Investor Forum Focuses On Economy, New Business

The economy and new business is the focus of the Inland Northwest Investor Forum, a three-day event featuring local businesses which begins Tuesday at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Spokane.

The first day’s program includes a workshop on raising capital for new and growing companies.

Potential investors can meet on Wednesday with representatives from eight emerging companies that specialize in a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, Internet and biotechnology. Other businesses looking for investors will exhibit.

On Thursday, investors and business owners can attend a symposium on building and sustaining an entrepreneurial economy in the Inland Northwest. Rich Hadley of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce and Sam Hubbard, a principal of Interwest Consulting, will make presentations.

For more information or to register, call 455-4330.

In other events this week:

Today

The Federal Reserve reports on consumer credit for July.

Tuesday

Human Resources Network of North Idaho holds a lunch, 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene.

The U.S. Labor Department reports on productivity and costs for the second quarter.

The U.S. Commerce Department reports on wholesale trade for July.

Wednesday

Author and management consultant Tom Peters conducts a “Lessons in Leadership” conference at 8:30 a.m. at the Spokane Center. Cost: $259-$299 per person. Call 1-800-873-3451.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture starts a two-day public meeting of the National Commission on Small Farms in Washington, D.C. The 30-member commission is hoping to hear testimony from farmers, tribes, community-based organizations, academic leaders, businesses, and agricultural and trade associations.

The Consumer Credit Counseling Service conducts a free money management workshop, 6-7 p.m. at the Kootenai Medical Center, 2003 Lincoln Way in Coeur d’Alene. 800-892-6854.

Thursday

Youth programs begin at the recently-remodeled East Central Campus Life Center on Fifth, between Fiske and Haven streets.

Friday

The Pendleton Round-Up begins in Pendleton Oregon.

Saturday

Farmer-Consumer Awareness day in Quincy, Wash., will include farm tours of a dairy, a mint oil extraction plant and a hydroponic tomato production plant. The celebration also includes a parade, a petting zoo and a barbecue. For more information, call the Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce at 509-747-2140.

The Washington State Department of Licensing’s rule revision goes into effect prohibiting the department from releasing personal information from driver and automobile records unless it’s a matter of safety.

Sunday

The World Fertilizer Conference opens in Atlanta.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Sales tax receipts

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, Sept. 8: Cover story focuses on Honda Motor Co.’s attempt to build a world car with a flexible design that can accommodate different markets using the same frame. Forbes, Sept. 8 The issue explores efforts to keep “strong crypto,” the computer software that ensures privacy.

Sales strength Here are the three organizations with the largest sales forces, by category, according to a survey by Selling Power magazine. Manufacturing: Sara Lee, 29,000 salespeople. IBM, 16,000. PepsiCo, 15,000. Services: Conseco, 90,000 salespeople. Aflac, 33,449 BankAmerica, 30,000. Direct selling industry: Amway, 2.5 million salespeople (most part time) Noevir USA, 1 million. Sunrider International, 1 million.