EXPOsing Greatness, a regional business-to-business expo, is showcasing several new mini-seminars at their upcoming event. The complimentary mini-seminars will take place during the Expo on Wednesday from 4 to 7:30 p.m. and are designed to educate both individuals and small businesses on exciting and relevant business topics.

Each mini-seminar will be presented twice during the expo at the Lake Michigan College Bertrand Crossing Campus.

• “Thinking About Franchising,” presented by Ben Sadler, Executive Director of the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce, will offer quick tips about the pros and cons of starting a franchise. Sadler, an experienced franchise consultant, will also share deeper insight into the details of this business model such as disclosure documentation, fee schedules, training, advertising and territory.

• Rosemary Max, Chief Executive Officer of ESIWorldBridge, an international consulting firm, will discuss “Going Global.” This presentation will help keep you safe and legal during international business travel, through a review of up-to-date rules and regulations. Max will also give tips and answer questions about international hiring.

• Calli Berg, a certified economic developer, and president of BDM Services, will teach “Leveraging Business Opportunities: Using Tools to Cut Costs and Identify Sources of Funding.”  Berg’s presentation will provide tools necessary for small businesses to discover new public and private sources of funding. Berg will discuss how to identify grants, become an attractive business for lenders and meet helpful local organizations. She will also share some simple but effective marketing techniques.

• Rod Habicht, president and Chief Executive Officer of Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, will present “Becoming a Community Partner,” a seminar designed for business leaders to discuss the value of participating in a charitable giving program. Habicht will share his knowledge on how to simplify giving to the community, while bringing employees together and enhancing community status.

• “Fraud Prevention: Best Practices,” presented by United Federal Credit Union, will give an overview of tactics to recognize and avoid identity theft and other scams, including Internet fraud, and counterfeit checks. This mini-seminar will also explain how to contact and alert the three credit bureaus in case of identity theft.

• The United States Postal Service will be offering “Every Door Direct Mail,” a tutorial on their direct mail service, which can be used by business to easily and inexpensively send mail without having to provide individual names or addresses. This new system will help even small businesses get their message out to their neighborhood without addressing, sorting, fees or permits.

There is no admission fee for the EXPOsing Greatness expo. All local businesses, as well as the general public, are invited to take advantage of this preview of a wide variety of retail, commercial and service businesses close to home and participate in the free mini-seminars.

The expo is presented by the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce, the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Michigan College Bertrand Crossing, Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance and sponsored by United Federal Credit Union. For more information about the expo, seminars, or becoming an exhibitor, contact Shelley Klug at 683-1833, or go online at www .exposinggreatness.com.