2024 Rural Business Expo Sessions

Putting the “X” Factor In Your Customer Service Earning customer loyalty is difficult - keeping it is critical Learn the essential skills you need to put that eXtra special sauce in your customer service TODAY! • Walk away with people skills you can use to anticipate customer needs and give them the service THEY want. Reduce your stress and keep your cool. • Learn how to increase team cohesiveness and collaboration to make your work environment a happier place for your employees and a better place to shop, eat and do business. Brought to you by Soul Canyon Training & Development Presenter: Mary Hambleton

Un plan de negocios es una estrategia documentada sobre los objetivos y planes de una empresa. Describe el plan de comercialización, proyecciones financieras, investigación de mercado, propósito comercial y la declaración de misión. También puede incluir el personal clave para lograr los objetivos y un cronograma.

We provide assistance in registering in Federal and State websites, show you how to find solicitations and market your business to federal, state, and local agencies.

In today's competitive business landscape, company culture isn't just a buzzword; it's a strategic advantage that can make or break small businesses. Join us for lively discussion into why cultivating a strong company culture is crucial for small businesses looking to thrive in the modern marketplace. Overview: In this class, we will dig into the fundamental aspects of company culture and its profound impact on the success and sustainability of small businesses. From earning buy in from employees to enhancing productivity and innovation, we will uncover how a positive company culture can create a supportive and dynamic workplace environment. Key Topics Covered: 1. Defining Company Culture: Understand what company culture truly encompasses and why it goes beyond superficial perks. 2. The Business Case for Culture: Explore compelling reasons why investing in company culture can lead to tangible business outcomes such as increased employee retention, improved customer satisfaction, and higher profitability. 3. Building a Positive Culture: Learn practical strategies and actionable steps to cultivate a positive company culture that aligns with your business values and objectives. 4. Navigating Challenges: Address common challenges and pitfalls in shaping company culture, especially in small business settings, and discuss effective solutions. This class is designed for small business owners, entrepreneurs, managers, and leaders who are eager to harness the power of company culture to drive business success. Whether you're starting a new venture or looking to revitalize your existing workplace environment, this class will provide you with valuable insights and practical strategies to create a thriving company culture.

Join Rural Grant Resources, Natalie Parker, for the 'All About Grants' workshop, where you will dive into the essentials of applying for, securing, and managing Federal, State, and local grants. This comprehensive session will guide you through the entire grant process, from identifying funding opportunities to mastering the intricacies of grant reporting and compliance. Whether you are new to grants or looking to enhance your skills, this workshop offers valuable insights to help you successfully navigate the world of grants. Expand your knowledge and boost your organization's funding potential by attending this workshop!

Artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionize your business. In this engaging workshop, you will learn how to utilize various AI tools to streamline business processes and boost productivity. From ideating social media content to drafting contracts, we will explore practical strategies and real-world examples of how AI can save you time and money. Get ready to transform your business and unlock the power of AI!

Join us at the Rural Business Expo for an enlightening panel discussion, 'Empowering Rural Entrepreneurs: Resources for Small Business Success.' This workshop will feature local experts from financial institutions, business incubators, advisory organizations, and more, all dedicated to helping small businesses thrive. Discover valuable insights, funding opportunities, marketing strategies, and advice tailored for rural entrepreneurs. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand, this session will provide the tools and knowledge you need to succeed. Don't miss this chance to connect with key resources and take your business to the next level!

Business is about trust, especially in a rural area. When your customers do business with you, they trust that you will keep their information secure. In a high tech world, businesses of every size must be proactive about implementing security measures that keep their business data and their customer’s information secure. In this session we’ll talk about: The fundamentals of keeping data secure (your business data and your customer’s information) The creative methods that bad actors use to access data Steps you and your team can take to be prepared for a cyber event

Join us for an insightful and dynamic presentation by On The Verge Consulting Firm Partners, CEO Jason Murray and C.R.O Marcio Nunes. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of technology and online presence in modern business. Jason Murray will start by addressing the importance of an online presence and branding for small business owners in Klamath County, exploring the reasons and benefits behind this crucial aspect of business strategy. Marcio Nunes will then delve into innovative and modern solutions to enhance brand recognition, offering practical strategies and actionable insights to help small businesses thrive in the digital age. “Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and tools to elevate your business’s online presence and brand.”

Klamath IDEA Talks are back! Our new season kicks off at the Rural Business Expo with some of Klamath’s most revered entrepreneurs! Over a half century ago, local entrepreneurs Don & Nancy Kucera started the ND Dairy south of Klamath Falls, peaking at 135 head of milking cattle. Among other products, ND Dairy’s Grade A Raw Milk was distributed to outlying areas including Medford, Bend, and Lakeview. In 1987 the Kuceras began a small pizza business in the Keno area. They moved that small pizza business to Klamath Falls in early 1988. As regulation of the dairy industry became burdensome, the Kuceras focused on the pizzeria and closed down their diary. That’s when their son Rod, who had begun investigating the micro-brew business in 1995, got the wild idea to convert the former dairy into a brewery, repurposing the dairy equipment and hardware to produce a dramatically different type of beverage. With several varieties of beer beginning to flow, it was only natural to pair it with the pizza the family was beginning to perfect. And so was the creation of Mia & Pia’s Pizzeria & Brewhouse in 1996. With his partner (in business and in life) Jodi, the next generation of entrepreneurs in the Kucera family began executing plans to expand even further with the introduction of tasty new brews and expanded food offerings. They have continued to innovate in a crowded market with reinforced branding as a family-friendly establishment (in fact, their entrepreneurial-minded kids Clint and Kelsey can often be found working at the parlor as well), the addition of people-connecting events such as live music and trivia, a growing catering schedule, and a rustic outdoor event venue right outside their brewery. In addition, with its solar system and continuous cadre of farm-raised cows and pigs that consume brewing by products, the brewery is celebrated by locals in agriculture as an example of sustainable production. Rod & Jodi have been steadily committed to their community as political advocates in the hospitality and agriculture industries, and both have served in leadership positions in local economic and community development groups. We are pleased to kick off the 2024/2025 IDEA Talks Season and cap off the 2024 Rural Business Expo with these Klamath-rooted entrepreneurs! Food and one non-alcoholic drink ticket is included in the $20 per person admission. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for networking and the IDEA Talk will start at 6:15 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Klamath IDEA is a community initiative committed to developing a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Klamath County to strengthen existing small businesses and innovators and inspire and support the emergence of new ones. In that effort, entrepreneurial-minded informative talks modeled after TED Talks are held – known as IDEA Talks – to benefit business owners and entrepreneurs. The 2024 IDEA Talks season is generously supported by the Klamath Community College Small Business Development Center and Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union. We are also grateful for support from the City of Klamath Falls, Klamath County, the Ford Family Foundation’s Growing Rural Oregon program, and through Oregon State Lottery Funds administered by Business Oregon.