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Volum e 3 February 20-27 Iss ue 7
March 2 Investor Update Breakfast to Feature Clockwork Home Services CEO, Polytechnical High School Project
 The EDC will hold an investor update breakfast at 7:45 a.m. Monday, March 2 at the Holiday Inn Lido Beach, 233 Ben Franklin Dr., Sarasota, Fla.
The breakfast will feature James Abrams, CEO and president, Clockwork Home Services, Inc. Abrams will speak about the company, its rapid growth and why they do business in Sarasota County.
Founded in 1998, the company establishes and builds nationally branded franchises for the home services contractor market, including Benjamin Franklin the Punctual Plumber® , One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® and Mister Sparky.
The breakfast will also feature a presentation by a team of Suncoast Polytechnical High School students.
The breakfast is sponsored by Keiser University. The cost is $20 for EDC investors, $30 for non-investors. Registration is available online or by calling 309-1200 ext. 103.
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
EDCs Host Export University 101 Seminar
Want to Boost Sales by Exporting? Learn about exporting grants? Come learn from the Experts! March 26, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Manatee Community College Lakewood Ranch, 7131 Professional Parkway, Sarasota, FL. The cost is $30 and includes lunch. [register]
This seminar is ideal for marketing and sales management and staff who deal with export operations, export compliance, purchasing, logistics, and anyone with responsibility for export functions. Individuals in companies who are doing exporting, but need to sharpen exporting skills and learn from practitioners with years of experience also should attend.
Topics will include:
-Begin to understand international logistics.
-U.S. Dept of Commerce and Enterprise Florida Tools and the Resources for Exporters.
-Understanding and Managing International Sales Orders
-Key Legal Issues and Export Regulations
Other workshops:
April 30-Export University 301: Exporting Financing Solutions
“Tap into International Finance Expertise”
May 13-Export University 201 Seminar
“Export Logistics Demystified”
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IN THE FUTURE
Film Office to Host Venice Mixer Feb. 23
The Sarasota County Film and Entertainment Office (SCFEO) will hold a networking mixer for film, television, media production professionals and community members on Monday, Feb. 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Venice campus of Manatee Community College (MCC), 8000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL.
The mixer will feature guest speaker and newly elected State Senator Nancy Detert, District 23, as well as a presentation by the video production students of MCC’s award-winning filmmaking program.
The SCFEO also will give a summary of its 2008 film, television and other media production activities, which infused more than a million dollars in first tier direct spending into Sarasota County’s economy.
Advance registration is $10 and includes hors d’oeuvres and door prizes. Admission is $12 at the door. For more information, call (941) 309-1200 ext. 104.
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PARTNER & INVESTOR NEWS 
AAF-Suncoast & atLarge, Inc. Presents
Untangling the Web: A four-part "Lunch and Learn"
Find out and translate your online marketing into meaningful business results. Whether you're a digital novice or Web expert, you will walk away with a new understanding, technique and plan for increasing online traffic and conversions.
Scheduled to begin in March and run through May, this 11:30am - 1:30pm series includes:
• March 27: How to Design for Search and Visitor Engagement
Use behavioral data and metrics to guide online design and strategy. This session will also identify common usability mis-steps as well as techniques that can help you reach your online marketing goals.
• April 17: Search Engine Optimization Fundamentals
• May 1: Building Your Search Engine Content Strategy
• May 15: Understanding & Leveraging Social Media Marketing
The cost is $35 per session for members and $40 per session for non-members.All Access Pass Members: $100 & Non-members: $130. The workshops will be held at the University of South Florida, Selby Auditorium, USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243. RSVP at info@aafsuncoast.com or (941) 365-9200 ext. 310.Want more details? Visit www.aafsuncoast.com.
Community Entrepreneur Opportunity Program Begins February 26
Entrepreneurs can learn how to start or grow their business through the Community Entrepreneur Opportunity (CEO), a program created as a goal of the Sarasota County/City of Sarasota Enterprise Zone Development Agency. This 12-week business training series is focused on business basics using the business plan as the framework. Classes will be held weekly on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. beginning on February 26 through March 19. CEO is administered by a partnership with the Suncoast Workforce Board, Inc. For more information, call the City of Sarasota Newtown Redevelopment Office, 941-373-7780.
Tampa Bay Technology Forum to hold 2009 Entrepreneur Boot Camp
Thinking about launching a new company? Think about attending the TBTF's 2009 Entrepreneur Boot Camp, Feb. 23-24 at Catalina Marketing Corporation, St. Petersburg. [register]
Post dot.com: The Coming of Age of Social Media
82DT and the Federal Communications Bar Association will host Post dot.com the Coming of Age of Social Media on Feb. 24, 5:00 p.m., Canvas Cafe, 239 South Links Ave., Sarasota . The panel discussion will feature legal and business issues facing social networking. Panelists include Kent Kirschner, Neighborhood America; Douglas Cherry, Esq. , Abel Band, Chartered; Suzanne Dameron, Aspire Green Branding and Social Marketing; Bill Jula, Fast Pitch and Amanda Eyer, atLarge, Inc. The cost is $25. [register]
Sotheby’s International Realty Grows Worldwide Network
Signature Sotheby’s International Realty recently announced it is part of a network that grew its office count by more than 10 percent in 2008, ending the year with 10,750 sales associates located in more than 500 offices in 39 countries and territories worldwide.
 Trade Leads from Enterprise Florida
Trade leads are provided by foreign companies interested in making direct purchases from Florida companies. If you wish to follow up on any of the leads listed in the link, you may contact the foreign company directly.
Please copy the International Office or Florida staff person that submitted the lead, which is included in the report. Please be sure to mention that you received this information from Enterprise Florida. [trade leads]
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The EDC of Sarasota County is the private, not-for-profit corporation leading the community’s economic development strategy to add high-wage jobs and diversify the local economy. The EDC provides business assistance to companies in Sarasota County and helps forge solutions to community challenges that affect quality of life. The EDC works in partnership with chambers of commerce, local governments and other organizations throughout the county and the region. For more information, visit the web site at www.edcsarasotacounty.com.
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