8.1 (SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMY) SEE YOUR FUTURE "A VISION FOR WYOMING" Oct. 28


Come visualize the future of Wyoming with us as we explore future trends that enable sustainability while nurturing our entrepreneurs. The Small Business Development Center, UW College of Business, and the William D. Ruckelshaus Institute & the School of Environment and Natural Resources are sponsoring the SEE Your Future symposium on October 28, 2004 in Laramie, WY on the University of Wyoming campus.

SEE Your Future will engage participants, speakers, and panelists from across the state and nation about sustainability; how it impacts business practices, and its profit potential for businesses in Wyoming.

• Products and Services are produced and packaged using a minimal amount of materials and energy and are non-polluting
• Products are designed to be reused, recycled and reduce waste and its impact on the environment
• Eliminate harmful chemicals or hazards to human health or the environment
• Employees are valued and encouraged to use creativity and the work environment enhances efficiency
• Businesses respect and enhance their communities economically, socially, culturally, and physically.

SEE Your Future Symposium Speakers:

• John Renesch, author of Getting to the Better Future: A Matter of Conscious Choosing
• Michael Shuman, author of Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age
• Renee Moorefield, co-author of Driven By Wealth: The 7 Essentials for Healthy, Sustainable REsults in 21st Century Business and Leadership,
• Hillary Mizia with New Belgium Brewery

This event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., October 28 in the Union Ballroom on the campus of the University of Wyoming, Laramie.

Cost is $45 and registration and additional information is available on-line at: www.uwyo.edu/sbdc or by calling the SBDC State Office at 800-348-5194

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8.2 HOW TO WRITE GRANT PROPOSALS WORKSHOP OCT. 29 & 30


This two-day workshop is designed for small business concerns as well as county and non-profit personnel who are interested in writing grant proposals, have written grant proposals, or have assisted another person in grant proposal submission. This will be a hands-on intensive seminar.

The following topics will be discussed:


• Introduction to the Grant Process
• Getting Started - Pre-proposal Activities
• Determining the Funders
• Writing a Proposal
• Demonstrating Accountability
• Evaluating the Proposal, Submission, and Follow-up
• Implementing the Project

Come to the workshop with a RFP/solicitation/project in hand - either one you have begun or an idea for a proposal that you would like to complete. Each participant will receive a workbook that provides guidance through the proposal process and will begin to prepare their grant proposal.

Workshop Facilitator: Sheela Schermetzler
Before starting her own Resource Development Consulting business in March 2001, Sheela was the Administrative Grants Manager for Campbell County. Sheela has assisted the Campbell County departments in receiving grant funds totaling over eighteen million dollars. Sheela is also familiar and has assisted with SBIR proposals.

This workshop will be held in Gillette: Limited Enrollment
October 29 & 30, 8-5 pm (Lunch on your own from Noon to 1:00 pm)
Campbell County Cooperative Extension Powder River Room
1000 Douglas Hwy
FEE: $100 per person for the first person from an organization, and $75 for others from the same organization. This fee includes books and materials.
For detailed information or to register call 307-660-1811 or 307-761-2116.

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8.3 NATIONAL FALL SBIR CONFERENCE IN BOISE, ID NOVEMBER 1 - 4


Description: The National Science Foundation, in association with the Department of Defense and the Small Business Administration, and all 11 SBIR agencies is sponsoring this 2004 National Fall SBIR/STTR Conference.

Program Managers and representatives from all participating agencies will provide insight into how to work with their respective agencies and answer your own special questions during the one-on- one opportunities.

Who Should Attend: Sales and Marketing Professionals, Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, University Researchers with a business/entrepreneurial streak, Scientist seeking commercialization strategies, all small businesses in need of securing federal funding resources.

When & Where: Boise, ID November 1 - 4, 2004. The entire SBIR/STTR Conference and the Small Business Tech Expo will take place at the Boise Centre on the Grove at 9th and Front Streets.

Room blocks at three hotels in the Boise, Idaho downtown area have been reserved: the Grove Hotel, the Statehouse Inn, and the Owyhee Plaza Hotel. The Grove is located within a block of the Centre, the Statehouse is about a block away, and the Owyhee is about two blocks away.

To receive the special Conference hotel rates, be sure to specify that you are attending the SBIR CONFERENCE. ALL hotels require a credit card guarantee. Cancellation policies may vary. Be sure and check with the hotel of your choice.

The Advance Full Conference Registration fee, received by Oct. 11th, is $350, after Oct. 11th and On-Site will be $425.

All information including the agenda are now available at the conference SBIRWorld web site at www.sbirworld.com/boise

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8.4 CO-OP AMERICAS' GREEN BUSINESS CONFERENCE, November 3-5 in San Francisco


Immerse yourself in the green business revolution at this hands-on conference. Join the conversation with other pioneers in the progressive business movement. Learn from your peers in this value-packed three-day event as you discuss the many ways to build your business and a proprerous, sustainable economy.

Ramada Plaza Hotel International, San Francisco
November 3 - 5
$395 - $495
Details available on-line: www.coopamerican.biz

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8.5 AG TECHNOLOGY SHOW SEEKS AG INVENTORS


BILLINGS, MT -- Ag Inventors can now sign up for the 3rd Annual Ag Inventors Contest to be held during the Ag Technology Show January 13 - 15, 2005 in Billings, Montana at the Holiday Inn Trade Center. The contest is open to inventors who have an idea, an innovation or an invention that has a farm and or ranch application, and is commercially viable and original.

There is no cost to enter and the deadline for entry to the contest is December 3, 2004. "A jury committee will select 7 finalists out of all of the entries submitted to the show organizers. The inventor finalists will be invited to display their idea or invention at the three day tradeshow free of charge," said Cynthia Berst, tradeshow producer. "A panel of 5 judges will select the $1,000 Top Inventor Award and show attendees can vote for their favorite inventor for the People's Choice Award."

Berst is hosting the Ag Inventors Contest during the Ag Technology Show, a regional farm & ranch tradeshow, because of the valuable exposure for the inventors. "The contest finalists gain tremendous access to manufacturing and marketing companies and to the various government agencies that assist them how to turn their innovation into a viable business." said Berst.

The winners of the Ag Inventors Contest 2004 were Fred Davison of Highwood, MT who won the $1,000 Top Inventor Award for his E-Z Reach Gate Winch. The People's Choice Award was given to Kent Granmoe of Glendive, MT for his Hydraulic Pressure Relief Tool. "The contestants came from all over Montana and Wyoming and all of them received great exposure with an article about the Ag Inventors Contest and their idea in their hometown newspapers," explained Berst about the benefits of contestants entering the contest.

A complete set of inventor rules and entry forms can be obtained by interested inventors by writing to Cynthia Berst, Bright Cat Productions, PO Box 20044, Billings, MT 59104-0044 or by calling (406) 855-5765 or by email brightcatproductions@yahoo.com.

"This is going to be another fantastic tradeshow and inventor's contest," said Berst. "Farmers, ranchers, exhibitors, attendees - everyone will have an opportunity to see the newest, latest and greatest innovations that are up and coming or already in the marketplace today at the tradeshow."

The Ag Technology Show 2005 is the place to be if you're in the farming and ranching community for both Ag buyer and seller. The show will be opening at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2005 and closing at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2005. Exhibitors and attendees come from a large regional area and both admission and parking are free.

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This competition tip first appeared in the June 23, 2000 issue of the Wyoming SBIR Newsletter. Follow this link to a complete set of Competition Tips.

TO BE ADDED TO OR REMOVED FROM THE DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR THIS NEWSLETTER, SEND NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, AND EMAIL ADDRESS TO jillkline@vcn.com.

Prepared by: Jill Kline, WSSI Outreach Coordinator, 307.682.2660 or toll free in Wyoming, 866.703.3280, jillkline@vcn.com, and Gene Watson, WSSI Program Manager, 307.742.7162, ewatson@wyoming.com.