Crain's Highlights SBAC Insurance Initiative, April 6th Tech Forum and March Happy Hour

March 29th, 2011

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Michael Flannery - Webb Flannery Group LLC

Eddie Reeves - Elite Deposition Services

Andrew Vass - New York Life Insurance & Technology 4 Humanity

Alan Gunn - Financial Solutions Advisory Group

Roderick Mortimer - Smooth Moves, Inc.

Stefania Aulicino - CapitalLinkUSA

Angela Loewen - Artemis Technology LLC

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Greetings!

The SBAC enters the Spring of 2011 with growing momentum. Indeed, this past year has proven that by coming together, we can take control our own destinies and have a strong voice in the matters impacting our businesses. The SBAC continues to wield the power of critical mass to lower our members' costs of doing business. Our focus on referrals has also paid dividends for many SBAC members.

Over the next several weeks, the SBAC's dance card includes our March Happy Hour, an educational forum focused on technology, an SBAC day in Springfield and numerous mini-meetings for our members. The SBAC has also forged new strategic partnerships which will provide our members with considerable savings.

Crain's Highlights SBAC Health Insurance Initiative

Crain's Business highlights the SBAC's efforts to procure affordable health insurance rates for our members in an article entitled, "Can group-buying cure small business' health care cost woes?"

The SBAC has been working with Arthur J. Gallagher on a health insurance initiative that would stabilize the costs of health insurance for our members. Through the power of critical mass, the SBAC will attempt to form a health insurance pool to further this goal. Here is one link from the forum Arthur J. Gallagher provided to SBAC members about the initiative: SBAC Health Insurance Forum. The remainder of the forum can be viewed on our website.

While the SBAC pushes forward with our health insurance initiative, we enthusiastically support Illinois House Bill 3236. This bill, championed by State Representative Karen May, would allow small businesses to create non-profit health insurance cooperatives to lower the cost of health insurance and stabilize rates.

The price of health insurance for many SBAC members is obscene. One way or the other, something must be done to address this incredible burden on small and medium size businesses. The SBAC is committed to doing all in our power to help.

SBAC Roundtable with Rep. Karen May and Rep. Daniel Biss

To read the complete article go to, "Can group-buying cure small businesses' health care cost woes?"

April Technology Forum

The SBAC's technology forum is just around the corner. Don't miss our April 6th forum , "How To Leverage The Use of Technology To Increase Profitability In Business." This will not be a theoretical seminar on emerging technology. Rather, our fantastic panel will focus on how to increase your profits and protect your business by using technology.

Below is the list of panelists and the topics they will be discussing. Topics will include affordable ways to create a database, optimizing search results, maximizing social media tools and using mobile applications for marketing.

Encryption - Victor Micelli
Benefits of A Database For Your Business - Mike Manning
Virtualization and Cloud Computing - Angela Loewen
Social Media Marketing - Brandon Lewin
Intelligent Mobile Applications - Joshua Black
Internet Marketing Strategies - Nikhil Torsekar

The forum will begin with breakfast and open networking at 8:00am. Here is the complete program for our forum.

8:00 - 8:30am Breakfast and Networking

8:30 - 8:45am Moderator Introduces Panelists

8:45 - 9:30am Panelist Presentation

9:30 - 10:15am Open Q&A Session

10:15 - 10:45am Coffee and Networking

To view the complete program with panelist bio's click on: How To Leverage The Use of Technology To Increase Profitability In Business.

For more details and to RSVP contact Blanca Campos at Blanca@SBACIL.org.

SBAC Happy Hour At Las Palmas This Thursday

Join SBAC members, and our guests, at Las Palmas for our next Happy Hour this Thursday, March 31st. Las Palmas, an SBAC member, will be serving fantastic appetizers, including flautas, nachos, quesadillas and guacamole. Complimentary beer, margaritas, and wine will also be served from 6-8p.m.

SBAC Happy Hours provide our members, and their guests, with an opportunity to meet, catch-up, and talk about their businesses. If you have not attended an after-hour event with us, we are confident you will enjoy Las Palmas and be introduced to many business owners and other professionals.

Photographs from past Happy Hours can be viewed here.

Date

March 31st

Time

6 - 8pm

Location

Las Palmas

474 Central Ave.

Highland Park, IL 60035

Please RSVP with Blanca at blanca@sbacil.org if you will be able to join us.

Announcements

SBAC Announces New Global Office Sharing Strategic Partnership With Servcorp

The SBAC is pleased to announce one of our newest Strategic Partners, Servcorp. Servcorp offers SBAC members use of their conference rooms and office space for free for the first use. SBAC members also receive a 10% discount on all Servcorp services.

Servcorp provides executive suites and virtual office space in Chicago and other cities around the world. With 22 office locations in 11 states within the United States, as well as global offices in 22 countries, Servcorp is a great resource for your office and meeting needs.

To benefit from this great partnership contact Angela Doemel to inquire about using Servcorp for your next business meeting.

With two downtown locations, Servcorp is sure to be able to accommodate all of the needs of SBAC members.

Contact Angela Doemel at (312) 803-0440 or adoemel@servcorp.com.

SBAC Welcomes Newly- Launched Chicago-Based Startup Bizy To Organization And All Of Their B-To-B Daily Deals
The SBAC is proud to welcome one of our newest members, Chicago-based startup business Bizy.

Started by Gary Slack and Lou Friedmann, Bizy focuses on connecting business sellers with small-business owners.

At launch, representative goods and services offered included an online payroll service, a van or light truck designed for small businesses, a hotel meeting or retreat facility, a "virtual" assistant, headsets, smartphones, janitorial services and more.

Learn About Bizy In:

SBAC Day In Springfield Planned For April 12th

Join SBAC members on Tuesday April 12th for our fist SBAC Day in Springfield. Members will be meeting with legislators to advocate on behalf of the three bills currently supported by the SBAC. We'll be in Springfield from 11am to 4:30pm. To join us or for further information, contact Blanca Campos at Blanca@sbacil.org.

Click here to view summary of bills supported by the SBAC.

SBAC Member Shalom Klein Of Jewish B2B Networking Inc. Interviewed By OpEdNews

Recently, OpEdNews interviewed SBAC member, Shalom Klein, in an article entitled, "Shalom Klein, the Networkers' Networker." The article featured the creation and growth of Jewish B2B, the largest Jewish networking organization in the metro-Chicago area.

To read the complete article and learn more about Jewish B2B Networking go to: Shalom Klein, the Networkers' Networker

SBAC Member Total Insurance Services, Inc. Ranked 10th Largest Commercial Insurance Broker By Crain's

The SBAC is happy to announce that Crain's Chicago Business reported that

Total Insurance Services, Inc.

is now ranked as the 10th largest Commercial Insurance Broker in Chicago!

Total Insurance Services would like to thank all of their clients who have helped them grow and welcome new clients to inquire as to what they can offer them.

To learn more go to Total Insurance Services, Inc.

All the best,

Elliot Richdarson

Small Business Advocacy Council