BRIEFLY

The Future of Small Business: “Small Business in the 21st Century” is the theme of the 13th national legislative conference hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. Small business leaders from around the country are meeting today through Friday at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. The registration fee is $300. For information, contact your local SBA office.

Disaster Loan Deadlines: Small business owners who suffered flood and storm damage last winter have until next Tuesday to apply for low-interest loans. Southern California businesses may be able to qualify for up to $1.5 million in SBA disaster loans. Businesses must have been located in a declared disaster area and the losses must have occurred between Feb. 13 and April 19. For information and loan applications, call (800) 488-5323, or (916) 566-7388 for the hearing-impaired.

The Past and Future of IPOs: Looking back and ahead at the initial public offering marketplace is the theme of a Dec. 12 breakfast sponsored by L.A. Venture Assn. The meeting begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Radisson Bel Air Summit Hotel. Members pay $25. Nonmembers, $40. Information: (310) 450-9544.

Candidates Sought: The deadline to enter the Small Business Person of the Year contest, sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, is Dec. 15. Nominations can be made by professional and trade associations, chambers of commerce, banks or small business employees. Call John Tumpak at the SBA, (818) 552-3203.

Succession Planning: Executives of family-run businesses can learn how to devise a succession plan at a free seminar Friday in West Los Angeles. The seminar, sponsored by the law firm of Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp and City National Bank, will be from 8 to 10 a.m. at 11377 W. Olympic Blvd., 6th floor. Information: (310) 312-3188.