By Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland
May 12, 2003

Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic hosted a Partner America™ Small Business Conference April 30 at the Tangier Restaurant and Cabaret on West Market Street in Akron. The conference provided a forum for the small business community of Akron to learn about the different resources on the local, state and federal level available to the small business community.

More than 300 business owners attended the half-day event, the largest crowd ever for a Partner America™ Small Business Conference. Partner America™ is a public-private partnership created by The U.S. Conference of Mayors and American Management Services, Inc. to promote profitability, growth and job expansion among the nation's small businesses. Since it was created in 2000, Partner America has hosted more than 70 Small Business Conferences throughout the United States.

"We were pleased to be able to bring together these tremendous resources to aid and assist our small business community," said Plusquellic. "It is rare to have the opportunity to tap into this substantial level of expertise all in one location. The more than three hundred businesses represented found this experience most valuable."

Plusquellic welcomed keynote speaker, George Cloutier, Partner America™ chairman and CEO of America Management Services, who addressed the state of small business and offered tips for profitability. "In my experience, good management is the secret to success. Always keep a firm grasp on the money coming in and the money going out. Do a monthly financial report within the first five days of the following month, analyze it and make the necessary changes."

Cloutier also stressed the importance of small business growth, especially in a downturn economy. "Small businesses are the forgotten majority. If every small business in Akron added just one job, that would lead to substantial job growth in the city. In these uncertain economic times, it is more important than ever to ensure that small businesses get the recognition, assistance and attention they deserve."

Following Cloutier's speech, Plusquellic was joined by Gilbert Goldberg, Regional Director of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Together, they outlined the Akron Initiative, which was introduced in December of 2002, to offer Akron small businesses the opportunity to obtain loans, grants and tax incentives through partnerships the city and the SBA have formed with local banks. In fact, the first three loans were awarded to local business owners at the conference.

Other speakers at the conference included Anthony Outley from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Barry Bint, Business Development Officer at Export/Import Bank, and Ricardo Pelaez, International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Commercial Service. In addition, representatives from the local port authority and the Mayor's Office of Economic Development addressed the attendees regarding the local resources available to all Akron small business owners.

If you would like more information about Partner America, or if you are interested in hosting a Partner America Small Business Conference in your community, please contact Jeff Bean, Managing Director of Partner America at 781-487-0461 or send email to jbean@usmayors.org.