Strengthen your company with NCET’s Small Business Expo

Kate Marshall, former Lieutenant Governor of the State of Nevada

Some great news got lost in all the noise of 2020: Nevada saw the creation of more small businesses last year than ever before. Confident entrepreneurs continued to step up to build a brighter future in Nevada even during the pandemic.

Nevada depends on its small businesses. They account for more than 99 percent of the companies in our state, provide paychecks to more over 500,000 workers and continue to hire new employees at a rate that’s among the fastest in the nation.

Still, the economic rebound from the pandemic presents substantial challenges to owners — and potential owners — of small businesses.  Competition for skilled workers is fierce.  Global supply chains have been disrupted, and small businesses must navigate state, county, and municipal regulations, often without the assistance of human resource or legal teams.   The challenges of building a strong, resilient small business remain greater than ever.

Successful small business owners know they need the very best help and guidance — precisely the sort of help and guidance they’ll receive at the NCET Small Business Expo.

The 15th NCET Small Business Expo is scheduled for Friday, October 15, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Mt. Rose Ballroom of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno. Best of all, admission is free with a business card.

Through the years, the NCET Small Business Expo has connected tens of thousands of small-business owners with those who can help them grow. They’ve met with key government officials. They’ve made contacts with top providers of professional services.

This year, NCET expects that more than 1,000 small-business owners and developers, their employees, and aspiring business men and women will attend the day-long Expo. They’ll gain new insights and sharpen their skills in workshops led by some of the most-respected businesspeople in the region. Seminars on key facets of running a small business — from business plans and financial strategies to marketing, social media messaging and legal concerns — will provide attendees a rare opportunity to receive quality business guidance and advice without charge.

Meanwhile, more than 100 exhibitors at the NCET Small Business Expo will provide detailed, hands-on information about products and services to assist small-business owners and startup companies. Exhibitors range from business-oriented law firms, financial institutions and commercial real estate brokers to web service providers and advertising agencies.

Many participants value the NCET Small Business Expo for its informal opportunities for networking and one-on-one conversations. Those conversations can spark profitable new ideas, generate promising new relationships, or provide support to make an entrepreneurial idea a reality.

Before I became Nevada’s Lieutenant Governor, I was a small-business owner myself. I understand the power of a dream — and I understand the challenges small busines owners face every day.

Owners of Nevada’s small businesses bring many contributions to our entire state, and I applaud their hard work to build a better future for Nevada’s families and communities.

I applaud, too, NCET for the important support it provides Northern Nevada entrepreneurs.  I urge small business owners to take advantage of the many opportunities offered by NCET Small Business Expo.

Kate Marshall is the former Lieutenant Governor of the State of Nevada.