Thursday, Jan. 19
North Shore Chamber of Commerce Professional Networking Reception, 5 to 7 p.m., Toscana's Ristorante & Cafe, Peabody. Network and meet with other leading firms' professionals. Event includes hors d'oeuvres, drinks and music. $15/members, $50/nonmembers. Register at www.northshorechamber.org or 978-774-8565.
Tuesday, Jan. 24
Big Results on a Small Budget, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Speaker: Don Kaplan, president of Kaplan Marketing, will discuss how to develop and implement a sound marketing strategy and tactics; understanding the advantages, disadvantages and principal techniques of different marketing media; and testing and improving results to solve marketing issues creatively. Free. Register at www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 25
North Shore Technology Council: The History of Our Economic Future, 7 to 9 p.m., Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliott St., Danvers. Learn what to expect in the investment and financial markets for 2012. Speaker: Robert Gough, economist, educator, on-air personality, president and CEO of G-enovation. Gough will look at the current realities of the U.S. economic landscape and discuss key options to ensure a happy ending. 7 a.m., networking and continental breakfast; 7:45 a.m., program begins. $25/NSTC members, $50/nonmembers. events@nstc.org.
Thursday, Jan. 26
The Business of Local Food, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Discussion on why families, restaurants, stores and businesses are increasingly buying their food locally. Learn the upsides and downsides and what the future of local food looks like. Speakers: Antonio Bettencourt, 62 on Wharf; Peter Mikedis, SideKim Foods; Pam Lombardini, Salem and Peabody farmers market manager; and Andrew Rogers, Green Meadows Farm. Free. Register at www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
Lunch and Leads, noon to 1:30 p.m., Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, Liberty Tree Mall, Danvers. Sample the menu of a Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce member restaurant. Meet and greet fellow chamber members. Come with 60-second "elevator pitch" and share information on business; registered attendees will be emailed the participant list with contact information. Speaker: Dr. Mugdal, Occupational Health Medicine, Sports Medicine North. $17/PACC members, $30/nonmembers. Register at pcc@peabodychamber.com.
Friday, Jan. 27
2012 North of Boston Business Plan Competition, applications accepted through Friday, Jan. 27. The competition is open to startups and established companies with a new product, service or growth strategy. Winners receive cash prizes. www.enterprisectr.org/bpc.
Wednesday, Feb. 1
North Shore Chamber of Commerce: Six-Minute Networking Program, 5 to 7 p.m., Finz Seafood and Grill, 76 Wharf St., Salem. Network and meet with other leading firms' professionals. Hors d'oeuvres, drinks and music. $25/members, $50/nonmembers. Register at www.northshorechamber.org or 978-774-8565.
Thursday, Feb. 2
Biz Expo 2012 & Networking Extravaganza, 4 to 8 p.m., Holiday Inn, 1 Newbury St., Peabody. Peabody Chamber, Wakefield Chamber and The Commerce Network will host a combination of trade-show booths, tabletop displays and networking reception; businesses can present their products of services one-on-one to a large audience of business decision-makers. Cost is $99 to be an exhibitor; admission to the expo and networking is free to the public. www.peabodychamber.com or 978-531-0384.
Tuesday, Feb. 7
Ten Tips for Raising Money in Tough Times, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Diane DeMarco, consultant at Executive Service Corps and principal at Consultants for Institutional Advancement, will discuss valuable practice steps that can be taken to hone fundraising skills and position an organization for sustainable success. Free. Register at www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
Wednesday, Feb. 8
North Shore Chamber of Commerce: Executive Breakfast Forum, 7:15 a.m., Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Square, Salem. Event features a talk by state Rep. Steven Walsh, chairman of Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. 7:15 a.m., networking; 8 to 9 a.m., program. $35/members, $55/potential members. Register at www.northshorechamber.org or 978-774-8565.
The Business of the Arts: Successful Self-Promotion, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Learn how to build a ré©sumé© and website, and how to get work out there and create visibility. Speaker: Robin Samiljan, artist and teacher, Montserrat College of Art. Free. www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
Thursday, Feb. 9
Financing Your Business: Do You Qualify?, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Learn from a banker and consultant how a lender looks at loan requests. Credit quality, cash flow and collateral are key. Presentation will focus on preparing an existing business or startup venture for financing; sources of capital will be discussed. Speaker: Jane Johnson, B2B CFO Inc. Free. www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
Beverly Business Awards Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliott St., Danvers. Beverly Chamber of Commerce's inaugural event will honor Beverly companies in selected categories. Speaker: Lou Imbriano, former vice president and chief marketing officer of the New England Patriots and president and CEO of TrinityOne. Business nominations are being accepted. $65 per person, includes dinner and autographed book. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Greater YMCA Scholarship Program. www.beverlychamber.com.
Homebased Businesswomen's Network Meeting, 6:45 p.m., Peabody Institute Library, 15 Sylvan St., Danvers. "Idea party" will spark creative thinking about solving business challenges; attendees are asked to bring their biggest business challenge, phrased as a question. Members and guests invited to enjoy informative evening program with networking opportunities. Free/HBN members, $10/guests at the door. www.h-b-n.org.
Toastmasters Club Meeting, 7 to 9 p.m., Brooksby Village, Renaissance Garden Room, Peabody. Be a guest and find out how speaking in front of a friendly, supportive group can be life-changing. 978-531-6071 or toastdave@comcast.net. Visit Backtalk Toastmasters Club on Facebook.
Friday, Feb. 10
North Shore Business Leads Group, 8 to 9:30 a.m., North Shore Chamber of Commerce boardroom, 5 Cherry Hill St., Suite 100, Danvers. Attendees can market their firm, give a two-minute commercial, share business cards and promotional materials, referrals, leads, and more. $25/members. Register at 978-774-8565.
Tuesday, Feb. 14
Foundational Elements for Growing Sales, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Learn the top five ways to boost revenues. Speaker: Lori Richardson of Score More Sales. Free. www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
Thursday, Feb. 16
128 Venture North Breakfast: Piranha Pond, 7:30 to 10 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Entrepreneurs seeking funding have a five-minute opportunity to persuade a panel of investors to invest in their company. Investors ask questions and provide feedback to presenters. $25 for entrepreneurs and management candidates, $35 for investors and service providers; includes breakfast buffet and informal networking. To present, visit www.piranhapond.com.
Thursday, Feb. 23
Toastmasters Club Meeting, 7 to 9 p.m., Brooksby Village, Renaissance Garden Room, Peabody. Be a guest and find out how speaking in front of a friendly, supportive group can be life-changing. 978-531-6071 or toastdave@comcast.net. Visit Backtalk Toastmasters Club on Facebook.
Tuesday, Feb. 28
The New Way to Network for Real Results, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Speaker: Gordon Curtis, executive coach and author of the book "Well Connected, An Unconventional Approach to Building Genuine Effective Business Relationships." Interactive presentation will provide insights and tools needed to create personal networking strategy. Free. www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
Thursday, March 1
Using Social Media For Sales, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Speaker: Jay Campbell, CEO of Strategic Social Consulting. Get tips for turning social media like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube into more powerful sales tools. Free. www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
Tuesday, March 6
2012 North Shore Business Expo, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., CoCo Key Hotel, 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers. The largest B2B expo north of Boston. More than 100 exhibit booths and 2,500 business leaders expected to attend. For booth reservations, sponsorship opportunities, or registration, call 978-774-8565.
Thursday, March 8
How to Write a Great Blog, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. An effective blog can help reach customers and boost business. Learn how to get started and how to blog better. Speaker: Jennifer Powell, founder of The Excellent Writers Group and author of "Small Business Matters" column in Saturday's Boston Herald. Free. www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
Tuesday, March 13
Email Marketing Panel, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Learn the best practices for creating an effective email marketing program, including list-building ideas and techniques, creating valuable content and varying offerings, reading metrics and creating targeted follow-up campaigns, integrating with social media marketing efforts, and creating new business, sales and success. Speaker: Corissa St. Laurent of Constant Contact New England, and Gregg Hanson of Net Atlantic, Inc. Free. www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
Thursday, March 15
Cloud Computing: What's It All About?, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Get a firsthand look inside "the cloud," and learn what it is, its advantages and disadvantages, providers, and other information about the next big information technology trend. Speaker: Lowell Gray, CEO of Shore.Net. Free. www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
Tuesday, March 20
Web Design 2012: Customer Focused Websites, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Learn how a company's brand messaging, target audience and calls to action can define the website design if done properly, or be used for a quick fix if a full redesign isn't possible. Free. Speaker: Michael Flint, owner and principal of Metropolis Creative. www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
Tuesday, March 27
New Technologies to Boost Your Business, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Enterprise Center, Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. New platforms and technologies are always emerging; learn how leveraging them can provide new tools for reaching customers and running a business. Find out if a different website is needed for smartphones, how the appliances and social media can connect with clients, and how to save money with smartphones and tablets. Speaker: Jane Bright, CEO of Brightwork. Free. www.EnterpriseCtr.org.
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