Maui Small Business Week Scheduled for May

2016 Maui SBW logo.

The third annual Maui Small Business Week is scheduled for May 9 through 13, 2016. This year’s Maui SBW will offer free, daily, educational workshops and seminars in the mornings and afternoons at a centrally located venue (soon to be announced).

Due to the successful results of the 2014 and 2015 Maui SBW, the County of Maui has increased its support for this year’s week of events, including help to augment organizer Maui Business Brainstormers’ marketing efforts by promoting SBW within the county’s network.

Maui SBW organizer Lori Fisher emphasized the collaboration with Maui County to make this recurring event successful, noting that “Maui County embraces the principles of ‘keeping dollars in the local economy’ and ‘community well-being,’ and has helped to support a local program with events similar to those hosted by larger cities.”

Maui Mayor Arakawa inspiring the audience with his speech at the inaugural day of 2015 Maui SBW. MBB photo.

“We can all be proud that Maui County is able to celebrate its small business community through events such as Maui SBW that make the local economy more vibrant,” Fisher added.

David Kapaku, another local leader and repeat presenter at Maui SBW, said, “The momentum of planning and preparation continues to build, attracting attention and collaboration with local government agencies and private organizations to help make this year’s SBW happen.”

Sessions and speakers are being confirmed daily for the May event.

The event has a number of repeat sponsors, but organizers are always seeking more support.

Local Maui SBW organizer Grace Fung encourages businesses to sign up as sponsors.

“Please join in Maui County’s opportunity to network, grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation and increase Hawai‘i’s global competitiveness,” said Fung. “We want to use education to strengthen Maui’s economy and future employment opportunities.”

Maui Now will update information regarding registration, schedules and locations as it becomes available.

For more information or to become a sponsor, contact Fung at [email protected] or call her at 463-8528.

For more information about Maui business Brainstormers or Maui Business Week, go online.

NATIONAL SBW HISTORY

Every year since 1963, the US president has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Nationwide, business award ceremonies and free educational events are usually scheduled during the second week of May.

In larger cities, SBW offers an intense program of award and educational events to promote the SBW mission: “We celebrate small businesses that fuel America’s economic innovation and prosperity.”

In smaller cities, the SBA offers webinars in place of live events.

STATE SBW HISTORY

In the Aloha State, the SBA Hawai‘i District celebrates SBW with award ceremonies on each island.

MAUI COUNTY SBW HISTORY

Beginning in 2014, Maui County officials chose to also celebrate SBW following the national calendar, prompted by a Maui Business Brainstormers initiative to hold an inaugural week-long event—the first on Maui and in the state.

The event offered five days of free, educational events to benefit local small businesses owners and managers, and was repeated again in 2015 with strong attendance and positive participant reviews.

At last year’s Maui SBW, Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa presented an inspiring speech in support of the themes in the keynote presentation on “Aloha Works.” Gov. David Ige attended “virtually” via a one-minute video. Maui OED Director Teena Rasmussen and MCBRC Manager Karen Arakawa further represented the county’s support by providing onstage encouragement for local entrepreneurs and small businesses.

From 2014 to 2015, Maui Small Business Week doubled in size, holding 13 sessions at various venues across the island.

Maui SBW organizer Grace Fung noted that “the program increased not only in the number of offerings, but in quality of the programs, with more relevant topics, more valuable content and top-notch expert speakers.”

With the official support of the Maui County Office of Economic Development, MBB is leading the event again this year with an entire week devoted to educational workshops and seminars.

Some of the topics already confirmed include pricing strategies and the role of pricing in a marketing mix; honing marketing techniques, such as use of an effective tag line backed by a sound mission statement and a polished elevator pitch; getting business done in the right way that plays to strengths; key financial strategies to stay solvent, manage cash and keep the lifeblood in business; and improving operations and expanding a small business through focus on a business plan.