Smart is Sexy!

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

January 13, 2014

Smart is sexy as they say. The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, the Orange Chamber of Commerce, the Madison Chamber of Commerce, and the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce have opened registration for the 4th Annual Professional Development Conference scheduled for February 13th at Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center. If the quality of sponsors is an indication of the level of excitement then this is going to be a great event.

The conference is packed with some of the smartest subject matter experts. We have two keynote speakers this year. The first will kick off the conference with a blast of high tech know how for his presentation called SoLoMo. Ray Sidney-Smith will bring the latest in Social, Location, and Mobile technologies for business that even an adult can understand. This technology is here and our customers, consumers, and clients expect us to be savvy. This is an opportunity to sharpen what you do know. One of the most vulnerable blind spots in business is not knowing what you do not know. The convergence of Social, Location, and Mobile technologies enable dynamic opportunities for business. Clear your calendar and get ready to take your business to new screens.

 

 

 

The Mid-Day Keynote speaker is equally powerful and in perfect sync with the first speaker. We have invited Kim Weitkamp, world renowned story teller. It is not enough to know the in’s and out’s of technology. The world is interested in your story. Kim Weitkamp will inspire you to tell your organization’s story in powerful and unique ways.  I watched a few month’s ago as Ms. Weitkamp took a room of community leaders from a tired evening state-of-mind to emotional highs with her use of words and the art of storytelling. You will want as many of your associates as possible to join you to understand this unique skill.

In addition to the conference keynote speakers, we have invited subject matter experts to speak in sessions covering three tracks. The first track will focus on fundraising for Nonprofits. We have invited Kimbia - Fundraising Transformed to share their expertise about this critical subject for our nonprofits. In addition, we have invited The Foundation Center out of Washington DC to share the latest in grant seeking. Finally, we have assembled an all-star panel of fund raising experts that will share their insights. If you are a non-profit leader, a board member of a non-profit, or interested in networking with the best in local non-profits, this is the place to be.

The second track is for small business and yet is very applicable to nonprofits as well. We have invited the very knowledgeable Phyllis Katz, Attorney at Law, from the Richmond office of the mid-Atlantic firm Sands Anderson PC to share the latest insights in the ever evolving area of employment law. Chris Pearson, CPA at Yount, Hyde, & Barbour will lead a session on taking your business to the next level. Having spent time with Mr. Pearson recently on a trip to Richmond, I know that this a session will deliver.

Finally, The third track is focused on the latest in marketing. Small Business and Nonprofits will have access to the latest in marketing systems. Ray Sidney-Smith will lead another session and go in more depth on the mobile / social market. Two representatives from Constant Contact will lead sessions on supercharging your marketing with email and social media. K-Art & Design will offer key strategies in Branding Across Digital Platforms. Finally, Rev Builders will share expertise in search engine optimization.

Go to www.ProfessionalDevelopmentConference.com to register for the event. The fee is $75 and includes lunch and CEU’s from Germanna Community College. There is a $25 discount if you are a member of a local Chamber of Commerce. Contact your Chamber office for the coupon code to receive this savings at registration. In addition, if you are a Non-Profit affiliated with the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation - contact the NPCF office for a coupon code.

We offer a special thanks to our sponsors: Germanna Community College, The Small Business Development Center, Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, Culpeper Regional Health System, Culpeper Times, and Tyco Connectivity for their generous support.