SCORE to host two-day business conference

SCORE, a nonprofit association for small business owners, is hosting a free two-day conference aimed at helping Nevada’s entrepreneurs later this month.

The Doing Business in Nevada 2014 Conference is meant for business owners who would like to become more familiar with small business resources and for those looking for guidance to ensure long-term business stability.

New and potential business owners should expect direction on starting their business on the right path.

“It’s not an expo where people walk around and look at tables,” said Raj Tumber, a business counselor and mentor with SORCE. “It’s more of a question-and-answer format.”

Panelists include representatives from business license departments across Southern Nevada, the Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Small Business Administration, commercial lenders and various chambers of commerce.

Advance registration is required for the discussion-based panels.

Sessions are being held at the Clark County Commission Chamber, located at 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, on April 23 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Topics include registration and licensing updates, taxation, advisory resources, economic development and business incubation centers.

“People don’t know what the roles of economic development are exactly. They’re a hand-holding guide to small business owners,” Tumber said. “Licensing is kind of a confusing topic for many.”

Tumber, who is also moderating many of the discussions during the conference, said economic development representatives will be present from Clark County, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Mesquite.

A second day of sessions at the Las Vegas City Hall Council Chamber, located at 495 S. Main St., is set for April 30 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Topics include loans and lending processes with both banks and alternative sources, Small Business Administration loan guarantee programs and more.

SCORE is a national organization dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small businesses. The group was founded in 1964 and has helped more than eight million small businesses.

In Southern Nevada, the nonprofit has more than 40 counselors with experience and expertise in diverse industries including advertising, ice cream shops and venture capital.

SCORE counselors are available to help owners deal with specific business issues and can serve as mentors and trusted business advisers. The organization offers all counseling free of charge.

“It’s a resource that every business should know,” Tumber said.

You can register for the conference at www.askthepanel.org, and visit scorelv.org for more information about the Southern Nevada chapter of SCORE.

Contact Wesley Juhl at wjuhl@reviewjournal.com and 702-383-0381. Find him on Twitter: @WesJuhl.