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2011 Taking on the Business of Economic Recovery

Please join us for two days of professional development and advocacy… help bring the SBDC message to Sacramento!

**This event has passed**  March 15 &16, 2011 * Sacramento CA
Download the full invitation and agenda

Documents available for download from the event are located here.


Who:         Center Directors, Business Advisors or Enthusiastic SBDC Clients

Where:      Embassy Suites Riverfront Promenade, 100 Capitol Mall
Sacramento, CA 

When:       Tuesday and Wednesday March 15 & 16

Why:         This is an opportunity and learn from Sacramento insiders on the best practices for getting the attention of elected officials representing your region.  Find out more about what is currently happening at the Capitol and how your SBDC’s needs and successes can be used to shape future statewide economic development initiatives. 
Seasoned directors and staff will learn about new changes in the legislature, key players in the administration and receive the updated California SBDC message. Be a part of the collective California SBDC solution to engage in economic recovery.
 

Travel Arrangements

Our host is Embassy Suites Sacramento – Riverfront Promenade.  We have a group reservation scheduled to check in on March 14 and out on March 16 for $199 per night and includes a complimentary breakfast.  To register for our block of rooms, mention group name ‘California SBDC’ and group code ‘SBD’ and call 916.326.5000 or register online.  Room reservations MUST be made by February 21.

If you have any special dietary needs for the catered lunch (vegetarian, low salt, low sugar, etc.) please call Sandy Linville at 508.898.3857.
 

Itinerary

Tuesday, March 15th  
Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:30-9:00
Welcome, Introductions and Objectives 9:00
Legislative Briefing 10:00
Break 10:30
Legislation in Process 10:45
Panel: Effective Meetings with your Representatives 11:15
Lunch 12:00
Overview of Statewide Initiatives 1:00 
SBDC Legislative Message 2:00
Break 3:00
Identify Capitol Visits 3:30
Wrap Up 4:15
RECEPTION:  Hyatt Downtown, Capital View Room 6:00–7:30
   
Wednesday, March 16th  
Legislative Appointments 9:00 -5:00
    

Before you call your representative…

Assemble your success stories, research national and state job creation and business expansion information. Success stories will have a greater impact if you look for clients who are within the representative’s home town, are well known or may have an established relationship with the representative to maximize the impact of your connection. It’s helpful if you can check out their website, locate district offices and familiarize yourself with their interests. Find out if the representative has a personal small business background or small businesses owned by extended family members.

It’s all about jobs!

They are busy but don’t let your representative brush you off without taking the opportunity to tell them about the jobs you help create. Share the SBDC story, successes and special programs and bring a client if you can. Leave them with information and become their resource for regional small business and job creation.

Senators and Assembly Members (or staffers) that represent your local center’s territory.  This isn’t an unusual request.  They meet with folks all the time when different organizations and groups come to Sacramento. The focus is on educating them about our program and how the SBDC is a key part of CA’s economic recovery plan.  We are not coming to complain or lobby. 

Here is a current Excel list of legislative contacts

Also if you haven't already bookmarked this page: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html It is a great resource for quick representative information!

Example Legislative Script

You:  Hi, my name is [Joe Smith], and I am calling from the California Small Business Development Center program, specifically from the SBDC serving [Senator Rogers’] constituent. I would like to make an appointment to speak with [Senator Jane Rogers], or the appropriate staffer, regarding California SBDC’s recent and planned activities for supporting economic recovery.  I will be in Sacramento on March 16th.

Frequent questions and responses to prepare for from the person on the phone:

Question:  What does your organization do?

You: Describe your center and state your role in saving jobs and creating new ones.  (Hint: It would be helpful to be able to rattle off the number of jobs your center has created in the last three years as well as dollars in increased sales.)
  

  • Why do you want to meet with us?

You:  This is part of the California SBDC’s annual trip to Sacramento and I want to discuss how the California SBDC is able and has impacted economic recovery for in our region.
  

  • Could you send me something in an email?
    You:  I would be happy to follow up this call with an email request. Who do I send that to?

 

  • I recently talked to someone about the SBDC from the Community College Chancellors Office. Is this related?

You:  California SBDC has worked with the Chancellor’s Office in the past, however our outreach efforts to make elected officials aware of our program are separate. I believe it would be beneficial to meet with me, as I could share more specifics as to how this program specifically impacts [Senator Rogers’] constituents.