Coming business events

Name of event: End the Paper Pain: File, Don't Pile

Date and time: March 17, 6:30-9 p.m.

Place: The Lodge at Beaver Lake, 25101 S.E .24th St., Sammamish

Cost: $149, includes FreedomFiler kit.

Web site: http://www.itssimplyplaced.com

Event phone: 206-579-5743

Description: Do you have paper pain? End it once and for all. Come join Simply Placed and we'll teach you a system that makes it just as easy to file, instead of pile. We'll get you set up with a filing system for your home or home based business that is virtually maintenance free.

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Name of event: Entering the Cloud: Find your sweet spot for getting started in the Cloud

Date and time: March 18, 7-9 a.m.

Place: W Hotel

Cost: Free

Web site: http://www.centerstance.com/TemplateFullPage?ss=misc&pn=seattleCloudEssentialsPM

Event phone: 503 740-7292

Description: In this seminar you'll learn how to select candidates for cloud computing initiatives. This will include evaluating and selecting candidates for software as a service, platform as a service, and infrastructure as a service. You will learn which cloud technology layers work best for which types of systems, services and business processes. John Marshall, director of technology services for Centerstance will present

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Name of event: Estate Planning Changes You Should Know About

Date and time: March 18, 6-7:30 p.m.

Place: Providence Marianwood, 3725 Providence Point Drive S.E., Issaquah

Cost: Free.

Event phone: 425-369-5112

Description: Estate tax rules are changing. Are your estate planning strategies keeping up? This event, featuring Jennifer L. King of Somers Tamblyn King law firm on Mercer Island, will address many issues including: What do you need to know about estate tax law to transfer what you want, when you want, to whom you want as smoothly and tax-efficiently as possible? What is unique about current tax and estate laws for 2010 and beyond?[space]What are savvy strategies for wealth transfer and charitable gifting?

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Name of event: Align Your Hamsters and Honeymooners: Practical Steps to Increasing Workforce Engagement

Date and time: March 18, 7:30-9 a.m.

Place: Washington Athletic Club

Cost: Seattle SHRM member $35, nonmember $45, student $15; price includes breakfast

Web site: www.shrm-seattle.com

Event phone: 206-575-0557

Description: If organizations focus exclusively on the "disengaged" they miss the chance for more immediate, tangible increases in overall workforce engagement. One important but overlooked strategy: Turning happy employees who aren't doing work that matters ("hamsters" and "honeymooners") into fully engaged and productive employees. Ann Mamallo, director of the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada for BlessingWhite, a global consulting and training firm, will present a fresh way to segment employee engagement levels, share engagement drivers identified through global research, and highlight best practices for moving the engagement needle for these critical employees.

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Name of event: Meeting Notes Made Easy

Date and time: March 18, 10 -11:45 a.m.

Place: Online class

Cost: $119

Web site: http://www.syntaxtraining.com/PDF/Meeting_Notes_Made_Easy_March_18_2010.pdf

Event phone: 206-782-8410

Description: Do you dread taking meeting minutes? In this 90-minute live online session (plus 15 minutes of Q&A), find out how to take meeting notes and minutes with ease. Replace unhelpful note-taking beliefs with best practices. Apply new strategies as you practice taking notes at a simulated 10-minute meeting. Download four note-taking templates, including a combined agenda-notes model.

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Name of event: eWomen Network Accelerated Networking Luncheon

Date and time: March 18, 10:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

Place: Maggiano's Little Italy

Cost: $42.95 members, $55 nonmembers; $65 for everyone beginning March 14

Web site: http://www.thesavvynetworker.com/Bellevue_Events_and_Info.html

Event phone: 425-444-5063

Description: Speaker Sheryl Eldene's topic is "Finding Your Marketing Sweet Spot: Connect Your Passion To Your Target Market ."

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Name of event: CEO to CEO Breakfast: Using Social Media as a Leadership Tool

Date and time: March 18, 7:30-9:30 a.m.

Place: Columbia Tower Club, 701 Fifth Ave., 75th floor, Seattle

Cost: $45

Web site: http://www.ceotoceo.com/

Description: How CEOs can socialize their way to employee engagement, retention, collaboration and success

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Name of event: Nonprofit Roadmap to Success: It Takes a Plan

Date and time: March 18, 1:27-3:30 p.m.

Place: Poulsbo Inn & Suites, Hwy 305, Poulsbo

Cost: $11

Web site: http://www.elevatingyourbusinessu.com/class/economyproof2.html

Event phone: 360-271-8418

Description: Learn about a process that helps nonprofits achieve their goals faster and do more with less. This event is for nonprofit executive directors, board of directors, HR managers, marketing directors and staff.

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Name of event: Entering the Cloud: Find your sweet spot for getting started in the Cloud

Date and time: March 18, 5-7 p.m.

Place: The Bellevue Westin

Cost: Free

Web site: http://www.centerstance.com/TemplateFullPage?ss=misc&pn=seattleCloudEssentialsPM

Event phone: 503 740-7292

Description: In this seminar you'll learn how to select candidates for cloud computing initiatives. This will include evaluating and selecting candidates for software as a service, platform as a service, and infrastructure as a service. You will learn which Cloud technology layers work best for which types of systems, services and business processes. John Marshall, director of technology services for Centerstance will present

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Name of event: Mobile: Where is the Money?

Date and time: March 18, 6-9 p.m.

Place: Courtyard by Marriott, 11010 N.E. 8th St., Bellevue

Cost: TiE member $35, nonmember $55

Web site: http://seattle.tie.org/TGS/EM/viewevent/viewEventPT?id_event=4340&from_where=chapter_homepage

Description: The mobile industry added one billion new subscriptions in 2009 worldwide; there are more than 4 1/2 billion active mobile subscriptions across the globe. How can you tap into this marketplace, and where do you even start? We are bringing together experts representing different aspects of mobile industry to share their perspective and to describe opportunities they are tapping into to be successful. Panelists include Darren Austin, director of product management mobile messaging, AOL; Michael Coan, senior vice president of business development and distribution, GoTV; Jeff Giard, director of strategy, Clearwire; Jeremy Korst, senior director, broadband products and services, T-Mobile USA; Dwight Krossa, executive vice president, Kiha Software; and moderator Mark Donovan, senior vice president- mobile, comScore.

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Name of event: The Ins and Outs of Social Networking

Date and time: March 18, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Place: Nordstrom flagship store, 1617 6th Ave., downtown Seattle

Cost: $200

Web site: http://tripartners.com/Pages/NWDLS/NWDLS_Home.html

Event phone: 206.362.0336

Description: This is session 2 of the 2010 NW Diversity Learning Series. Social networks are emerging everywhere as a means of communicating, learning and connecting. These networks and their impact have enormous implications for individuals and organizations. In this session, social networking expert Biray Alsac will explore who's in and who's out and the link between social networks and thinking styles. We will also investigate tools used to capture the value of social networks.

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Name of event: Network4Networth: Choosing the Right Business Entity

Date and time: March 19, noon-1:30 p.m.

Place: Bellevue Chamber Offices, 302 Bellevue Square

Cost: $15 per person

Web site: www.bellevuechamber.org

Event phone: 425-213-1205

Description: Whether you are planning a new business, just starting out, or have been in business for a while, you need to know what type of business entity is right for your business. Learn the benefits and advantages of each type of business entity, get the information you need to choose which is right for you, and outline the steps needed to form your business entity.

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Name of event: IMC PNW March Consultants Roundtable

Date and time: March 19, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Place: Studio C, 13256 N.E. 20th St, Bellevue

Cost: $10 members, $15 nonmembers

Web site: www.imcpnw.org

Description: Bring your laptop and join us for a hands-on 90-minute social networking workshop. Come to either Section A at 10 a.m. or Section B at 2 p.m., with a lunch between the two sessions.

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Name of event: WritersUA Conference for Software User Assistance

Date and time: March 21-24

Place: Westin Seattle

Cost: Varies

Web site: http://www.writersua.com/ohc/index.html

Event phone: 206-405-0923

Description: The focus of the conference is on developing the best possible user experience for all types of software applications through well-designed interfaces and helpful and accessible support information.

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Name of event: The Most Important 20 Seconds of Your Presentation

Date and time: March 23, noon-1:30 p.m.

Place: Washington Athletic Club

Cost: $40 SMPS/SDA members; $55 nonmembers

Web site: www.smpsseattle.org

Event phone: sarahs@weinsteinau.com

Description: The Society for Design Administrators is joining the Society for Marketing Professional Services for a presentation by presentation skills expert Nancy Mueller. You will learn the three areas in which your listeners always judge you and how to excel in each; the four most common body language and vocal mistakes novice speakers make, and how to avoid them; and how to begin your presentation so that you immediately grab your listeners' attention and win them over from the start.

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Name of event: Bellevue Chamber 2010 Business Showcase

Date and time: March 23, 4-7 p.m.

Place: The Red Lion Hotel Bellevue, 11211 Main St., Bellevue

Cost: $10 admission; table top display, $200 members, $400 nonmembers

Web site: www.bellevuechamber.org

Event phone: 425-213-1205

Description: Connect with hundreds of business owners, professionals and consumers from across the Eastside and Puget Sound region. Meet new and potential customers and showcase your business.

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Name of event: Six Solutions for Sustainable Business

Date and time: March 23, 8:30 a.m.

Place: University of Washington Bothell

Cost: $180

Web site: http://www.apics-nw.org/index.aspx

Event phone: 425-468-6178

Description: Spend the day considering ways in which sustainability can benefit your company and your world. This one-day seminar covers essential topics every company needs to be considering today to prosper. The seminar leaders are Ron Sullivan, director of sustainability for the APICS Puget Sound Chapter, and Karl Ostrom, co-director of the Network for Business, Innovation, and Sustainability (NBIS).

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Name of event: 2010 Business Showcase

Date and time: March 23, 4-7 p.m.

Place: Red Lion Hotel, 11211 Main St., Bellevue

Cost: $10

Web site: www.bellevuechamber.org

Event phone: 425-213-1205

Description: Connect with hundreds of business owners, professionals, and consumers from across the Eastside and Puget Sound. Meet new and potential customers.

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Name of event: The Emergence of the Semantic Web: New Directions in Search and Information Discovery

Date and time: March 24, 5-8:30 p.m.

Place: Hyatt Regency, 900 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue

Cost: $40-$60

Web site: www.mitwa.org

Event phone: 425-771-4790

Description: While market leaders Google and Bing battle it out, new players are taking search into uncharted territory and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive in this exciting arena. Join us to explore the future of search technologies and information discovery.

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Name of event: 2010 Puget Sound BetterBricks Awards

Date and time: March 25, 5:15-7:30 p.m.

Place: SAM's Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901 Western Ave., Seattle

Cost: $45

Web site: www.betterbricks.com/awards

Event phone: 503-241-1124

Description: Honoring champions of green buildings in the Puget Sound. region

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Name of event: Women Business Owners Power Lunch

Date and time: March 25, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Place: Washington Athletic Club, 1325 6th Ave, Seattle

Cost: $45 members, $55 nonmembers before March 23; after, $65 for all

Web site: www.womenbusinessowners.org

Event phone: 206-575-3232

Description: The speakers are Karen Bryan, Seattle Storm CEO, and Dawn Trudeau, Seattle Storm Foundation president. Here's your opportunity to meet the leaders of our own Seattle Storm. Hear from two women who have built this successful business and brand.

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Name of event: Strategic Planning for Women Business Owners

Date and time: March 25, 9:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Place: Columbia Tower Club, Seattle

Cost: $699 to $1299

Web site: http://www.BusinessAndMarketingPlan.com

Event phone: 425-440-9659

Description: Walk in with your laptop, leave with a solid draft of your plan (vision, mission, goals, strategies and action plans).

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Name of event: Financial Executives International (FEI) March Meeting

Date and time: March 25; 4:30 p.m. professional development session, 5:30 p.m. social, 6:15 p.m. dinner

Place: Washington Athletic Club

Web site: www.financialexecutives.org

Event phone: 425-562-2636

Description: The dinner meeting speaker will be Paul Thelen, founder, chairman, and chief strategy officer of Big Fish Games. The professional development program will focus on the "Do's and Don'ts of Facility Relocations and Lease Renewals" presented by Sean Barnes and Phillip Wood of Jones LaSalle.

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Name of event: Options Trading Workshop

Date and time: March 27, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Place: Foster Links Golf Course

Cost: $25

Event phone: 206-782-8113

Description: Jim Bittman, senior instructor for the CBOE, will discuss two specific stock-picking techniques, using implied volatility to estimate stock price ranges; iron condors — choosing strike prices and managing positions; trading ratio spreads, cross-index spreads, and one approach to a monthly trading plan. This is an educational program, no products or services are for sale.

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Name of event: Investing for Income

Date and time: March 27, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Place: Community Center at Mercer View

Cost: $20 (with box lunch $30)

Web site: www.AAII.COM (Local Chapters Washington)

Event phone: 206-782-8113

Description: Are options risky or conservative? Good or bad? Is it right or wrong for you? Come hear Jim Bittman discuss basic option concepts, why they add value for investors and what you need to know to get started.

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Name of event: The 10 Type Commandments: Avoiding Typographic Sin

Date and time: March 31, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Place: Pyramid Ale House

Cost: $25-$47

Web site: www.seattleguild.org

Description: What separates good typography from bad typography? Learn how you can apply 10 rules to save your work from eternal damnation. This workshop will cover core knowledge that every designer should know and includes practical tips and solutions to common typographic problems. Along the way we'll cover more advanced topics and suggestions that can make your work look better

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Name of event: The Puget Sound Referral Network

Date and time: April 2, 11:30 a.m.

Place: The Wedgwood Broiler, 8230 35th Ave. N.E.

Cost: Price of lunch

Event phone: 425-772-5332

Description: The Puget Sound Business Referral Network is a group of 30 local businesses that meet every three weeks to share referrals and ideas to help each other develop and grow business. There are no membership fees or dues.

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Name of event: eWomenNetwork "Accelerated Networking" Luncheon

Date and time: April 6, 10:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

Place: Harborside on Lake Union

Cost: $42.95 members; $55 nonmembers; $65 for everyone beginning April 2

Web site: http://www.thesavvynetworker.com/Seattle_Events_and_Info.html

Event phone: 425-444-5063

Description: Speaker Jennifer Jefferies is a life balancing expert ... She has traveled the road to corporate burnout where she decided to change her life and help others to learn what she did about the importance and benefits of living a life in balance.

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Name of event: Better Business Lunch

Date and time: April 6, noon-1:30 p.m.

Place: Tower Building Conference Room, 1809 7th Ave., Suite 403 (corner of 7th and Olive)

Cost: $25 ($20 if register online by April 4)

Web site: SpiritualLiving.org (go to "classes/retreats" tab)

Event phone: 206-527-8801, ext. 205

Description: Power up your business efforts with Universal Principles for success. In April, learn some tools for "Correcting the Course." Like sailing, business is a journey of making continual adjustments to fulfill intentions. Come join others in sharing insights, challenges and successes as we enjoy lunch together and spiritual support.

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Name of event: IMC PNW April Breakfast Event

Date and time: April 7, 7-9 a.m.

Place: Maggiano's of Bellevue

Cost: $25 members, $35 nonmembers with advance registration

Web site: www.imcpnw.org

Description: The focus of this event is "Inside the Business Journal," how to profit from the paper and book of lists. Come join other professional consultants from the Pacific Northwest and get tips on how to grow your practice.

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Name of event: Free SBA Seminar at First Heritage Bank

Date and time: April 7, 7-8:15 p.m.

Place: First Heritage Bank, 19500 Highway 2, Monroe

Cost: Free

Web site: http://firstheritage.net/

Event phone: 360-568-0536

Description: Learn the advantages of choosing a SBA (Small Business Administration) loan and how to qualify and obtain a loan. Also includes information on other free business counseling services. Conducted by Christine Heckert, senior vice president of FHB's SBA Loan Dept. Seating is limited.

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Name of event: BFMA presents Variable Data Presentation: Customization and Personalization

Date and time: April 8, 5:15-7 p.m.

Place: PSE headquarters; 10885 N.E. 4th St., Bellevue

Cost: $20 members; $25 nonmembers

E-mail: RSVP by e-mailing Bonnie.Harper@PREMERA.com

Description: Research shows that personalization improves return rates and enhances the user experience. As a result, personalized service is becoming more important and common in the market. And, often, time is short to produce the materials. Several methods used to accomplish customization and personalization at Standard Insurance will be presented, including both desktop and print shop methods

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Name of event: Women's Wealth Book Club

Date and time: April 8, 6-8 p.m.

Place: Columbia Tower Club, Seattle

Cost: $15

Web site: http://www.elevatingyourbusiness.com/WWBC/CTC.html

Description: WWBC's purpose is to bring high-achieving women together in discussion, learning and networking. Our members are professionals, executives and business owners who are lifelong learners.

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Name of event: Washington's Innovation Summit 2010

Date and time: April 9, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Place: Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center

Cost: $150-230. Luncheon only, $50

Web site: watechcenter.org/summit.

Event phone: 206-685-1920

Description: Sustaining a world-class economy through innovation and industry development is a collaborative effort. As part of this effort, Washington's Innovation Summit 2010 will bring together the region's leading companies and thought leaders for a full day devoted to accelerating creativity and innovation.

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Name of event: PSBJ BizMix

Date and time: April 14, 4-6 p.m.

Place: The Terraces at Skyline, 715 Ninth Ave., Seattle,

Cost: $20 for subscribers, $89 for nonsubscribers (includes 1-year subscription)

Web site: http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/event/20591

Event phone: 206-876-5457

Description: Please join the Puget Sound Business Journal for our Biz Mix networking event. Mix and mingle with other professionals in the Puget Sound area. This is a great opportunity to network, pass out your business cards, and enjoy the company of Puget Sound business professionals.

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Name of event: eWomen Network Accelerated Networking Luncheon

Date and time: April 15, 10:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

Place: Maggiano's Little Italy

Cost: $42.95 members; $55 nonmembers; $65 for everyone beginning April 12

Web site: http://www.thesavvynetworker.com/Bellevue_Events_and_Info.html

Event phone: 425-444-5063

Description: Speaker Caterina Rando discusses "Seven Innovative Strategies to Make Your Business Thrive." This session is for entrepreneurs who want to leverage their time and maximize their operations and marketing efforts for a greater return in the form of new clients and new revenues. At this event you'll learn how to establish yourself as an expert to easily attract clients, understand the difference between a sales and marketing Web site and a value-based Web site, embrace the smartest strategy to explode your revenue that you can apply today, and discover how to create lucrative strategic alliances that expand your influence

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Name of event: IMC PNW April Consultant's Roundtable

Date and time: April 16, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Place: Mercer Island Community Center, 8236 S.E. 24th St., Mercer Island

Cost: $10 members; $15 nonmembers

Web site: www.imcpnw.org

Description: The topic at this brown bag discussion and networking event for professional consultants is "Outsource Services and Professional Extensions."

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Name of event: Voices That Matter: iPhone Developers Conference

Date and time: April 24-25

Place: Bell Harbor International Conference Center

Cost: $495 until March 12; $695 after

Web site: www.voicesthatmatter.com/iphone2010

Event phone: 617-848-7026

Description: In less than two years, developers have leveraged the iPhone OS to create more than 100,000 applications, ranging from games to apps for medical imaging and social networking. The iPhone and iPod touch have breathed new life into application development, and have brought thousands of new developers to the Mac platform. Who doesn't want to be a part of this exciting and potentially lucrative world? This conference will bring together leading authors and experts with enthusiastic application developers.

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Name of event: Enjoy an Evening with the World's #1 Business Coach

Date and time: April 26, 6-9 p.m.

Place: Westin Hotel Seattle, 1900 5th Ave, Seattle

Cost: Free for business owners with promo code IMC000.

Web site: http://www.businessisboomingtour.com

Event phone: 206-352-0600

Description: Australian entrepreneur, author and business coach Brad Sugars, will explain why "Business is Booming" and how local business owners can lead the way. This workshop will provide you with the vision and drive to take your business to the next level, business strategies, confidence in yourself and your business, and the five most important metrics toward financial improvement. It's intended for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to learn simple, new ways of running their business and are passionate about improving their organizations.

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Name of event: IMC PNW Annual Thrive 2010 Conference

Date and time: May 5, 7 a.m.-noon

Place: Maggiano's of Bellevue

Cost: $100 by April 15, $125 after

Web site: www.imcpnw.org

Description: Start shaping your future instead of just waiting for it at "Thrive 2010: Vision for Success," IMC PNW Chapter's annual networking and professional development conference. The event features futurist Glen Hiemstra, who will be the keynote speaker.

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Name of event: Sweden Week Business Focus — Edays Special Edition 2010

Date and time: May 5-7, 7.30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Place: Seattle

Web site: www.swedenweek.org

Event phone: 206-340-9227

Description: The Sweden Week Business Focus — Edays Special Edition is a business-to-business matchmaking event held in conjunction with Sweden Week, May 3-9, and in cooperation with the Consulate of Sweden. It focuses on topics in and the current needs of Pacific Northwest industries working in sustainable development, medical technologies and global health, and mobility/information technology. This event will assemble entrepreneurs, CEOs, venture capitalists, keynote speakers, government officials and policymakers from both Sweden and the U.S. with an eye toward driving demand and opening new markets.

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Name of event: Women's Wealth Book Club

Date and time: May 13, 6-8 p.m.

Place: Columbia Tower Club, Seattle, 98104

Cost: $15

Web site: http://www.elevatingyourbusiness.com/WWBC/CTC.html

Description: WWBC's purpose is to bring high-achieving women together in discussion, learning and networking. Our members are professionals, executives and business owners who are lifelong learners.

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Name of event: Better Business Writing

Date and time: May 20, 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Place: Kirkland

Cost: $475

Web site: http://syntaxtraining.com/PDF/BBW_flyer_Kirkland_May_20_2010.pdf

Event phone: 206-782-8410

Description: This hands-on workshop in planning, writing and editing business documents provides strategies, tools and practice to enhance your skills as a business communicator. You will write, revise, get expert feedback and learn successful techniques to apply to any business message. Take-away tools include a 90-page manual, templates, tips booklets, and other job aids, along with 10 weeks of follow-up reinforcement. The session is offered by Lynn Gaertner-Johnston of Syntax Training.

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Name of event: Strategic Planning for Professional Services ... Simplified

Date and time: May 21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Place: Columbia Tower Club, Seattle

Cost: $999 to $1299

Web site: http://www.BusinessAndMarketingPlan.com

Event phone: 425-440-9659

Description: Walk in to this hands-on, interactive workshop with your laptop, and leave with a solid draft of a living, breathing one-year plan or a succession strategy, ready to immediately execute.

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Name of event: Society for Information Display (SID) Display Week 2010

Date and time: May 23-28

Place: Washington State Convention & Trade Center

Web site: www.sid2010.org

Description: This is an international gathering of scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and users in the electronic-display industry. The event provides access to a wide range of technology and applications from high-definition flat-panel displays to the latest in OLED displays, flexible displays, and large-area projection-display systems. This is where to find state-of-the-art information on image processing, systems software and display processor hardware, human factors and applied vision, and new applications such as multimedia and the electronic cinema.