ThinkTEC Connect Now Monthly 

Starting in January 2010 the ThinkTEC Connect will become a monthly publication and will be showing off a new look for its readers.  The new layout will allow readers to enjoy a ThinkTEC member profile section as well as updated news from our region and articles of interest.  In order to make sure that ThinkTEC Connect readers stay connected as possible, when needed we send ThinkTEC Alerts regarding important local, regional and statewide knowledge based industry news.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Attend the Latin American Business Expo presented by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce 

According to a recent report from the Immigration Policy Center, businesses owned by Latinos and Asians in the state of South Carolina had combined revenues of $2.8 billion and provided over 20,000 jobs throughout the state in 2008.  The Center also reported that Latinos and Asians living in South Carolina had a combined purchasing power of $5.2 billion.

In 2007, immigrants make up 5.4% of the workforce in South Carolina. With this in mind, the Latin American Business Council (LABC) will host a Seminar and Expo on Thursday, December 10, that will educate attendees on the economic impact that Latin Americans and their businesses have on our region, and an opportunity to exhibit to this community.  The event will also provide Latin American and traditional business owners with an opportunity to network with industry experts during roundtable discussions to learn about expanding their market reach, financial and funding resources, outsourcing labor, cultural barriers, and government contracting.

The Latin American Business Expo offers the chance to learn more about the immense and rich multi-cultural community of business owners and entrepreneurs in our region looking for opportunities to expand their businesses and partnerships.  This is the best event in the region to showcase your business at a Latin American business event.

Latin American Business Council Fall Expo
Thursday, December 10
10 Storehouse Row, Noisette
2 – 6 p.m. 

Agenda:

Economic Impact of Immigration
David Hughes, Clemson University

Cultural Barriers                            
Eileen Chepenik, Trident Literacy
        
Small Business Resource Panel & Round Table Discussions

• 2010 Census
  Diana Salazar, US Census Bureau

• Entrepreneurial
  Mary Dickerson, FastTracSC
  Ram Dachepalli, SCORE

• Expanding Your Reach: Marketing to Latin American and Traditional Businesses
  Lisa De Armas, El Informador Spanish Language Newspaper

• I-9 Compliance
  Bridgette Beasley, The Citadel

• Outsourcing Labor
  Michael Lalich, Lowcountry Labor

• Small Business Resource Network and Funding
  Tom Lauria, Small Business Development Center
  Cindi Rourk, Charleston Citywide Local Development Corporation

Cost: $15 Chamber member, $30 non-member

To learn more about the Expo or the LABC, please contact Emily Brown at 843.805.3042 or ebrown@charlestonchamber.org.

Thank you to our Expo sponsors!

Title:

Premiere Media:

Premiere Food:

Diversity Initiative Sponsor:

Gold Sponsors:






Silver Sponsor:

State Farm Insurance Companies

Patron Sponsor:

Trident Workforce Investment Board (TWIB)

Registration Deadline Extended - 2010 Chamber Trip to China

The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce is offering a trip to China on March 6 - 14, 2010 and inviting you to join them for only $1,999 for members and $2,399 for non-members.  This extraordinary experience, "Gateway of Discovery to China," is available to anyone who would like to join in on the adventure.  There are only 75 seats available for this trip, and it will sell out quickly.

The Chamber is partnering with Citslinc, International, an organization working to promote positive economic growth in the realm of international trade with China that takes more than 60,000 Chamber travelers from across the United States each year to learn about China, its rich history and culture.

The nine-day, seven-night trip includes roundtrip airfare from John F. Kennedy International Airport to China, all hotel room night stays at four- and five-star hotels, three meals each day, deluxe bus tours, airport transportation within China, luggage handling, English-speaking tour guides, admission tickets and airport taxes during the length of the trip.

 A $300 non-refundable deposit is due upon reservation for each traveler.  Spaces will not be held under any circumstance without deposit due to the limited number of seats available.

To register or to learn more about the trip, contact Emily Brown at 843.805.3042 or ebrown@charlestonchamber.org. 

Full payment for the trip must be received by December 15, 2009. 

All travelers are required to have a current passport and Chinese visa for travel on this trip.

Third Annual C5ISR Government and Industry Conference

The Charleston Defense Contractors Association will host the third annual C5ISR Go Third Annual C5ISR Government and Industry Conference, “C5ISR Innovations, Initiatives, and Technology Insertion in Support of Global Netcentric Operations”.  The conference will be held at the Charleston Area Convention Center and Embassy Suites in North Charleston on December 1 – 4, 2009.

To learn more and to register, click here.

Windows 7 Launch Event

On Friday, December 11, the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) Charleston Chapter in association with Discovery Training Center, Dimension Data, and Integral Solutions, will host an event to educate attendees about the latest Microsoft desktop, server, and collaboration tools.  The event will be held at the North Charleston Convention Center from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Event topics will include:

• Windows 7

• Windows Server 2008 R2

• Exchange 2010

Continental breakfast will be served.

To register please contact rsvp@aitp-charleston.org.

AITP is proud to support the US Marine’s Toys for Tots program.  New unwrapped toys for donation will be accepted at this event.

Mark Your Calendar...

• January 20 - Commercialization of Technology Boot Camp

SC-Based 3D Systems Acquires AdvaTech
As reported by TechJournal South on Wednesday, November 25, 2009

3D Systems, (Nasdaq:TDSC), a company that makes 3D prototypes and working parts for a variety of industries, has acquired the assets of AdvaTech Manufacturing.

To read more, click here.
 

Upcoming FastTrac® Classes

FastTracSC, with programs all across the state, announces upcoming Entrepreneurial Training Programs. Join the network of hundreds of other South Carolina Entrepreneurs and get your business off the ground or take your existing business to new levels.

The FastTrac® Entrepreneurial Training courses, FastTrac® NewVenture, geared toward the budding entrepreneur, and FastTrac® GrowthVenture, geared toward entrepreneurs with existing businesses who want to take it to new levels, led by experienced facilitators in conjunction with mentor workshop leaders who are entrepreneurs with extensive company building, bootstrapping, and fund-raising experience. For more information visit www.fasttracsc.org or send an email to fasttrac@fasttracsc.org.

Click here for a full FastTracSC SCHEDULE.

 For more information and to register for classes visit www.fasttracsc.org for more information.
 

• December 3 - Homeland Security Task Force (3 p.m.)
• December 11 - Business Continuity Planning Council (9 a.m.)

For more information contact Jill Galmarini at jgalmarini@charlestonchamber.org. 

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