State chamber to hold small biz, legislative brunch June 3

Business leaders and state lawmakers will meet in Dover next week to discuss the current legislative session and the small business climate in Delaware.

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce will hold its Small Business Conference and End-of-Legislative Session Brunch at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on June 3.

The small business conference will begin with networking and exhibits by local companies, followed by a welcome by Mike Reath, co-chair of the Small Business Alliance.

James DeChene, the chamber's director of government relations, will then lead a panel discussion about lobbying for small business with Reps. Byron Short (D-Highland Woods) and Daniel Short (R-Seaford), co-chairs of the state House's Small Business Caucus.

After a half-hour break, chamber president Rich Heffron will open the legislative brunch, followed by a buffet meal. State Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia Blevins (D-Elsemere) and Speaker of the House Peter Schwartzkopf (D-Rehoboth Beach).

New this year will be Small Business Day, a post-brunch event in Room 112 of the Tatnall Building at 150 William Penn St. in Dover, where attendees will be able to meet with various committee chairs and discuss how decisions made in Dover might impact business.

Registration for the small business conference and legislative brunch is $50 for chamber members and $75 for non-members. Registration for Small Business Day only is free.

The deadline to register as an exhibitor is noon on June 1. Exhibitor fees range from $175 to $350.

Contact Scott Goss at (302) 324-2281, sgoss@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ScottGossDel.