Technology

From: Mary Sullivan, Marketing Co-Chair, Pacific Northwest Clean Tech Open:

Cleantech Open Launches 2010 Pacific Northwest Competition

The 2010 Cleantech Open Competition for clean technology start-ups is underway, with several key dates approaching:

-- April 22, 2010 is the Early Bird Entry Deadline, after which the entry fee increases from $149 to $199 for students, and from $199 to $249 for professionals.

-- Those interested in entering should attend the Executive Summary Webinar, on May 4 from 4:00 to 6:00pm PDT. Click here to register. This briefing will answer questions and help contestants prepare their Executive Summary entries.

Last year, 12 Semifinalists were selected from 56 entrants. Three became regional winners. One, Hydrovolts of Seattle, won the prestigious National Sustainability Award. For information, contact MSullivan@cleantechopen.com.

Accounting

Tax Time!

If you are self-employed, be sure to check out the IRS website designed just for you: Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center.

This site answers many topics like how to work with independent contractors, filing the right forms, estimated tax, and choosing a preparer.

Human Resources

For First Time or New Employers!!

The Department of Labor and Industries is holding a free workshop for new businesses or businesses that are hiring for the first time. The workshop is scheduled for March 10 from 9:00 a.m. to noon (with refreshments!) and will be held at the Vancouver offices at 312 SE Stonemill Dr, Suite 120.

The workshop will cover employer’s rights and responsibilities and give an overview of the services L&I provides. It will also cover workplace safety and health requirements, claims management strategies, risk management, quarterly reporting requirements and wage-and-hour laws.

Specific questions about the workshop can be directed to Ron Langley, 360-902-4745, or smallbusiness@lni.wa.gov.

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Marketing

Gear up for Conventions!

In case you missed it, the State Democratic and Republican conventions selected Vancouver as the site for their gatherings. Here are quotes from the Convention and Visitor's Bureau for SW Washington's website:

"VANCOUVER SELECTED AS SITE OF THE 2010 DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION

VANCOUVER, Wash. – October 2, 2009 - Vancouver has been selected as the site of the 2010 Democratic State Convention to be held June 25 and 26, 2010. The convention is expected to draw as many as 2,100 attendees for the two day event.

VANCOUVER NAMED SITE OF THE 2010 REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION

VANCOUVER, Wash. – June 23, 2009 - Vancouver has been selected as the host city for the 2010 Republican State Convention to be held June 10 to June 12, 2010. This is the first time in the party’s 150 year history that the convention will be in Vancouver."

These could be great opportunities to sell SW Washington goods and services. Check with the Convention and Visitor's Bureau for more information.