For key decision-makers at small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), time is likely just one of the resources that can seem to be in short supply. The capital required to invest in new, cutting-edge technologies is another. That is why Robert Cushman, secretary of the Las Vegas Chapter of the SCORE Association, will deliver daily presentations about the lending resources available to small manufacturers as part of the SMB FastTrack program at PACK EXPO Las Vegas (Sept. 23–25, 2013; Las Vegas Convention Center).

 

The presentations will focus on SBA loan and grant programs and online resources available to small business owners. The sessions will take place at 2:00 pm daily, in the SMB FastTrack Networking Center (Booth S-7787).

 

“While the amount of small business lending from large banks is down, the total amount of dollars available for small business loans has held up,” says Cushman. “It is part of the SCORE Association’s mission to ensure that small business owners understand how to leverage the loan and grant options available to them so they can invest in the tools they need to drive innovation and stay competitive.”

 

Supported by the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA), the SCORE Association is a nonprofit organization of volunteer business counselors who share their experience and insights with small enterprises to drive growth within the SMB community. Cushman will draw on his 20 years of experience in manufacturing and his work as the former chief operating officer at Boston law firm Warner & Stackpole to discuss the process of acquiring loans to advance their businesses.

 

“The SCORE Association brings critical knowledge to small manufacturers,” said Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO of PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, which owns and produces of PACK EXPO. “PACK EXPO has always provided an environment where these decision-makers could see the latest processing and packaging technologies. SCORE’s presentations will deliver critical information that can take them another step closer to securing the solutions they need to advance their productivity, sustainability and profitability.”

 

The sessions are open to all attendees as part of the SMB FastTrack program, which offers a way for attendees from small- and medium-sized manufacturers to quickly and efficiently connect with the technology and insights they need to advance their businesses. Participating attendees have access to special pre-show planning materials that identify SMB FastTrack exhibitors – suppliers that offer special financing, discounts or additional services to SMBs – and also meet with them and network with peers on-site at the SMB FastTrack Networking Center. SBA representatives will also be stationed at the SMB FastTrack Networking Center to address attendee questions on challenges and opportunities impacting small businesses.

 

Attendees can register for the SMB FastTrack program when they register for PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2013. For more information about the show and SMB FastTrack, visit www.packexpo.com/fasttrack. To register for the show, visit www.packexpo.com. Registration is $60 per person.

 

About PMMI

PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is a trade association representing over 600 packaging and processing supply chain companies that provide a full range of packaging and processing machinery, materials, components and containers. PMMI actively brings buyers and sellers together through programs and events such as The PACK EXPO family of trade shows, packexpo.com, PMT Magazine, PACK EXPO Show Daily, networking events and educational programs.

 

PMMI organizes the PACK EXPO trade shows: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, PACK EXPO East, EXPO PACK México and EXPO PACK Guadalajara, connecting participants in the packaging and processing supply chain with their customers around the world. Coming Up: PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2013, Sept. 23–25, 2013 (Las Vegas Convention Center); EXPO PACK México 2014 , June 17-20, 2014 (Mexico City, Mexico); PACK EXPO International 2014, Nov. 2-5, 2014 (McCormick Place, Chicago); Pharma EXPO, co-located with PACK EXPO International 2014, presented jointly with the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE); PACK EXPO East, debuting Feb. 2–4, 2015 (Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia); EXPO PACK Guadalajara 2015, March 18-20, 2015 (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico).

 

Learn more about PMMI and the PACK EXPO trade shows at PMMI.org and Packexpo.com.