SBA and SCORE Buffalo Niagara to present 25th annual Straight Talk Conference

The U.S. Small Business Administration Buffalo District Office and the SCORE Buffalo Niagara Chapter will host Straight Talk 2022 on Saturday, June 18, at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. This is the 25th presentation of this program, which has attracted thousands of participants from Western New York over the years.

Organizers stated, “Straight Talk exposes entrepreneurs and small business owners to a robust amount of information and resources that can help them start or grow a small business.”

“As we turn the page on a once-in-a-generation pandemic, Straight Talk 2022 will help position small businesses to continue to be giants in our economy. While we’ve helped bridge opportunity gaps among Western New York entrepreneurs for 25 years, we are looking forward to introducing a new cohort of entrepreneurs to the Straight Talk program,” said SBA Buffalo District Director Franklin Sciortino.

Several hour-long seminars will reflect the ever-changing needs of the Western New York entrepreneurial community. Additionally, participants can obtain one-on-one business counseling, visit information booths, speak to representatives from local business resources, and network with other entrepreneurs and small business owners.

“Straight Talk 2022 marks 25 years of new beginnings for aspiring and established entrepreneurs and, although many things have changed since the beginning of the pandemic, the importance of small businesses to our nation’s economy has not,” said Phillip Smith, SCORE Buffalo Niagara Chapter chairman.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Cost of attendance is $25 on the day of the event; preregistration tickets are available for $20. Students with current/valid identification pay $10, and veterans attend for free with proof of veteran status. Registration fees include a continental breakfast and parking.

Registered attendants will automatically be scheduled for the “Business Basics” introductory seminar to learn about business plans and other foundations of growing a successful business. Participants can select two additional seminars from the following list:

“Boost Your Credit Score”

“Find Opportunities in Government Contracting”

“Financing Your Business”

“Social Media Marketing and E-Commerce”

“Navigating Your Business through Permits and Taxes”

“We Did It! You Can Too!” featuring a discussion by successful business owners

“Finding the Right Idea”

“Brand Building and Reputation Management”

Following the event, the Straight Talk Series will begin on June 21 for four sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Buffalo Erie Public Library in Buffalo. The Straight Talk Series provides additional information about starting, maintaining and growing a business. Attendance is free with registration to Straight Talk on June 18; otherwise, the cost is $5 per session.

For more information, call the SBA at 716-551-4301. To register online, visit www.wnystraighttalk.org.