Norton Annual Small Business Fair Set for Wednesday, June 10

D.C. residents and businesses participating are encouraged to register by Friday, June 5 by CLICKING HERE

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that her 2015 Small Business Fair will take place on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place NW). The event is free of charge, open only to D.C. residents and D.C. small businesses, and seating is first-come, first-served. Advance registration is strongly encouraged, and interested groups should register online by clicking here or visiting www.norton.house.gov. The Fair helps District small businesses and residents start, develop and grow small businesses.

"Our annual Small Business Fair provides updated, critical information, counseling, and resources to aspiring and current District business owners free of charge to help equip them with all the tools they need to operate a successful business here in D.C.," Norton said. "This fair keeps breaking records and we are trying for another record-breaking number this year."

The fair begins at 9:00 a.m. with a one-hour plenary session featuring Norton's announcement of the 2015 D.C. Small Business of the Year. D.C. Chamber of Commerce President Harry Wingo will provide remarks during the opening session and will moderate a panel discussion with other business leaders and experts.

From 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., workshops will provide guidance on writing a small business plan, starting a small business, financing a small business, insuring a small business, winning a federal contract, becoming eligible for the D.C. Certified Business Enterprise Program and understanding the E-Verify program. This year's fair will feature a brand new workshop hosted by Reingold LINK on best practices for utilizing social media for business branding.

From 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., participants will also receive one-on-one advice and counseling from bank loan officers, government small business procurement specialists, and Small Business Administration specialists on initiating the loan application process, writing a winning business plan, optimizing marketing strategies, and hiring practices.

Throughout the entire day, a networking lounge will be open for all participants. From 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., HIV testing will be available.