| AIBA Events | See listing on right.
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| AIBA Partners | A special thank you to our partners who support AIBA and local business in Austin.
TacoDeli
Texas Coffee Traders
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Upcoming AIBA Events
Final CityBusiness Luncheon next Thursday!
CityBusiness: A four-luncheon series presented by AIBA and the Small Business Development Program designed to help you understand and navigate the departments and processes that regulate and assist you in your business. These topics were chosen from areas of interest voiced at the 2010 Small Local Business Summit. The Summit resulted in ElevateAustin, a program to address the challenges expressed by local business.
Who You Gonna Call?
Thur., October 27, 11:30-1:00
Nuevo Leon, 1501 E. 6th St.
Where to start? Who to call? Who does that? With 35 departments and 10,000 employees, the City of Austin is a complex organization. Finding the resource you need can be a challenge. Friendly and knowledgeable guides will provide you with an overview of how the City works and how to find what you need. The Small Business Development Program and Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) are partnering to provide local small business owners with beneficial information about everyday issues they face. This informal setting is ideal for sharing information. $20, includes lunch. Details. Click here to RSVP.
AIBA MIXER
Cruise Time! Thursday, November 3, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Capital Cruises
Join AIBA and ACGSA in a delightful cruise of mixing and mingling, great food and a brew or two. Details. RSVP.
AIBA LUNCHEON SERIES 
The Nuts and Bolts of Energy Savings - An Easy Walk Through of Your Work Space Thursday, November 10, 11:30-1:00
Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr. Almost every business in Austin can find ways to improve their bottom line through energy-savings. Austin Energy's Terry Moore will help you look at your work space with fresh eyes. Details. RSVP. $20 members, $25 nonmenbers. BREAKFAST WITH AIBA Managing Conflict Better in Your Business and Life through the Holidays and the Whole New Year Tuesday, November 15th, 8:45-10am
Lauterstein-Conway Massage School
4701-B Burnet Rd.
Though conflict is an inevitable part of life, during the holidays it often seems to increase. This session will help you understand the conflict cycle and five different approaches to conflict. Learn and practice the five steps in collaboration and you might just have a smoother, happier holiday season and a better 2012! Breakfast graciously provided by Tacodeli and Texas Coffee Traders. Free for members and prospective members.Deatils. RSVP. |
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AIBA Co-op Marketing Opportunity
with the Statesman
On Thursday, November 17, the Austin American-Statesman will publish a special section on shopping locally for the holidays and they have offered AIBA members very special rates for this section. This is a great opportunity to promote your business to a huge audience for a terrific price.
 The section is timed to launch AIBA's Shop Local for the Holidays program with Austin Unchained on November 19. Austin Unchained, a program begun by AIBA has now gone national to America Unchained. This year we will be expanding Austin Unchained to a series of events to encourage shopping locally throughout the holidays.
Stay tuned for more on our holiday plans but reserve your space now for the Statesman's special offer. Contact Andrea Vick, 912-5912. Details (pdf).
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 Along with Special Host Members
Auto Zone JCPenney Best Buy Company The Home Depot Cordially invite you to a complimentary luncheon reception
Special Presentation to State Representative Elliot Naishtat Vice Chairman Health Human Services Committee Member
Recipient of the TRA Leadership Award Thursday, November 17, 2011 Noon - 1:30 PM 303 Red RiverRSVP by November 11th or for additional information, please contact Stephanie Gibson 512-472-8261. Space is Limited. |
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Fall IndieAustin deadline extended until October 28
 We are currently working on the Fall IndieAustin and it's time to secure your space in this issue. Whether you are interested in an article about your business (also seen on IBuyAustin.com) or a display ad, now is the time to make sure your message is seen.
15,000 copies of the AIBA member magazine are distributed at more than 200 locations throughout Austin and are picked up quickly.
Don't miss out on this popular publication. Contact Donna Nelson today, 441-2123, to reserve your space now or for more information.
Make sure your membership is current to be included in IndieAustin. Join or renew by October 15.
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Big News for Small Businesses in Texas
 The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) responds to the training needs of Texas businesses that have fewer than 100 employees with the Skills for Small Business program. These employers are the backbone of Texas' business community - the state's more than 433,000 small employers. Training through the Skills for Small Business program increases business competitiveness, upgrades the skills of current employees and prepares newly hired employees for job requirements.
This exceptional opportunity is in conjunction with the Small Business Forums hosted by the Office of the Governor.
About Skills for Small Business * Emphasizes training newly hired employees - those who have been hired by the company up to three months prior to the date that TWC receives an application.
* Funds tuition and fees up to $1,450 per newly hired employee and up to $725 per incumbent employee. An individual employee can participate once per 12-month period.
* Funding for training is for full-time employees.
The Texas Workforce Commission provides equal access to all programs and activities. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Relay Texas: 1-800-735-2989 (TDD), 1-800-735-2988 (Voice. |
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Extreme Makeover Office Furniture Contest winner announced
 The winner of the Extreme Makeover Office Furniture Contest is The Austin Groups for the Elderly. The contest sponsored by Convenience Office Supply & Interior and The Hon Company was a great success with numerous Austin Area non-profit agencies entering the contest.
A special thanks goes out to the judges who worked through many applications to determine the finalist and the winner. The judges included; Chris Green with The Hon Company, Rebecca Melancon executive director with the Austin Independent Business Alliance, and Laura Murphy director of community relations with the State Supported Living Center.
The Austin Groups for the Elderly will receive over $ 20,000.00 in new Hon office furniture. The other finalist: National Association of Child Care Professionals and Travis Association for the Blind will receive over $ 13,000.00 in Hon furniture. The furniture for The Austin Groups for the Elderly was delivered and installed last week.
Karen Bogart, President of Convenience Office Supply & Interiors said "The contest was such a big success that we plan to work with The Hon Company again and have another Extreme Makeover Office Furniture Contest in 2012 for Austin Area non-profit organizations." Check out our web site at www.cosapromo.com for details early in 2012.
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Localism Index
Just in case you have any doubt about the vitality of locally owned, independent business in America. Average portion of $100 spent at a Target store that stays in the local economy: $16
Average portion of $100 spent at independent retailers that stays in the local economy: $32
*Source: www.newrules.org
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Get a FREE AIBA Member Banner
for Your Business
NEW! Tout your local independent status to customers inside and outside your business. Simply request a banner! Contact Rebecca at 441-2123.
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Please don't hesitate to contact me about anything regarding local business in Austin. I'm here to represent and support you.
Sincerely,
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Rebecca Melan�on
AIBA Executive Director
512-441-2123
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