Released on: May 7, 2008, 10:09 pm

Press Release Author: ICCA

Industry: Computers

Press Release Summary: The ICCA, founded in the days of room-sized computers, will
hold its annual conference this year in Washington, D.C., June 6-8th. Small
business owner attendees will listen to speakers discuss how to recession proof
their businesses.

Press Release Body: The Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA) will
hold its 31st annual conference June 6-8th in Washington, D.C. Focused on how to
"recession-proof" the computer service and consulting businesses, this year's
conference will offer a variety of work sessions designed to help small to medium
size business owners develop and hone their business skills.

The conference will kick-off with a special presentation by Robin Robins, one of the
most well-known marketing consultants for small business owners in the world. Ms.
Robins will outline the nine critical elements of a comprehensive marketing plan,
including the creation and proper targeting of high rate of response mailers. She
will also tell attendees how to tap into trends to create new revenue.

Following Ms. Robins' marketing seminar will be a panel discussion by five
best-selling authors on the habits that make a successful service business.

Saturday's program begins with a keynote by Robert Clements, colleague of Michael
Gerber. Mr. Clements will speak on "E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses
Don't Work and What to Do About It."

The rest of the day is devoted to work sessions on making money from blogging,
triggers on when and how to hire, moving from a one or two-person shop to a
multi-person business, making the transition to managed services, and reducing
anxiety for small business owners. Speakers include Stuart Crawford, Robert
Clements, Matt Makowicz and George Sierchio.

Saturday's program concludes with a keynote by David Gerwitz, author, editor and
forensic specialist, that will discuss how the White House email problems mirror
those of other organizations, and how the Homeland Security really begins at home.

On the final day of the conference, the recession proofing focus continues with
keynote speaker Erick Simpson's "Maximizing Service Delivery Profits during Economic
Downturns."

Other speakers and sessions include: Karl Palachuk on perfect project management,
Kimberla Fairley on projecting confidence, credibility and professionalism when
verbally speaking to your clients and capturing customer attention and loyalty, John
Avellanet on marketing without cold calls, and August Bequai on avoiding legal
pitfalls.

The original founder of the ICCA, Steve Epner, will close the conference with a
keynote speech on innovation and business survival.

Throughout the conference, technology vendors will be exhibiting new tools to help
small business owners and consultants.

The conference will be held at the Crystal City Marriot Hotel. To learn more and
register, visit http://www.icca.org/conferences.php

The Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA) is an international
not-for-profit trade association that provides professional development
opportunities and business support programs for independent computer consultants and
their business clients worldwide. For additional information, contact the ICCA at
11131 South Towne Square, Suite F, St. Louis, Missouri, 63123 . 314-892-1675 .
email: execdirector@icca.org . website: www.icca.org.


Web Site: http://www.icca.org

Contact Details: Joyce Burkard
ICCA
11131 South Towne Square, Suite F
St. Louis, MO
314-892-1675