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We often spend a lot of time and energy around here touting the Vail Valley Partnership’s iconic events — the Vail Valley Business Forum, our spring and fall View from the Top customer service programs and our Annual Success Awards Gala, for example. So it wasn’t much of a surprise when one of our partners asked me, “Yeah so what do you do for the small businesses around here?”
Of course we all know there are no small businesses in America, just those that are emerging, but I know what he meant. Smaller businesses, often more so than large ones are challenged to grow with limited means. The Vail Valley Partnership, an emerging business itself, has a deep and intimate appreciation of that situation, so, although we don’t crow as loudly or as often as we should about them, we have created a valuable series of events and programs directly focused on aiding our partners in achieving their business development and brand development goals.
In the next few weeks our partners and those who join us during that period will have a variety of stimulating, provocative and interactive choices to help them achieve their goals and perhaps set loftier ones.
We begin with two after-hours business mixers — networking events that let partners meet and mingle in an informal environment to exchange contact information, enjoy some refreshments, adult beverages and meet our staff in fun locations throughout the valley.
The first mixer is Sept. 17 at Vail Mountain Coffee and Tea in Meadow Mountain Business Park in Minturn for our usual third-Wednesday-of-the-month event. It’s from 5-7 p.m. Bring your taste buds, I can smell the beans roasting from here.
Also, at the request of one of our new partners in Eagle, we’ve added a second mixer from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Colorado Business Bank on Chambers Avenue. I don’t think we’ll be able to smell the money, but I’m sure they’ve planned some great refreshments.
Next up, on Friday, Oct. 3, from 8:00-10:00 a.m., SPS will present a great program on J-1 visas for businesses looking for seasonal employees. The presentation is free and will be held at the Edwards Ambulance District on Edwards Village Road. It’s behind the post office, next to the fire station.
On Oct. 8, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., the Partnership debuts a brand new program at our offices at Traer Creek Plaza. “Ask the Experts” is a free, partners-only, event that will give as many attendees as can fit in our conference room (about 20), a chance to ask a talented panel of three experts questions in specific areas of business operations including contract law, accounting, insurance and other topics germane to running a small business. Watch our Web site (vailvalleypartnership.com) and our e-mail newsletter for specifics on the panel members and topics. One representative from each partner business may attend. Reservations are required, so call events coordinator Ruth Carlson, at 970-477-4001.
Finally, the Partnership’s extremely popular Leads Group will meet again, as it does the first Tuesday of every month, at our offices from 8-9 a.m. on October 7 to exchange hot information to benefit each other and keep the network pulsing with activity.
So, as I catch my breath and my associates keep the fires of commerce burning, I want my interrogator to know… we are, indeed Destination Success for businesses both gigantic and emerging. Hope to see you there.
Michael Kurz is president and CEO of the Vail Valley Partnership.
Of course we all know there are no small businesses in America, just those that are emerging, but I know what he meant. Smaller businesses, often more so than large ones are challenged to grow with limited means. The Vail Valley Partnership, an emerging business itself, has a deep and intimate appreciation of that situation, so, although we don’t crow as loudly or as often as we should about them, we have created a valuable series of events and programs directly focused on aiding our partners in achieving their business development and brand development goals.
In the next few weeks our partners and those who join us during that period will have a variety of stimulating, provocative and interactive choices to help them achieve their goals and perhaps set loftier ones.
We begin with two after-hours business mixers — networking events that let partners meet and mingle in an informal environment to exchange contact information, enjoy some refreshments, adult beverages and meet our staff in fun locations throughout the valley.
The first mixer is Sept. 17 at Vail Mountain Coffee and Tea in Meadow Mountain Business Park in Minturn for our usual third-Wednesday-of-the-month event. It’s from 5-7 p.m. Bring your taste buds, I can smell the beans roasting from here.
Also, at the request of one of our new partners in Eagle, we’ve added a second mixer from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Colorado Business Bank on Chambers Avenue. I don’t think we’ll be able to smell the money, but I’m sure they’ve planned some great refreshments.
Next up, on Friday, Oct. 3, from 8:00-10:00 a.m., SPS will present a great program on J-1 visas for businesses looking for seasonal employees. The presentation is free and will be held at the Edwards Ambulance District on Edwards Village Road. It’s behind the post office, next to the fire station.
On Oct. 8, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., the Partnership debuts a brand new program at our offices at Traer Creek Plaza. “Ask the Experts” is a free, partners-only, event that will give as many attendees as can fit in our conference room (about 20), a chance to ask a talented panel of three experts questions in specific areas of business operations including contract law, accounting, insurance and other topics germane to running a small business. Watch our Web site (vailvalleypartnership.com) and our e-mail newsletter for specifics on the panel members and topics. One representative from each partner business may attend. Reservations are required, so call events coordinator Ruth Carlson, at 970-477-4001.
Finally, the Partnership’s extremely popular Leads Group will meet again, as it does the first Tuesday of every month, at our offices from 8-9 a.m. on October 7 to exchange hot information to benefit each other and keep the network pulsing with activity.
So, as I catch my breath and my associates keep the fires of commerce burning, I want my interrogator to know… we are, indeed Destination Success for businesses both gigantic and emerging. Hope to see you there.
Michael Kurz is president and CEO of the Vail Valley Partnership.
