Symposium Aids New, Existing Small Businesses In East Tampa

Kathy Steele | Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Wondering how to build a marketing plan that will grow your business? Or just want to know the nuts and bolts of how to start a new business?

The all-day Tampa Bay Small Business Symposium will gather experts in business, marketing, finance and government who will share advice and offer encouragement. The free event will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the NFL Yet Center at Jackson Heights at 3310 E. Lake Ave.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn will be guest speaker with a message on "Creating New Opportunities for Small Business."

There will be panel discussions, break-out sesssions and a networking luncheon with guest speaker Charles Long of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Symposium topics include marketing, finance, networking, technology and social media.

"We want to help the person who is new to business or has a business and wants to know how to expand, how to get into computers or hire more people," says Essie Sims, event moderator and chairman of the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership. "How do you get from the garage to brick and mortar?"

The partnership is a volunteer advisory group that works with Tampa city officials on redevelopment strategies for the East Tampa area. It is one of several event sponsors and participants including the city of Tampa, Hillsborough County, Central Florida Community Planning & Development, SmallBusiness Symposium.com, Hispanic Business Initiative Fund, Tampa Bay Economic Development Corporation, Suncoast Credit Union, Sam's Club and Blue Lynx Marketing.

This is the second annual business symposium. Last year's event drew about 200 people, says Carrol Josephs-Marshall, symposium organizer and partnership board member.

The focus this year is on break-out sessions to allow more one-on-one discussions between business owners and panel experts.

People ready to start a business will be able to get information on the programs, tools, strategies and support organizations that can help turn an idea into a reality. New businesses or established businesses can find out how to move to the next level with advice on marketing, finances and technology.

"We're hoping to help small businesses sustain themselves, to give them the tools they need to succeed," says Josephs-Marshall.

Writer: Kathy Steele
Source: Essie Sims and Carrol Josephs-Marshall, East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership

Read more articles by Kathy Steele.

Kathy Steele is a freelance writer who lives in the Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa. She previously covered Tampa neighborhoods for more than 15 years as a reporter for The Tampa Tribune. She grew up in Georgia but headed north to earn a BA degree from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. She backpacked through Europe before attending the University of Iowa's Creative Writers' Workshop for two years. She has a journalism degree from Georgia College. She likes writing, history, and movies.