SBA to Honor Small Businesses at National Small Business Week May 20-22 in Washington, D.C.

SBA to Honor Small Businesses at National Small Business Week May 20-22 in Washington, D.C.

Event Features Awards, Forums and the Naming of National Small Business
Person of the Year – Events Open to the Public

Release Date: February 2, 2012
Contact: Dennis Byrne (202) 205-6567
Cecelia Taylor (202) 401-3059
Release Number: 12-05
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

WASHINGTON – The nation’s top entrepreneurs will be honored at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week events May 20-22 in Washington, D.C. A series of award ceremonies, small business events and educational forums will mark the 59th anniversary of the agency and the 49th annual proclamation of National Small Business Week.

National Small Business Week is cosponsored by the SCORE Association as well as numerous corporate and trade sponsors to be announced.

More than 100 outstanding small business owners from across the country will receive awards while gathering for three days at the city’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel. They will meet with top administration officials, congressional representatives and national business leaders. The highlight of the celebration will be the announcement of the National Small Business Person of the Year.

“Small business owners and employees across America are proving their resiliency as they continue to help drive economic recovery, economic growth and job creation,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “National Small Business Week gives us an opportunity to honor their achievements and the spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation and determination that makes them the engine of our economy and our nation’s economic recovery.”

Men and women also will be recognized for their involvement in disaster recovery, government contracting and their support for small businesses and entrepreneurship, and awards will be presented to SBA partners in financial and entrepreneurial development, including the year’s top SCORE Chapter, Small Business Development Center and Women’s Business Center.

Interested parties can register online at www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com where additional information (updated weekly) is available regarding registration, awards ceremonies, small business forums and educational and matchmaking sessions. The event also will be webcast live at the web site.