Calling small business the backbone of the nation’s economy, President Barack Obama stressed his Administration’s commitment "to helping small businesses drive our economy toward recovery and long-term growth" in his proclamation of the week of May 23-29 as National Small Business Week. The President’s proclamation was issued last week prior to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 47th annual observance of National Small Business Week in Washington, D.C. (May 23-25). The event honors the nation’s most outstanding entrepreneurs, and features the announcement of the National Small Business Person of the Year for 2010 from among the 53 state small business winners, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.
President Obama will meet with Small Business Week award winners at the White House Tuesday.
“Small business owners embody the spirit of entrepreneurship and strong work ethic that lie at the heart of the American dream," President Obama said. "They are the backbone of our Nation's economy, they employ tens of millions of workers, and, in the past 15 years, they have created the majority of new private sector jobs. During Small Business Week, we reaffirm our support for America's small businesses and celebrate the proud tradition of private enterprise they represent." National Small Business Week 2010 began with two-and-a-half days of events in Washington, D.C., at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, where more than 100 outstanding business owners from across the country will be recognized. In addition to the State Small Business Persons of the Year, men and women involved in disaster recovery, government contracting, small business champions as well as SBA partners in financial and entrepreneurial development will be honored. A Keynote Address by SBA Administrator Karen Mills will highlight Monday morning’s agenda followed by Mills hosting a Town Hall Meeting entitled Small Business: Driving America’s Economy. Also featured are a series of executive panel forums on Innovation, Exporting and Social Media. Among the featured speakers confirmed are The Honorable Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation. A list of other outstanding speakers including prominent business leaders, CEOs and politicos, are listed with the full agenda at www.NationalSmallBusinessWeek.com. San Luis Obispo businesses can "attend" Small Business Week events virtually, via the SBA’s streaming video on the Web at http://www.NationalSmallBusinessWeek.com/.
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