We are excited to officially launch our "Opportunities Forum" on the SBAC website.  This page is going to gain momentum and become a staple for folks who are looking  for sales, discounts, employees, new products and other opportunities.  SBAC members have already received their passwords and have started to post.  While other folks will be able to view the page and take advantage of the opportunities, only SBAC members will be able to post.

We will also be posting trivia and having other contests on the forum.  Winners will receive prizes, including gift certificates and other merchandise.

We have just posted Sting tickets on the Opportunities Forum for their sold out show at Ravinia. The first two SBAC members to win our contest will receive two lawn tickets for Sunday's show.

 

Our golf outing is only one week away and the number of players and sponsors continue to grow.  A hole-in-one can win you a 2010 Jeep Wrangler or a $250,000.00 sky-card from BlueStar Jets.  The SBAC golf outing will be held at Marriott's Crane's Landing golf course in Lincolnshire on July 23rd.

The format will be a scramble with a shotgun start.  Golf starts at 12:30pm.  Players will receive lunch, two drink tickets and many other amenities.  We will also be having a complimentary cocktail hour, sponsored by SBAC members DeMarco Sciaccotta, LLP and Therapeutic Kneads. 

Each golfer will receive gift certificates for golf apparel from Golf Galaxy, Golfsmith and Dick's Sporting Goods.  Each golfer will also receive a $500.00 voucher that would go towards a flight on BlueStar Jets.

Other prizes include: 

Hole Sponsors

 

We would to thank our hole sponsors.

For a complete listing of all the logos of our hole sponsors, look in the left-hand column of our newsletter.

You can also register for the golf outing online by clicking on this link: http://smallbusinessadvocacycouncil.org/form/sbac-golf-outing

 

General Sponsors

 

We would also like to thank our general sponsors:

 

Working Families Win

Join SBAC member Ben Head, and SBAC President Elliot Richardson, for a discussion on small business and promoting job growth with Working Families Win.  WFW, a non-profit and non-partisan organization, works to change the economy in favor of working families, provides education about economic decisions made in Washington and engages individuals through neighbor to neighbor communication.

This event will take place at the following place and time:

July 17, 2010 from

10:00am-12:00pm

Countryside Unitarian Universalist

1025 North Smith Street

Palatine, IL 60067-2603

(847)359-8440

 

To RSVP, contact Ben Head at (847)651-7916 or ben@wfwin.org.

Associated Bank Still Lending

Percy Haley, an SBAC member and Assistant Vice President at Associated Bank in Gurnee, has advised that Associated Bank is offering business loans starting at 4.99%.

Mr. Haley has explained, "We have had a lot of interest in the business real estate loan rate and, yes, we are still making loans.  We actually never stopped lending, although underwriting standards have increased."

Mr. Haley is interested in talking with folks who are refinancing a balloon note and looking for a great rate. Additionally, he is looking for ways to save or make money for his clients.  You can contact him at percival.haley@associatedbank.com or (224) 489-4085.

 

Marsha Casper Cook, Author And Literary Agent

Marsha Casper Cook is the author of six published books and 11 feature-length screenplays, a literary agent with 15 years of experience and the host of a radio talk show about the business of writing.

 

Among other works, Marsha has written three wonderful children's books, including the short stories "Snack Attack," "The Magical Leaping Lizard Potion" and the poetry collection "The Busy Bus."

 

Please visit Marsha's website at Michigan Avenue Media LLC for more information about her books and screen plays.  If you are thinking about writing a book, we encourage you to talk with Marsha via e-mail or call her at (847) 441-4271.

Dan Cook Interview On CNBC
SBAC member Dan Cook was recently interviewed on CNBC. Dan offered his analysis on the markets and the state of the U.S. economy.

To see the complete interview go to: http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232/?video=1543344599&play=1

The SBAC had another fantastic Happy Hour at Las Palmas last week.  Over eighty small business owners, executives and other professionals enjoyed refreshments, mingled and talked business.  Please click here to view photographs from our Happy Hour.