An international business conference and exhibition aimed at growing businesses, promoting an enabling environment for the private sector as well as creating jobs and alleviating poverty, is scheduled to take place at the Accra International Conference Centre from 25-26 February 2011. The event, dubbed, “Business Sense 2011”, is under the theme, “Turning Ideas Into Profitable Businesess to Improve the Private Sector” is expected to attract over 100 exhibitors, 200 conference delegates made up of Managing Directors, CEO, Business consultants, Business Development Managers, entrepreneurs and people who want to start their own businesses. Also expected to visit the exhibition are a highly-targeted audience of over 5,000 business-minded individuals over the duration of the event. Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Paul Asinor, the Event Director of OML Africa said, “Business Sense 2011 is essentially a 3-prong solution that is aimed at stimulating the Ghanaian business sector with emphasis on SMEs which make 90% of our economy and yet are often neglected when it comes to the provision of capital, business advisory support, etc. Business Sense 2011 is made up of a 2-day exhibition and conference as well as a business plan competition where viable business plans will be selected by an independent panel of imminent judges and announced as a climax to the event.” “Business Sense 2011 will also provide participants with access to capital funds, promote linkages between small and large organizations whilst creating a conducive environment for business networking and growth. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase their latest products and services whilst building new sales leads. We are currently in harsh global economic climate and business is rough but imagine over 5,000 potential clients walking through your front desk over 2 days, ready to do business with you! That is what Business Sense 2011 is all about.” he added. The conference will be addressed by local and international business experts including Kojo Amissah (Lead Executive of Commonwealth Institute of Technology and Management), Jeanine Bowen (Vice Chair, Ghana South Africa Chamber of Commerce and Founder of ProCall Solutions) and Dr Gilbert Alaba Olusemore (renowned Nigerian banking expert and author of award-winning books “Essentials of Small Business Management” and “Minding Your Vault”). Other business experts speaking at Business Sense 2011 are Matthew Boadu Adjei (CEO of Oasis Capital, Ghana), Olawale Olutayo (Chareted Institute of Personnel Management, Nigeria) and Peter Gyateng (General Manager of Kingdom Books Limited), who will share their experience and best practice with delegates. Officials from the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, VAT Service, Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Investment Promotion Council, Enablis and Ghana Labour Commission are also expected to deliver presentations at the conference which will comprise of lectures, practical workshops and plenary sessions. Managing Directors, CEOs, Business Development Managers, Consultants, Entrepreneurs from companies including Genius Consult, 1 Style Computex Gh Ltd, Fastnetlinks Ventures, Harusoft Technologies, Prime Street Investment, Feda International Services(US), Philianco Company Ltd, Nineteen0Seventy-Eight Ltd, Yaweras Ltd, Ejim Craft Centre, Ultimate Ventures and many other SMEs from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and as far afield as India will also benefit from all key areas of business like customer service, sales, marketing, branding, PR, recruitment, legal, book keeping, IT and the use of the internet to make more profits. Some expected participants at Business Sense 2011also include Ghana Private Sector Development Facility, Fleet Technologies, Business Development Services, Origo Software, Parcel Unique Services, Pixel Studios, Multi-Auto Garage Services, Samoden Enterprise, Anane KM Enterprise and many other reputable organizations including banks, venture capital companies, business advisory consultants, office equipment suppliers and other providers to the SME industry who will mount stands and showcase their products and services. The business plan competition is aimed at Ghanaian citizens, aged 18 years and above and who have run a Small or Medium-Scale Enterprise for at least 2 years. Winners will be rewarded with fantastic prizes from access to capital funds, business advisory services, mentoring from top business experts, business products and services like building of websites, etc at the cocktail ceremony that will climax the event. Source: www.businesssensegh.com