Business Leaders Headline HELP Expo/Mixer

Jane Sawyer, US Small Business Administration's Hawaii District Director. Courtesy of HELP.

By Sonia Isotov

The HELP Small Business-Entrepreneurial Expo and Networking Mixer is this Friday, April 13 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the King Kamehameha Golf Club in Waikapu.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the vendor expo, followed by a business conference and an extended networking mixer. The event is geared for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to start or expand a business.

At 5:30 p.m., Mayor Alan Arakawa is scheduled to kick-off the conference, followed by presentations from Jane Sawyer, the US Small Business Administration’s Hawaii District Director; Ryther Barbin, a Maui business attorney and Senator Daniel Inouye’s Maui representative; and Pamela Tumpap, president of the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Ryther (Ry) Barbin, Maui attorney and Senator Daniel Inouye's Maui representative. Courtesy of HELP.

“I will discuss the role of small business in today’s economy and the tools available for small businesses to build and revitalize their operations to meet current needs,” said Sawyer in a written statement.

Her topic is entitled, “Entrepreneurship in Today’s Economy: Defining Your Own Success.”

In a presentation entitled, “Business Organizations from A to Z,” Barbin spoke on the formation of legal entities (i.e. the formation and operation of corporations, limited liability partnerships, sole proprietorships, and joint ventures).

“Many small businesses are not aware of the advantages and differences of a Corporation, LLC, Partnership, Limited Partnership and Sole Proprietorship. I hope to assist and educate the audience in what is best for them,” said Barbin.

Pamela Tumpap, President of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, will talk about the importance of buying locally-made products, supporting Maui businesses, and doing business with others in the room.

Mayor Alan Arakawa, photo by Wendy Osher.

“Buying local is one of the best ways to help our economy and your neighbors right here in the community,” Tumpap said.

Other speakers will include: Wendy Hornack, Owner of Island Support – a Maui-based computer services business – and Ermin Fergerstrom, HELP Expo founder and business owner.

From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., attendees will participate in a networking mixer where they will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships and generate new business.

The vendor expo is an outlet for vendors to showcase their products, services and business opportunities to the local community and for existing companies who provide services and offer resources to share them with business owners.

This event is being sponsored in part by Central Pacific Bank, A1 POS Systems, Business Network International (BNI) Hawaii and State Farm Insurance Agent Carey Tanaka.

Tickets are $26 pre-sale and $29 at the door. Ticket price includes attendance to the business conference, the vendor expo, heavy pupus, and a drink at the networking mixer. To register now online visit HelpExpo.org or by call 808-250-2028.