23RD ANNUAL SMALL BUSINESS
CONFERENCE COMMENCES JANUARY 13

The 23rd Annual SmalI Business Hawaii business and economic conference, the first major forum for the New Year, will be held Wednesday, January 13, in the Ala Moana Hotel, from 7:30 a.m. till 1:30 pm.

The Conference theme is, "Small Business '99: Four More Years-The Future Role of Small Business in Hawaii." Hawaii's small business community is committed to making changes despite continuing negative business and political indicators. The Annual Conference will bring together several hundred business owners to focus on solutions to business and political issues facing the state.

Former Maui Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle will be the luncheon keynote speaker. She will discuss the conference theme-and her future plans.

A bi-partisan panel of State Legislative leaders will discuss Hawaii's business climate and prospects for changes during the '99 Legislative Session which begins a week later.

Several successful small business owners will discuss their secrets to survival and prosperity in Hawaii's hostile business climate.

Other topics include: "The Hawaii Revolution Will be Delayed;" "Privatization NOW!" "Y2K and the Impact on Small Business," and "Effective Marketing Strategies for '99."

Small Business Hawaii will also present its annual business awards, including the SBH Small Business Person of the Year-1998.

The public is welcome. Advance paid reservations are required. Call SBH at 396-1724 for a form and more information.

TAXES, ECONOMIC CLIMATE ON AGENDA
FOR 1999 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

The 20th State Legislature convenes Wednesday, January 20 at 10 am at the State Capitol.

After the hula, song and food at the colorful opening, lawmakers will get down to business. And business will be on the agenda. Most forecasts call for a worsening year economically-after 8 straight "bad" years. Changes hoped for in the '98 elections are unrealized in '99.

Maui's Joe Souki was replaced by Calvin Say of Oahu (Palolo) as Speaker. Democrats control the Hosue 39-12. Political infighting produced key Committee changes. A listing of new House and Senate committees follow this link.

The Senate presidency remains in the hands of Norman Mizuguchi who increased his power in the 23-2 Senate (Democrats/Republicans) after November 3. Mizuguchi allies also were rewarded with leadership positions, high profile committees and larger Capitol offices.

HAWAII CONGRESS ON SMALL BUSINESS RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD

The Hawaii Congress on Small Business received a Vision 2000 Model of Excellence Award at the nationwide Vision 2000: The States and Small Business Conference held December 9-10, in Washington, D.C. The Hawaii Congress on Small Business, planned and presented by an independent committee of small business people, provides an open forum for small business owners to develop proposals for legislative action. The resulting recommendations identify new and emerging issues facing the small business community and drive the development of strategies to encourage and strengthen small business in Hawaii.

The 1998 Hawaii Congress on Small Business was held on Oahu on Friday, September 25, after compiling recommendations from other counties. The top ten recommendations, led by a call for privatization of government services, will be presented to the Governor and the State legislators for consideration in the next session. The first Hawaii Congress on Small Business (HCSD) was held in 1995 and influenced the development and passage of the Hawaii Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act earlier this year. The Vision 2000 Model of Excellence Award given to the Hawaii group is for the State Small Business Conferences category.

"As a result of these congresses, our communities served by and serving small businesses should realize benefits like new jobs and economic growth," said Andrew K. Poepoe, Hawaii District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration. "These constructive efforts by our small businesses should be instrumental in changing our economy and improving the business climate. We must applaud their energy and commitment to our State. This recognition is well deserved."

The volunteer planning committee for the 1998 Congress was chaired by Tim Moore, Old Lahaina Lu'au on Maui, and Bette Tatum, state director for the National Foundation of Independent Business & Tatum Enterprises. Other committee members included Bill Bass, Judy Magin, Jim Proctor, Lynne Woods, William Wong, Laurie Yoshida, and Edward MacDowell. Administrative and logistical support was provided by Department of Business Economic Development, and Tourism and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Congress was represented at the Washington, D.C. awards presentation on December 9 by Tatum.

Winners of these national awards were selected from hundreds of nominations submitted to the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, which sponsored the awards program. The event was designed to showcase outstanding initiatives that advance small business programs and policies.

For more information about the conference and award winners visit the Vision 2000 home page at http://www.sba.gov/ADVO/vision.html or the Office of Advocacy's home page at http://www.sba.gov/ADVO/.

EXCITING CAREER OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE

Know of a secretary/receptionist/office manager looking for a job? SBH is looking for such a person and can provide a challenging high profile career opportunity in our 3-person office in Hawaii Kai.

Must be excellent communicator, "people-oriented," and creative self-starter, willing to accept maximum responsibility for projects and follow through. Should be interested in, and knowledgeable about, business in Hawaii.

Will train right person. Competitive salary and benefits, and advancement potential. Not your ordinary office job.

Interested? Mail or fax resume with salary and other requirements to the SBH office, Attention: President.

SBH, FRANCORP PLAN FRANCHISE SEMINAR

Small Business Hawaii and Francorp International will co-sponsor the 4th annual Hawaii franchising seminar. It will be held on Wednesday, February 24 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel from 9 am to 12 noon.

The seminar will cover all aspects of franchising including ways to franchise your own business. The cost is $145 per person. Call 1-800-372-6244 and ask for a franchise analyst.