In addition to the educational sessions and workshops at the Small Business Survival Summit, there will be several networking opportunities for conference attendees to mingle with like minded small business owners like themselves. Several of these networking opportunities will also be acting as fundraisers for local nonprofit organizations as well!

We will be kicking off the Networking Opportunities with a very special VIP Reception at The Havana Club, in Baltimore!

The Havana Club is Baltimore's hottest upscale nightclub offering a beautifully-appointed intimate setting with rich leather sofas and chairs, private seating sections, state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, and extensive wine and cigar lists.

We will be featuring heavy hors d'oeuvres from Ruth's Chris Steak House and an open bar for our Conference and Diamond Sponsors.

Event Details:

When: Wednesday, September 7th, 2010
Time: 6:00PM - 7:30PM
Location: The Havana Club in Baltimore
Open to Conference & Diamond Sponsors Only

 

After Wednesday's sessions, we will be co-hosting a Networking Cocktail Hour in the vendor area with the True Housewives Networking Group!

True Housewives is a collaborative effort between local businesses, non-profit organizations and consumers to rejuvenate our local economy. Through education and advocacy, we help our members discover the best local businesses in their community. We’re more than traditional housewives; we’re single, married or divorced women and men of all ages connecting for professional and personal development.

During this time, attendees can network with fellow small business owners as well as the vendors attending the conference. Don't forget to bring your passports, as this will be an excellent opportunity to get it stamped by vendors so that you can enter to win our "Small Business Makeover"!

Event Details:

When: Thursday, September 8th, 2010
Time: 5:45PM - 7:00PM
Location: Vendor Area at The Small Business Survival Summit (at the Baltimore Convention Center)

 

Following Thursday's Networking Cocktail Hour, we will be hosting the Small Business Survival Summit Gala - a fundraising event for the Maryland Children's Alliance.

The Maryland Children's Alliance is a non-profit organization created to better serve abused and neglected children by giving them a voice and by encouraging healing. Their goal is to support jurisdictions that are seeking to develop interdisciplinary teams and establish new Child Advocacy Centers while also enhancing the services available at existing Centers.

The Gala will be an event to remember, featuring delicious food, an open bar, and a DJ so that you can unwind after a day filled with educational sessions in style.

Event Details:

When: Thursday, September 8th, 2010
Time: 7:00PM - 10:00PM
Speaker: Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D
Location: Baltimore Convention Center
Cost: $85 per person

Gala Speaker: Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D., had a childhood dream of becoming a physician.  Growing up in a single parent home and being challenged by dire poverty, poor grades, a horrible temper and low self-esteem appeared to preclude the realization of that dream, until his mother, with only a third-grade education, challenged her sons to strive for excellence. Young Ben persevered and today is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center for over a quarter of a century.  He became the inaugural recipient of a professorship dedicated in his name in May, 2008.  He is now the Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D. and Dr. Evelyn Spiro, R.N. Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery. Some career highlights include the first and only successful separation of craniopagus (Siamese) twins joined at the back of the head in 1987, the first completely successful separation of type-2 vertical craniopagus twins in 1997 in South Africa and the first successful placement of an intrauterine shunt for a hydrocephalic twin. Although he has been involved in many newsworthy operations, he feels that every case is noteworthy- deserving of maximum attention.  He is interested in all aspects of pediatric neurosurgery and has a special interest in trigeminal neuralgia (a severe facial pain condition) in adults.

Carson holds more than 60 honorary doctorate degrees.  He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, the Horatio Alger Society of Distinguished Americans and many other prestigious organizations.  He sits on the board of directors of numerous organizations, including Kellogg Company, Costco Wholesale Corporation, the Academy of Achievement and is an Emeritus Fellow of the Yale Corporation, the governing body of Yale University.  He was appointed in 2004 by President George W. Bush to serve on the President's Council on Bioethics.  He is a highly regarded motivational speaker who has addressed various audiences from school systems and civic groups to corporations and the President's National Prayer Breakfast.

In 2001, Carson was named by CNN and TIME magazine as one of the nation's 20 foremost physicians and scientists.  That same year, he was selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 "Living Legends" on the occasion of its 200th anniversary.  He is also the recipient of the 2006 Spingarn Medal which is the highest honor bestowed by the NAACP.  In February, 2008, Carson was presented with the Ford's Theatre Lincoln Medal by President Bush at the White House.  In June, 2008, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the President, which is the highest civilian honor in the land.  Carson was recognized in November, 2008 by U.S. News & World Report and Harvard's Center for Public Leadership, as one of "America's Best Leaders." 

On February 7, 2009, the movie entitled "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story" premiered on TNT and is based on his memoir.  The movie was nominated in January, 2010 for "Best Picture Made for Television" during the Critics Choice Awards.  "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story" was the winner of the Epiphany Prize for "Best Television Movie" during the 2010 Movieguide Faith & Values Awards in February.  In that same month during the 2010 NAACP Image Awards, the movie won for "Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatic Special." Carson has literally received hundreds of other awards and recognitions during his distinguished career.

Carson is president and co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund, which recognizes young people of all backgrounds for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments.  The Fund is currently operating in 42 states and the District of Columbia, having awarded more than $ 4.3 million dollars to more than 4300 scholars.  The program also establishes Carson Reading Rooms to encourage young students and their families to discover the pleasure to be found in books and to recognize the true power of learning.  Carson is also the co-founder of Angels of the OR under the auspices of the Baltimore Community Foundation, which provides grant to assist neurosurgery patients with expenses not covered by insurance.

Topic: Think Big!

Ben Carson gives audiences an inspirational look at the philosophy that helped him meet life's obstacles and leap over them. He prescribes his personal formula for success. Carson demonstrates that maintaining discipline and exhibiting good character are at the core of true success on every level - while stressing the importance of using personal success to benefit others as well. This presentation can be customized to fit your audience's needs, focuses include: excellence and leadership, education, honesty and integrity, and community involvement on all levels.