Small Business Days kick off in Wellington

Small Business Day New Zealand, to be held in Wellington this Friday, will kick off a series of 24 Small Business Day events around the country.

Minister for Small Business John Tamihere says the Small Business Days will build existing relationships and establish new ones between Government and the small business sector.

"I want our business heroes to be applauded in the same way that we applaud our sports heroes. Small Business Days will celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of small business." Small Business Day New Zealand, Wellington, 13 February Breakfast (8.30am - 10.30am, Grand Hall, Parliament) A business breakfast will welcome contributors and small business participants to the Small Business Day New Zealand launch. Prime Minister Helen Clark will deliver the breakfast speech. Small Business Pulse (10.30am – 4.00pm, Wellington Convention Centre)

Businesses participating in Small Business Pulse book in for a free 15-minute question and answer session with experienced business people. Businesspeople can bring along their new idea or current business challenge and receive advice from the best in the business. Small Business Seminars (10.30am – 4.00pm, Wellington Convention Centre) A free interactive and educational seminar series will run throughout the Small Business Day: 10.30am – 11.15am Seminar 1: Managing your relationships – networking (The Open Polytechnic) 10.30am-11.15am Seminar 2: Making energy work for your business (Genesis) 11.15-noon Seminar 3: The role of technology in achieving successful work/life balance (Vodafone) 11.15-noon Seminar 4: From business survival to excellence (Justin Lane, Westpac) 1.15-1.50pm Seminar 5: Managing yourself and your people as your business grows (opening speaker Keith MacGregor, director of personnel psychology, NZ Limited) 1.15-1.50pm Seminar 6: Getting the best out of your business advisor (Business in the Community) 2-2.45pm Seminar 7: Growing your business – services for SMEs (NZTE) 2-2.45pm Seminar 8: Business scams – business safety (Patrick Catamoule and Liz Butterfield) 3-3.45pm Seminar 9: You are not alone – tips to help you and your family succeed in business (Grant Thornton) 3-3.45pm Semianr 10: A beginner's guide to good employment relations (Cara Takitimu, employment relations mediator, Department of Labour)

Lunchtime Inspiration (12.10-1pm, Michael Fowler Centre)

Featuring inspirational businesspeople – Sunglasses Store founder Regan Wood and caterer extraordinaire Ruth Pretty.

Small Business Expo (All day, Wellington Convention Centre)

An exhibition by small businesses, Government and business-related organisations of their goods and services (free and open to the public).

Small Business Buzz (10.30am – 2pm, Wellington Convention Centre)

Exhibitions by Wellington small businesses Small Business Cocktail Party - sponsored by KPMG - (4.00pm – 6.30pm, Town Hall Auditorium) A speech by Minister for Small Business John Tamihere outlining his vision and plans for small business, and a cocktail party provide the platform for government, business leaders and small business to network and further discuss the issues brought up during the visits to small businesses.

Further information on the Small Business Days series is available at http://www.smallbusiness.med.govt.nz

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