Microsoft to Host First Small Business Summit

The best and the brightest experts gather at the small business summit to discuss best practices for small businesses to thrive.

REDMOND, WQ (PRWEB) February 28, 2006 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced that it will host its first-ever Small Business Summit (http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/small-business-summit/hub.mspx/?xid=C0033),a free four-day, must-attend event for small-business owners and decision-makers. Microsoft will detail its latest small-business innovations while fostering dynamic dialogue among gathered customers and industry luminaries about best practices to help small businesses thrive in today’s economy. This will include discussions about how to get more out of IT investments, save time and money in running a business, and better connect with and market to customers. In addition, customers can take advantage of more than 25 webcasts to help gain a competitive advantage in areas such as financial management, productivity, sales and marketing, and security for their IT investments.

Kevin Turner, chief operating officer at Microsoft, will be at the Small Business Summit discussing how technology can help create opportunities for small businesses and the entrepreneurs who run them. He will also outline Microsoft’s strategy for solutions that support small businesses (http://www.Microsoft.com/smallbusiness/?xid=C0033) to help them reach their full potential.

In addition, the Small Business Summit will feature keynote presentations from industry luminaries including Maxine Clark, CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc.; Keith Ferrazzi, founder and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight Inc.; and Jeff and Rich Sloan, authors and hosts of the “Startup Nation” radio show.

What: Microsoft® Small Business Summit

Where: Hyatt Regency Bellevue Hotel

    Grand Ballroom

    Bellevue, Wash.

When: March 14–17, 2006

An in-person event will be held March 14 at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue Hotel and will also be viewable via webcast.

Summit events from March 15 to March 17 will also be viewable via webcasts.

Additional details about the Microsoft Small Business Summit and registration information are available online at SBSUMMIT (http://www.sbsummit.com). Registered attendees for the event are eligible to receive a free copy of Microsoft Office Small Business Management Edition (http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/products/office/management/detail.mspx/?xid=C0033) (a $669 value).

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For event registration or more information, press only:

Katherine Kovacich, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, (503) 443-7000

Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, (503) 443-7070

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