time to pause and appreciate the things that mean the most in life – the beauty around us, the joy that comes from giving and, most of all…getting together with good friends.

Date:                  Wednesday December 8, 2010
Time:                 11:30 a.m.  to  1:30 p.m.
Place:                 Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery
                          1035 Sterling Ave, Flossmoor, Il

Cost:                  $15 per person
R.S.V.P.:             By December 1, 2010

Registration:   Click on the link below or
                       Call 708-596-2000 ext. 2568 or contact Nancy Burrows (info@sssba.org) or
                       Mail:  make checks payable to SSSBA and include your Name, Business Name, Address,
                       Phone number, email address, number of tickets and check and mail to:
                                SSSBA, c/o BCI
                                58 West 162nd Street
                                South Holland, Il 60473

We are collecting gifts for a local children’s charity.  Please bring a pair of gloves, scarf or hat when you come to the party.

REGISTRATION FOR HOLIDAY PARTY: Please click here.