Hawaiʻi Small Business Conference 2017 Schedule

Maui County officials announced the 2017 program schedule for the Hawaiʻi Small Business Conference which is set to take place May 3-4, at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

“This year’s conference theme, DESIGN, PROTECT, ENGAGE: Small Business Strategies for Success, aptly describes what attendees will gain from this empowering two-day event,” said Teena Rasmussen, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. “Not only will entrepreneurs and owners and employees of new and established businesses learn how to take their business to the next level, but they’ll also gain insights on how to stay ahead of the competition.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to network face-to-face with innovative business leaders and hear their insights, best practices, and tricks of the trade on a variety of topics such as customer service, marketing, data security and risk management. They can also take advantage of informational workshops and exhibits.

The full-day conference is scheduled for Wednesday, May 3, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Schedule:

7 a.m.: Registration and Continental Breakfast | McCoy Courtyard

8 a.m.: Welcome Remarks | McCoy Theater

Maggie Bayless, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of ZingTrain helps companies improve their bottom line through the Zingerman’s Bottom Line Training® approach for more than two decades.

8:15 a.m.: Keynote Address: “Bottom Line Change”
Presenter: Maggie Bayless, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, ZingTrain
Maggie Bayless will explore the elements of leadership and employee behavior that form Bottom Line Change®, making it a vehicle to invigorate positive change in any business. Maggie will then bring home the practical impact of Bottom Line Change® by interviewing Michael Moore of Hoaloha Na Eha Ltd., who has implemented this process in his own small businesses, including Old Lahaina Luau, Star Noodle, Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop, and Aloha Mixed Plate.

9 a.m.: A Case Study with Hoaloha Na Eha, Ltd. | Moderated by Maggie Bayless & Michael Moore, President, Hoaloha Na Eha, Ltd.

9:45 a.m.: Break and Exhibits | McCoy Courtyard

10:15 a.m.: Video Presentation: “Word on the Street” | McCoy Theater

10:20 a.m.: The Power of Service in Small Business Success
Presented by: Petra Marquart, President, Petra Marquart and Associates
Petra Marquart will present a comprehensive approach to customer service that holds each individual responsible for his or her behavior. Addressing the complex issues that affect people’s willingness to perform well and their dedication to their work, Petra will offer solutions and suggestions as to how organizations can create environments in which people thrive – inspiring people to provide world-class service.

11:05 a.m.: Case Studies in Customer Service | Moderated by Petra Marquart with Mama’s Fish House, Maui Soda and Ice, Pukalani Superette.

Noon: Lunch and Exhibits | McCoy Courtyard

1:15 p.m.: Powerful Marketing Strategies with a Small Business Budget| McCoy Theater
Presented by: Albert Samuelian, Managing Director West and Strategy, OMD
Albert Samuelian will focus on how small businesses can use social media and Search Engine Optimization to make their most of their modest marketing resources. He specializes in providing guidance on integrated marketing strategies.

Edward Arias, Special Agent with the FBI and a member of the Cyber Crime Squad in Honolulu since 2006 investigates internet-related crimes.

2:15 p.m.: Cyber Security and Small Business: Don’t Let the Bad Guys Get You
Presented by: Special Agent Edward Arias, InfraGard Coordinator, Cyber Squad (CY-1), Honolulu Division, FBI; and Matt Freeman, Sr. Manager, IP & Managed Services, Hawaiian Telcom
Edward Arias will explore cyber security from the perspective of the criminal, outlining the vulnerabilities and “holes” in security that makes many businesses perfect targets. Matt Freeman will approach it from the opposite perspective, concentrating on what a small business can do to prevent being a victim of cyber-crime.

3 p.m.: Risk Management: Why didn’t I think of that?
Presented by: Drew Nagai, CPCU, ALCM, APA, Assistant Vice President Sales & Marketing, Risk & Safety Management, First Insurance Company of Hawaii
Drew Nagai will investigate the art and science of risk management.  Every business is open to potential risks including the weather, fire, data loss, numerous types of theft, and a myriad of other catastrophes or damaging events. The challenge is to define, assess, and quantify what risks would most likely create an unrecoverable situation for your business.  As Drew will point out, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

4 p.m.: Closing Remarks

4:15 – 5:30 p.m.: Networking Reception | McCoy Courtyard

On Thursday, May 4, workshops held throughout the day will build upon the program topics discussed earlier facilitated by experts in their respective fields.  Workshops include:

11:30 a.m.: Workshop: Customer Service | Higashi Room
Facilitated by: Petra Marquart, President, Petra Marquart and Associates

11:30 a.m.: Workshop: Tax Strategies for Small Business| Haynes Room
Facilitated by: Kent H. Kasaoka, CPA, CGMA, Director, Accounting & Tax Solutions

Albert Samuelian, Managing Director at OMD West and Strategy is a strategic-minded marketing professional with 20+ years of experience leading high-profile businesses and developing data-driven, multi-media global communication strategy and plans.

1:15 – 3:45 p.m.: Workshop: Human Resources in Bottom Line Change | Higashi Room
Facilitated by: Maggie Bayless, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, ZingTrain

Workshop: Social Media Marketing | Haynes Room
Facilitated by: Albert Samuelian, Managing Director West and Strategy, OMD

The cost to attend the full-day conference on May 3, is $85 which includes luncheon and exhibits.

The workshops on May 4, are $45 per workshop. Attendees can save $10 by registering for the conference plus one or both workshops, or by registering for both workshops.

Click here to register online. For additional information on this year’s program and speakers, visit the event’s website, email [email protected] or call (808) 875-2300.