SmallBusinessNewz

Small business owners are, with any luck, in for a great seven days.  Sunday, May 23rd marks the start of National Small Business Week this year, and all sorts of acknowledgments and ceremonies have been planned.  One will even benefit from the direct support of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The event - which is simply known as the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week - will run between the 23rd and the 25th in Washington, D.C., and as you might expect, will feature Karen Mills, Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

Ray LaHood, Janet Napolitano, JJ Ramberg, and Scott Griffith, along with many other noteworthy individuals, are also supposed to be on hand and speak.

As for what will take place (aside from speech-giving), several forums will focus on important topics like social media, job creation, and going global.  Specific opportunities for networking have also been set aside.  And then there will be the important matter of handing out awards.

The best SCORE chapter, Small Business Development Center, and Women's Business Center are due to be recognized, as are the State Small Business Persons of the Year.  There will be awards related to disaster recovery, entrepreneurial development, lending, and procurement, too.  The longest moment in the spotlight will be given to the winner of the National Small Business Person of the Year, though.

All in all, it should be an interesting (and important) time.  You can even watch a highlight video of the 2009 event here if you'd like.

Anyway, Karen Mills said in a statement, "During National Small Business Week we'll honor the spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation and determination that makes small businesses the engine of our economy and our nation's economic recovery.  We'll celebrate the contributions that small businesses make to our economy, to our global competitiveness, and to our daily lives."