SBA Hosts National Small Business Week Awards, events will celebrate America's spirit of entrepreneurship

By Karen E. Spaeder

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

It's National Small Business Week--and you're invited.Starting today, the SBA will host a series of events at theRenaissance Washington, DC, Hotel, to celebrate small business andselect a Small Business Person of the Year from every state, theDistrict of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. The award recognizesoutstanding small-business owners for their personal achievementsand contributions to the U.S. economy.

The theme for this year's celebration, "Small Business:Where America Works," is appropriate, given the events ofSeptember 11 and the economic uncertainty facing America. Some ofthe more notable events will include a tribute to 9/11 heroes,"Remembering September 11," with keynote speaker andDepartment of Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill; a forum withMichael Dell; and a discussion on retirement, "Closing theSmall Business Retirement Security Gap for Employers andEmployees," with Department of Labor Secretary ElaineChao.

Additional special awards will honor the SBA Young Entrepreneur,Small Business Exporter of the Year and the SBA EntrepreneurialSuccess winner (for a company that has developed into a largebusiness with the SBA's help). The National SCORE Chapter ofthe Year will also be honored.

For more on Small Business Week, go to http://smallbusinesssuccess.sba.gov. More informationon the winners of the various awards will be available later thisweek.

Karen E. Spaeder is a freelance business writer in Southern California.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

Her Business Is Solving the $12 Billion 'Porch Pirate' Problem — Here's How a $300 Product Can Keep Your Packages Safe

Melissa Kieling and her son Brennan Naylor co-founded hyve Security to save customers headaches and retailers money.

Business News

How You Brew Your Coffee Could Be Harming Your Health, According to a Study

Research suggests that unfiltered coffee may increase heart disease risks.

Growing a Business

Why the Number 385 Is the Answer to Building a Solid Go-to-Market Strategy

A successful go-to-market strategy involves three questions, eight pillars and five steps.

Business News

Over 1,300 Google Employees Have Signed a New Petition Asking For Job Security

Google laid off thousands of employees in the past two years, which has left some employees feeling insecure about keeping their jobs.

Productivity

6 Habits That Help Successful People Maximize Their Time

There aren't enough hours in the day, but these tips will make them feel slightly more productive.