Applications now being accepted for the Venture Forum 2003
We are seeking companies with innovative technologies to present at the Venture Forum 2003. Presenting companies from the past eight years have raised over $500 million in investment as a result of their participation in the Forum. If your company is selected to present, you will have an invaluable opportunity to showcase your business presentation to hundreds of potential investors and partners.
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January 9: Larta and Pepperdine University Present: What's Next LA? Building a 21st Century Economy and Workforce
Larta and the Pepperdine Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Law bring you the annual "What's Next LA" networking reception and panel discussion, featuring Larta's 2003 Southern California Technology Innovation Index, an economic report for Southern California that compares the LA region to other leading technology sectors in the US. After a networking reception, our panel of leaders from the LA region will discuss the impact and role of technology in education, and assess its role in promoting achievement and facilitating innovation.
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January 15 & 16: Larta University, Marketing and Sales
Effective marketing and sales for a company has to become a primary part of the business plan, as the company can fail or flourish depending on the marketing and sales strategy implemented. This workshop covers issues such as: determining and defining the total addressable market, competitive analysis, brand placement, P.R., viral campaigns, and the selling process. We will also be helping you refine your selling skills.
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January 21 : Economic Research Briefing, Biomedical Devices Industry
Larta's Economic Research briefings are high-level luncheon events featuring industry experts and major investors from the region's capital markets. Speakers discuss industry trends and the future of the industry, followed by an opportunity for audience discussion and networking. This month we will feature the biomedical devices industry.
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January 29: Larta University, Mergers & Acquisitions
It is virtually every entrepreneur's dream to build a business that eventually provides a significant monetary return to the company's shareholders through a liquidity event - primarily an IPO or a partial or complete sale of the business. In 2001 and the first half of 2002, there were approximately 140 IPO's versus approximately 15,000 M&A transactions. Clearly M&A has better odds. This session will provide you the knowledge necessary to take you business through the "path to liquidity". The course will discuss (i) what makes a successful acquisition candidate and what a business can do to maximize value before the sale process and (ii) how the M&A process works and how to maximize value during the sale process. The instructor is Adam Roseman, who heads Barrington Associates' Technology practice.
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January 30: Larta University, Less is Better: Persuasive Business Writing That Creates a Powerful Impact
In this three hour, interactive workshop, you'll learn that the longer you take to say things, the weaker you come across and the more you risk blurring important ideas. Let your writing sell your proposals. Become more persuasive through clear, precise communication. Cut down on the time it takes to organize your writing and create the right impression the first time. Using actual examples from business plans, executive letters, and sales proposals, Dr. Gary Seigel, trainer, writer, and entrepreneur, will show you fast, easy methods to organize ideas, delete excess words and sentences, target your audience, re-phrase complicated ideas into persuasive language, and reinvent your writing so that the message is always readable and appreciated. Instructor: Dr. Gary Seigel, The Writing Institute.
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February 4: Larta University, Management Law 101
Every company has at least one employee. Companies succeed based on the quality of their product or service and the quality of their human capital - employees. Therefore, every company leader must know how to properly manage his or her employees with an eye toward applicable employment laws. This seminar will teach company leaders the fundamental employment laws, which if violated can lead to six and seven figure exposure, as well as management techniques to develop a cohesive, forward-moving work force. Laws discussed will include discrimination, harassment, disability, basic wage and hour, fundamental company policies and more.
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February 5: Larta University, Preparing the Financial Forecast Model
This workshop will show you how to build a financial forecast model. Using Excel, you will learn how to build your forecast from the bottom up, taking the primary elements of your business (sales, cost of goods sold, staffing and overhead) and translating them into a forecasted Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement and Balance Sheet in a format that potential investors will find attractive.
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February 7: China Compass Conference, Navigating U.S. - China Business Opportunities
China Compass Conference (C3) is a major conference that brings together executives, investors, innovators, and strategic players, interested in market trends in U.S. - China business and the reality of doing business today. C3 features incisive and provocative minds at the forefront of business and finance in the U.S. and China. Speakers include GARETH CHANG (Click2Asia; former Executive Chairman, Star TV); CHENG WEN CHENG (President & CEO, AcrossAsia Multimedia Limited; former COO, Philips Electronics China Group); WILLIAM OVERHOLT (RAND; author of "The Rise of China"); DESMOND SHUM (Skytian; former Chief Representative, ChinaVest); and HOMI KHARAS (Chief Economist, World Bank, East Asia and Pacific Region).
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> Other Events To Check Out

December 18: Digital Coast Roundtable, Digital Coast Holiday Reception
In its 4th year, The Digital Coast Holiday Reception is a tradition for Los Angeles industry leaders. The major technology and entertainment organizations in the region are combining their holiday celebrations into one fun-filled extravaganza. With over 500 expected, this is a must-attend event for all types of professionals. If you are interested in sponsoring this event please contact Conchetta Fabares at cfabares@digitalcoast.org for a sponsorship package.
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February 11 - 13: The NASA Medical Technology Summit: Forging Partnerships to Commercialize Emerging Technologies
NASA invites you to participate in the NASA Medical Technology
Summit: Forging Partnerships to Commercialize Emerging Technologies. This one-of-a-kind event will showcase more than 20 NASA technologies that have commercial applications in biomolecular sensors, physiological monitoring, diagnostic instruments and techniques, therapeutic devices, and advanced instruments. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn how your company can partner with NASA to jointly develop or license some of the hottest technologies NASA has ever developed.
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Full Event Calendar >