December 8, 2003

Despite a cold, snowy morning, approximately 300 people attended the Partner America Small Business Conference, hosted by Fargo (ND) Mayor Bruce Furness on November 12. The event, held at the Fargodome, was co'sponsored along with West Fargo (ND) Mayor Rich Mattern, Moorhead (MN) Mayor Mark Voxland, and Dilworth (MN) Mayor Keith Coalwell.

The highlight of the session was an entertaining and educational presentation by Partner America Chairman George A. Cloutier. With over 30 years of experience in working with thousands of businesses, Cloutier was able to share first-hand knowledge on running a successful business and making a profit. He urged conference participants (or event participants) to work hard, pay attention to detail and hold their employees accountable. In summary, he encouraged everyone to love their business as much as they love their families.

The half-day conference also included speakers from the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Commercial Service, North Dakota Department of Commerce, Dakota Certified Development Corporation, Moorehead Economic Development Authority, and the Fargo-Cass County Economic Development Corporation. Each speaker provided details on programs, funding and technical assistance available to start-up and small businesses.

Furness also invited a panel of new small business owners to discuss lessons learned, and share helpful hints in avoiding pit falls when starting a business. The panel consisted of Theresa Vanette, of Shakespeare's Peddler, Greg Gillispie of Dakota Technologies, Vernon Tate of Ribs West BBQ, and Mike Chambers of Aldevron. All agreed that having a comprehensive business plan, as well as having a mentor, was key to their success.

To assist small business owners in securing government contracts, procurement officers from the General Services Administration, Veteran's Administration, Grand Forks Air Force Base, Omaha Corps of Engineers and North Dakota State Procurement Office were available for one-on-one meetings with interested business owners.

Partner America® is a public-private partnership created by The United States Conference of Mayors and American Management Services to help small and mid'sized businesses improve profits and sales through management technical assistance in hundreds of cities and every state across the nation.

Mayors, local city officials and government agency partners, working together with American Management Services, are offering Partner America®, an economic development program designed to revitalize cities and metropolitan areas by helping small businesses enjoy sustained growth through increased profits, sales and cash.

If you would like to host a Partner America Small Business Conference or would like additional information, please contact Jeffrey Bean, Partner America Managing Director at 877-778-6762 or jbean@usmayors.org.