Greetings
Greetings from the Mayor
Join me, the San Francisco Small Business Commission, U.S. Small Business Administration,
Small Business Development Center and sponsors, as we kick-off National Small
Business Week 2008 here in San Francisco, May 12-17th.
San Francisco takes great pride in being home to many small and new startup
businesses whose new ideas, innovations and technologies have had a significant
impact on the greater community. Our city continues to be the ideal location
for many start-up business ventures because we recognize the small business
sector as being the backbone of San Francisco’s economic landscape.
I commend the 70,000 non-employer firms and 25,000 companies employing 1 to
20 individuals for their commitment in providing high quality retail and commercial
opportunities to our renowned diverse and multicultural neighborhoods. Our
city’s metropolitan setting and world-class culture continues to attract
business and convention travelers from all over the world. These savvy entrepreneurs
have consistently praised San Francisco for the multitude of commercial prospects
in import-export, manufacturing, entertainment, technology, retail, financial
services and the hospitality industry.
In our effort to better serve the small business community, I am pleased to announce the opening of the City’s first Small Business Assistance Center housed in the Office of Small Business to be located on the first floor of City Hall.
For more than 150 years, San Francisco has defined itself as the place to do
business. I salute our small business community for their part in the continued
growth of our city’s economic vitality.
Warmest Personal Regards,
Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom
Mayor,
San Francisco
Thank You, Sponsors!
The Executive Committee for Small Business Week 2008 would like to thank the sponsors whose tireless efforts and valuable contributions have made Small Business Week a success. Our presenting sponsor Wells Fargo Bank is represented by Carol Caspe and Ben Krugman. Wells Fargo Bank supports Small Business Week and the small business community by hosting a series of “Start Your Own Business” workshops throughout the city and in collaboration with the SBDC, LGBT, the Economic Development Office, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center and GGBA. They also support the Kick Off Celebration at City Hall and the After Hours Grand Expo presented by the Chamber of Commerce.
Microsoft is a Corporate Sponsor for Small Business Week and is represented by Suzanne Lavine. Microsoft supports the small business community by organizing an exciting small business conference called “A Day in the Life.” The conference will highlight speakers and focus on training in sales, marketing, internet business skills and financial software.
PG&E is also a Corporate Sponsor and is represented by Ezra Garrett who has worked with the “Green Team” to host an event called Small Business, Green Business. PG&E will host this event on Friday, May 16th at the Pacific Energy Center. The event includes seminars and workshops that focus on small business greening and fair trade followed by a Green Vendor Expo.
Cisco is a Turnkey Sponsor and is represented by Teresa Lopez and Heather Isaacson. They support our small businesses by hosting a series of workshops called “Business on the Go.” The workshops will focus on strategies that small business owners can implement in order to stay connected to their customers in today’s fast moving economy.
IBM is also a Turnkey Sponsor and is represented by Gwyneth Borden. Gwyneth would like to invite small business owners to log onto the SME Toolkit to help grow their businesses. Go to us.smetoolkit.org.
San Francisco icon Cliff House is also a sponsor. Ralph Burgin, General Manager, would like you to stop by and help them to celebrate their 100 year anniversary.
Golden Gate Disposal and Recycling is also a sponsor and invite you to check out their recycling programs at www.sfrecycling.com.
Visa is also a sponsor and is rolling out an exciting program in support of small businesses. Please visit their website for more details.