PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 28, 2012

Contact:  Paulette Pettit-Austrich

Phone: 410-444-4992

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

GOVERNOR AND TOP LEGISLATORS TO ATTEND MD SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS

Nation’s Largest SBA District Celebration Attracts State’s Top Elected Officials

(Baltimore, MD) Governor Martin O’Malley and several top elected officials will pay tribute to the powerful impact of Maryland’s small business community, Friday, April 13, 2012 at the 28th Annual Maryland Small Business Week Awards luncheon at Martin’s West in Woodlawn, MD.  

Joining the governor in recognizing this year’s outstanding small business owners and supporting champions will be: Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman Steny Hoyer, Congressman John Sarbanes and Baltimore County Executive, Kevin Kamenetz.  The event, which attracts hordes of entrepreneurs, lenders and small business advocates, will, for the first time, honor both this year’s winners and past awardees.  The theme, “Celebrating Our Future, Honoring Our Past” is uniquely Maryland’s while the nationwide initiative, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (S.B.A.) and other public and private sector small business supporters, honors America’s entrepreneurs at the local, state and national level.  It remains the nation’s largest SBA District celebration. 

In addition to attracting top State elected officials the annual awards event has attracted Houston’s ThinkEnergy, a national retail electricity provider serving the state’s small business community.   Part of GDF SUEZ Group, the world’s largest independent power producer, ThinkEnergy has signed on as the event’s top contributor, making an acknowledged bold statement about their commitment to small business in Baltimore – and to entrepreneurs in particular.  According to Deena Morgan, ThinkEnergy Vice President and General Manager, “We understand that entrepreneurs are engines of innovation and economic growth, and we want to help power their success.”

The event also provides opportunities for those new to entrepreneurship to get tips, discover resources and learn from the best of the best, including past winner of the Entrepreneurial Success Award and event Co-Chair, Martin Resnick, Chairman of Martins Caterers.  “I would not be in business today or have expanded the way we did without the S.B.A.,” Resnick confides.  Thrilled with the number of political VIPs who’ve confirmed their attendance Resnick proudly proclaims his admiration for “our incredible government – who’ve helped me to make a dream come true.”  He continues, “If you are willing to work hard and you’ve prepared yourself with a good education or by working in the business community and you have an idea and some experience, the S.B.A. – a government agency - is willing to invest in you and turn your ideas into reality.” 

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.mdsbwawards.org or call Rachel Howard at 410-962-6195, ext. 330 and follow the event on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.