Small Business Marketing Update - First Coast Manufacturers Association To Hold Strategy & Finance Summit

Jacksonville’s First Coast Manufacturing Association (FCMA) will be conducting a half day forum November 5th to discuss the financial and strategic issues facing manufacturing firms, locally, nationally and globally, in the current economic environment.

The forum will be a valuable opportunity for those small businesses that either market for or market to area manufacturers, logistics companies and various businesses that support the manufacturing industry.

Topics to be covered include…

• Transformations: How To Capitalize On Accelerating Change And Innovation;
• America’s Coming Energy Surplus And What It Means For Manufacturing;
• Europe’s Debt Crisis: Threats And Opportunities For U.S. Manufacturing;
• The U.S. Economy – Debt, Deficits, And Your Cost Of Capital;
• Quick-hit references and resources that will address the US “fiscal cliff,” the changing pricing and risk management tools of the insurance markets, and capital sources from Miami to Atlanta.

Speakers include representatives from large and small manufacturers, the energy sector, financing specialists, and the Federal Reserve. Those participating include:

Ø    Matt Badiali, a geologist and natural resource specialist who has traveled the globe to evaluate energy sources;

Ø    Gregg Quick and Steven McInall, from JEA, to discuss what power options are available locally – or coming in the near future;

Ø    Chris Oakley, Regional Executive for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta;

Ø    Carleton Knotts, Trane Commercial Systems, to talk about how manufacturers can be sure they lowered their energy demand as much as possible, without compromising operations.

Ø    Greg Johnson, Director Manufacturing, Soler-Palau Inc., and Cindy Hildebrand, CEO, CF Machine, to share their experiences in capitalizing on accelerating change.

“There are so many questions circling the manufacturing industry, from the U.S. presidential outcome to the Middle-East unrest to taxes to the economic collapse of European nations, it is difficult for business owners, presidents and CEOs to navigate,” explained Lake Ray, president of FCMA. “So this is a forum that is certainly timely and could prove to be extremely helpful for developing future strategies for manufacturers.”

The Summit will be held Monday, November 5th at the University Center (building 43 – 12000 Alumni Drive) at the University of North Florida, from 7:30 AM to noon. The cost is $99 for FCMA members and $199 for the general public. Reservation details are available at fcmaweb.com.

www.fcmaweb.com