2014 Small Business Convention Kicks Off with $40,000 Challenge

-Kalahari to again host Business Pitch Competition Finale-

News provided by

Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE)

Jul 30, 2014, 03:32 ET

CLEVELAND, July 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council of Smaller Enterprises' (COSE) has announced that its highly popular Business Pitch Competition will again take place this year at Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky and serve as the kick-off of its annual Small Business Convention. The final judging in the fourth annual COSE Business Pitch Competition will be held Wednesday, October 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center in Sandusky. The 2014 Small Business Convention will be held the following two days, October 23 and 24, also at Kalahari.

2014 Small Business Convention, October 22-24 at Kalahari Resorts, Sandusky, Ohio. (PRNewsFoto/(COSE)) (PRNewsFoto/(COSE))

On October 22, the final four contestants will be vying for $40,000 in prize money and making presentations to a panel of judges. Since its inception, approximately 275 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 22. For more information and to submit an entry, people can logon to www.cose.org/pitch.

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 four inspiring keynote speakers, more than 40 idea-sparking educational breakout sessions, an 80-exhbit 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 40 chambers of commerce and business support organizations across Ohio and the Midwest to produce the event. COSE members and members of collaborating chambers can register for the Convention for just $149 versus the non-member rate of $299. 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 2014 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 Angela Presutti at [email protected] or call (216) 592-2385.

About COSE
COSE (Council of Smaller Enterprises) is committed to empowering small business success through a series of programs, services, events, and resources that support entrepreneurs, their businesses—and their employees. COSE helps small businesses achieve their idea of success in order to build richer, more vibrant communities that improve the economic climate and enhance quality of life. You can learn more about COSE at www.cose.org or contacting one of our small business concierges at 866-553-5427.

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SOURCE Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE)