Small business is big business in the City and County of Denver, counting for approximately 83 percent of the total number of businesses in the Mile High City. To celebrate Small Business Week, the Denver Office of Economic Development is offering a number of free events to assist entrepreneurs and business owners with running a successful company.

Denver Business Assistance Center Open House
Monday, May 18 – Thursday, May 21
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building
201 W. Colfax Ave.
Since its inception in 2005, the Denver Business Assistance Center has helped nearly 14,000 individuals with doing business within the City and County of Denver. Learn more about how the center can help you navigate through licensing, permitting and regulatory issues while offering research tools and community resources to help with the successful start, growth and management of a small business.

How To Do Business With the City
Tuesday, May 19
9 – 11 a.m.
Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building
201 W. Colfax Ave., Room 4.F.6/4.G.2
Learn how your business can tap into business opportunities with the City and County of Denver. Panel discussion to include representatives from several areas of the City, including Denver International Airport, Contracts Administration, Purchasing (goods and services), City Attorney’s Office, Auditor’s Office and the Office of Economic Development.

The Economic Stimulus: What it Really Means for Small Business
Wednesday, May 20
9 – 11 a.m.
Johnson & Wales University, Jared Polis Auditorium,
College of Business, 1900 Olive St.
Offered by the Denver Metro SBDC and the Denver Office of Economic Development, this panel discussion will help business owners understand the truth about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and its impact on small businesses. Panel to include representatives from the Colorado Bankers Association, Colorado Office of Economic Development, Small Business Administration, Wells Fargo and the Denver Office of Economic Development.  Register Now.

Business Survival Forum
Thursday, May 21
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Colorado Community College System Lowry Campus, Lowry Conference Center, 1061 Akron Way
Advance registration is required by calling 720-913-1542.
During these tough times, learn what steps your business can take to survive and thrive. Join us for seminar presentations on Creative Marketing, Using Emotional Intelligence to Grow Your Business, Staffing Solutions and Greening Your Business. Luncheon to feature keynote speaker David O’Brien, CEO of the Business Catapult, a start-up software as a service company that connects investors and entrepreneurs.  Click here to see the agenda and speakers.

Employee Recruitment and Training Services
The Skills Clinic
Friday, May 22
9 a.m.  – 3:30 p.m.
* Colorado Community College System Lowry Campus, Lowry Conference Center, 1061 Akron Way
* Community College of Denver, South Classroom, 1111 W. Colfax Ave.
Did you know that the Office of Economic Development assists employers with their staff recruitment and training needs? Learn more about how the office can connect you with qualified employees, provide you with customized training opportunities and more.


In addition to the OED Sponsored events, small businesses are invited to attend these local events:

Rocky Mountain MicroFinance institute
"Exploring Business Ownership"
Tuesday, May 19
5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
Denver Public Library (Central), 2nd Floor Meeting Room
* Explore your ideas
* Find Your Focus
* Define Clear Action Steps
* Get Serious About Your Business.
Register at training@rmmfi.org or 720-941-5037

Mile High Business Alliance and Metro State Center for Innovation
"Partnering for a Thriving Economy"
Wednesday, May 20
6:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.
The Tivoli Center @ Auraria Campus
* Connect with Local Business Solutions
* Join the Growing Local Movement
Register Online at MHBA

7th Annual BALLE National Conference
Friday and Saturday, May 22 and 23
The 2009 conference of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) will be held in Denver, May 21-23, 2009. The event offers an opportunity to join with hundreds of entrepreneurs and community leaders to learn more about how to build local living economies. For more information, visit the BALLE website.   Save $50 on conference registration by using the discount code "DenverFirst" in your registration.

For more information on Denver Small Business Week call 720-913-1999.