Raising The Voice Of Small Business

U.S. Chamber of Commerce, America’s Small Business Summit

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes and sectors including numerous state and local chambers and industry associations across the United States.

Challenge:

In launching its inaugural Small Business Summit, the Chamber needed to stage a major event featuring key administration officials and other business leaders for an audience of small business people from all over the country.  The goal of this important conference was to facilitate discussion of a wide range of issues impacting the small business community.

Solution:

The Chamber enlisted Kevin Corcoran to plan, produce and manage this significant event.  Attracting more than 500 small business people, the event featured speakers such as then-Senator Hillary Clinton, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, FedEx CEO Fred Smith, and then-U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow to address a range of issues vital to small business.

Kevin and his team planned and coordinated the entire program including a welcoming cocktail reception, an elegant dinner and awards ceremony, photos in front of the White House, and many other unique experiences culminating in more than 300 summit attendees visiting Capitol Hill to meet with their members of congress.

Result:

The Summit was a major success both in fostering goodwill between the Chamber and its small business members and in bringing much-needed attention to small business issues. The annual gathering has become a key event in Washington, DC and a “must-attend” conference for small business leaders who seek to effect change.