Chambers set schedules

■ The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce’s annual community awards celebration is at noon Jan. 13 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. RSVP to 262-9814. Chamber members receive two complimentary tickets; additional tickets are $20.

■ The Kenai Chamber of Commerce will not meet Jan. 7.

Industry forum Wednesday and Thursday

The 2015 Industry Outlook Forum, “Impacts of Success — The Renaissance Continues,” hosted by the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, the city of Kenai, the city of Soldotna, and the Kenai Chamber of Commerce is Wednesday and Thursday at the Old Carr’s Mall, 11312 Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai. Presentations on a wide range of industry issues begin at 8:30 a.m. each day.

Find an agenda and registration information at http://kenaichamber.org/about-us/forms/.

Nominations due for Dream Big Small Business of the Year Awards Program

Nominations are due by Jan. 7, 2015, and applications are due by Feb. 2, 2015 for the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Awards Program. There are many businesses here on the Kenai Peninsula that could qualify for this award, so submit your application. There is a great chance to win $10,000 to help you with your business in 2015.

The Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Sam’s Club, celebrates the success of small business and honors its contributions to America’s economic growth. This is a chance to win a $10,000 cash prize and gain national recognition for your business! Are you a small business owner with a unique story to tell? If so, then we want to hear from you! The winner, and the 7 regional finalists, and 100 Blue Ribbon winners will be acknowledged on June 9 during America’s Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C.

There are two ways to participate in the Dream Big awards program:

— Anyone can nominate a small business by completing the nomination form.

— Eligible small businesses can apply by completing the application form.

Nomination and application forms may be found at https://www.uschamber.com/americas-small-business-summit-2015/dream-big-award.

— Nomination is not required for consideration, but eligible small businesses must complete the application form.

— Nomination is free. The application fee is $25 for U.S. Chamber of Commerce members and $150 for non-members. The $150 fee includes a one-year Small Business Alley Level Membership to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The awards program is an opportunity to earn free publicity for your company, showcase your success, thank your employees, and boost your business. In addition to the $10,000 cash prize, the overall winner will receive one complimentary registration to attend America’s Small Business Summit, discounted registration for additional attendees, complimentary two night hotel stay at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, recognition during the Blue Ribbon Breakfast and Awards Luncheon, crystal award, spotlight in Free Enterprise magazine, and an on-stage acceptance speech at the summit.

The Alaska Small Business Development Center (AK SBDC) is located in Soldotna at the Red Diamond Center, in Homer at the Chamber of Commerce, and once a month at the Job Center in Seward. Alaska SBDC offers free business counseling, including business planning, as well as a family of services to assist you throughout your business life cycle. Whether you’re a startup or an existing business, the business plan is a valuable tool in guiding you through any development phase of your operations. Business planning can be time consuming and intimidating, but with the help of technology tools and with the support of your local small business advisor this daunting task can prove to be a life-saving tool for the life of your business.

If you would like to explore your business ideas with an experienced business owner and advisor, the South West Region of the Alaska SBDC has offices in Soldotna, Seward, and Homer. We assist existing and start-up small business owners develop management skills, thereby improving their potential for success. We maintain the highest ethical standards of confidentiality, and provide one-on-one counseling services at no cost to you, our client.

Call us today and begin improving your 2015 performance. Contact Bunny at 907-260-5629 for an appointment with Bryan Zak, Associate State Director Alaska SBDC.

Small Business Development Center plans workshop

The Alaska Small Business Development Center is offering a Benefits of Budgeting class on Jan. 20, 2015 for people to learn methods to Monitor-Measure-and-Manage the amount of cash moving through their businesses. Establishing budgets is the vital element that keeps every business financially healthy. The $75 workshop will be held from 12:30-4:30 p.m. and will guide you through this process. Register online before Jan. 12 via the website http://aksbdc.ecenterdirect.com. The Alaska SBDC accepts cash, check, or you may pay by card using our safe Upay option. Veterans, contact Bunny Kishaba to see if our Veterans Scholarship Fund is still available.

For more information, go to www.aksbdc.org. If you have any questions, call Bunny at 260-5629.

What’s new in your business?

Have you opened a new business, moved to a new location, hired a new person or promoted an employee?

Send us your information at news@peninsulaclarion.com, fax it to 907-283-3299, or drop it by the Clarion at 150 Trading Bay in Kenai.

Questions? Call 907-335-1251.

Business announcements may be submitted to news@peninsulaclarion.com.