2013 Small Business Convention Kicks Off with $40,000 Challenge

-Kalahari to host Business Pitch Competition Finale-

CLEVELAND, July 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council of Smaller Enterprises' (COSE) has announced that its highly popular Business Pitch Competition will take place this year at Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky and serve as the kick-off of the 2013 Small Business Convention.  The final judging in the third annual COSE Business Pitch Competition will be held Wednesday, October 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center in Sandusky.  The 2013 Small Business Convention will be held the following two days, October 24 and 25, also at Kalahari.

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On October 23, the final four contestants will be vying for $40,000 in prize money and making presentations to a panel of judges that will include Jeff Hoffman, CEO and co-founder of the Priceline.com family of companies.  Since its inception, approximately 200 aspiring entrepreneurs have received invaluable feedback on their business plan from small business experts.  To enter, participants must submit a two-page summary of their business idea as well as a two-minute video pitch.  All entries will go through a series of judging that will culminate with the final four plans advancing to the final event on October 23.  For more information and to submit an entry, people can logon to www.cose.org/pitch.

The 2013 Small Business Convention returns to Kalahari after a very successful first year at the venue last year.  More than 1,000 small business professionals are expected to convene on October 24 and 25 to learn, connect and demonstrate the collective strength of the small business community.  This year's Convention features six inspiring keynote speakers, more than 50 idea-sparking educational breakout sessions, an 80-exhibit business-to-business trade show, as well as various networking opportunities and special events. 

This year's Convention is truly a collaborative effort as COSE has partnered with more than 30 chambers of commerce and business support organizations across Ohio and the Midwest to produce the event.  Members of collaborating chambers can register for the Convention for just $99 versus the non-member rate of $249.  Kalahari is also offering attendees a special hotel room rate of just $109 per night for those choosing to stay over.   

"We are so excited to see this event continue to grow as the largest event targeting small businesses in the Midwest," says Steve Millard, President and Executive Director of COSE.  "We are delighted to be working with so many of our fellow chambers of commerce across Ohio on making this an event experience small business owners can't afford to miss." 

"We are really excited about what we will deliver on at this year's Convention," says Tim Dimoff, Chairman of the 2013 COSE Small Business Convention Committee and President of SACS Consulting and Investigative Services, Inc. in Akron.  "My fellow committee members and I have very worked hard on developing the content at this year's Convention.  I know attendees are going to love the experience at this year's event." 

For more information and to register, logon to the official Convention website at www.smallbizconvention.com.  If you have questions, please email Katie Stevenson at [email protected]  or call (216) 592-2203.

About COSE
COSE is one of Ohio's largest small business support organization, striving to help small businesses grow and maintain their independence. Comprised of more than 14,000 member companies, COSE has a long history of fighting for the rights of all small business owners, whether it's through group purchasing programs for health care, workers' compensation, or energy, advocating for specific changes in legislation or regulation to benefit small business, or providing a forum and resource for small businesses to connect with and learn from each other. (www.cose.org)

SOURCE Council of Smaller Enterprises