Alaska success stories, Google, Facebook, Apple on agenda

With the goal of giving Alaska’s small business owners and entrepreneurs some ideas and resources for how to expand and create jobs, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich is hosting the Alaska Small Business and Entrepreneurs Opportunity Workshop.

The workshop, scheduled for April 12 at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage, will include presentations from Alaskans who are already successful in business, as well as guest speakers from the Small Business Administration, Facebook, Google and Apple. The Facebook, Google and Apple speakers will highlight how Alaska small businesses can harness the potential of social media to market their products and services.

“We know Alaska’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy, key to job creation and economic growth,” Begich said. “Our goal is to connect small business owners with the knowledge and tools they need to be successful, expand, and hire more workers.”

The workshop also includes information from experts on how to attract investment for startup businesses and presentations from successful Alaska companies about how to take the next step in expanding business. It is cosponsored by the Small Business Administration, Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, the Alaska Small Business Development Center, and the University of Alaska.

A longtime small businessman, Sen. Begich will make opening remarks at the workshop. It runs from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Businesses interested in attending the workshop can RSVP at www.begich.senate.gov.