The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UCF has planned several events to celebrate National Small Business Week May 20-26. Prior to the week-long celebration, the SBDC is hosting a luncheon and awards ceremony recognizing Small Business Administration Champions on May 15. The invitation-only event will feature remarks by CBA Interim Dean Foard Jones and SBDC Regional Director Eunice Choi. District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, will present awards to:

  • Teresa Jacobs, mayor, Orange County Government: 2012 Florida SBDC Network Regional Outstanding Resource Partner of the Year
  • Anthony (Tony) Ruben, managing director, Inflection Point Consulting: 2012 Florida SBDC Network Regional Volunteer of the Year
  • Joanne Jolin, vice president, Atlantic Coast Bank: 2012 Florida Financial Services Champion of the Year
  • Dr. Kerry Giedd, president, Eola Eyes: 2012 Women in Business Champion of the Year
  • Neal Kimball, president, The Kimball Companies, LLC: 2012 Entrepreneurial Success Award

    • During National Small Business Week, the SBDC is hosting “Government Business Opportunities and Matchmaking,” a seminar/workshop aimed at helping local small businesses gain the knowledge and tools they need to pursue business opportunities with various government agencies as well as some of Central Florida’s largest corporations. The event is Wednesday, May 23, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Thursday, May 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held at the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Orlando Fashion Square Mall in Orlando.

    The two-day event is sponsored by Orange County Government. Cost is $45 fee for Orange County businesses and $95 for non-Orange County businesses. For more information, or to register, visit the SBDC website.