Awards Event to Feature Panels

Small-business owners can get information on financing, resources and using the Internet at the 17th annual Small Business Awards luncheon June 5 at the Hotel Inter-Continental in downtown Los Angeles.

Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., and Alberto Alvarado, district director of the Los Angeles office of the Small Business Administration, will be among the speakers.

The awards ceremony is part of National Small Business Week. The event honors small businesses in the SBA’s Los Angeles district office. Winners go on to compete at the regional and national level, with the national winner later named in Washington.

The local awards ceremony features keynote speaker Rick Rosenfield, co-founder of California Pizza Kitchen. Hourlong educational panel sessions after the luncheon will include nine small-business consultants and experts, who will provide free advice. The panels are:

* “How to Finance Your Business,” moderated by Times small-business columnist Juan Hovey and featuring Alvarado.

* “How to Use the Internet for Your Business,” moderated by Times small-business reporter Marla Dickerson.

* “How to Get Business Information,” moderated by Times small-business reporter Lee Romney and featuring Kyser.

The event is being hosted and organized by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the SBA. The Los Angeles Times is a co-sponsor.

The event begins at 11:15 a.m. at the Hotel Inter-Continental, 251 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles. Cost is $50 for chamber members and $75 for nonmembers. For reservations, contact the chamber at (213) 580-7585 or online at https://www.lachamber.org. For more information, visit https://www.latimes.com/smallbiz.