NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KINGSPORT – November 5, 2008 – For the second straight year, the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and KOSBE have teamed up to put on the 2nd Annual KOSBE Small Business Night School, on Wednesday and Thursday, November 19 & 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Chamber of Commerce in Downtown Kingsport.

Primarily, the KOSBE 2nd Annual Small Business Night School provides free training, peer-to-peer networking, collaborative problem-analysis and problem-solving, and access to contracting opportunities and financing to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

During this two-night event, attendees will have a chance to meet with contracting administrators during a first-time Kingsport Chamber Purchasing Invitational Expo, which is an informal setting where representatives from local government agencies and large area businesses are available to meet with small business owners, who consider themselves potential suppliers. Representatives will help attendees learn how to do business with their agency or company, and stay abreast of upcoming procurement opportunities. Participants can review current bid lists and add their name or company to vendor mailing lists. For some small business owners, this may be the only chance to meet with representatives one-on-one from the City of Kingsport, Kingsport City Schools, Sullivan County, Washington County, Domtar, BAE Systems, Eastman Chemical Company, and other companies that outsource services and products.

Registered attendees will also have the chance to apply for the SBA Community Express Loan for $5,000 to $25,000, during a group live loan application process facilitated by Sue Malone, the leading SBA Community Express Loan lender in the nation. While in attendance, participants can investigate other sources of capital for their small business. Applicants must be 18 or older. Ronald Wade, with the State of Tennessee Economic & Community Development Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO), will be on hand to clarify the details of a new Rural Microloan Program which was introduced by the State earlier this year for loans up to $10,000.

To help business owners and entrepreneurs solve their existing problems, avoid future pitfalls, and incorporate creative brainstorming, a team of experts will lead a variety of general discussion groups on topics including:

- Insurance Requirements
- Employment Rules
- Finance
- Starting a Business
- Government Contracting
- Business Exit
- Baby Boomer Entrepreneurs (for age 50-plus)
- Supervision & Management
- Problem-Solving
- Quality
- Sales & Marketing
- Franchising

Although the Night School was designed with business owners, entrepreneurs, high school and college students, retirees and seniors in mind, the event is open to the general public. There is no cost to attend and refreshments will be served. Anyone interested can register online at WWW.KOSBE.ORG or call (423) 392-8811 for more information.