NFL Legend and Entrepreneur Fran Tarkenton to Speak At National Small Business Week Event

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hall of Fame quarterback and entrepreneur Fran Tarkenton will be the featured speaker during the Phoenix Award and Procurement breakfast awards ceremony on June 21 at 9 a.m. EDT during the Washington, D.C. portion of National Small Business Week.  The event will recognize the achievement of small business' contribution to the national economy and local communities, honoring one business owner and several public officials who contributed to local disaster recovery as well as small businesses that provide outstanding goods and services to the federal government as prime contractors or as subcontractors. 

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Tarkenton comes to National Small Business Week in partnership with event co-sponsor Office Depot®, a leading global provider of office supplies and services. The two brands have partnered together to launch SmallBizClub.com, a website featuring articles, multi-media content and custom-tailored advice from SMB experts designed to help entrepreneurs start, run and grow their businesses.

Fran Tarkenton's football career began in 1961, where, as quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, he took his team to the 1973, 1974 and 1976 Super Bowls. Since then, the Atlanta-based Tarkenton has started and run 20 successful companies, the largest reaching revenues of $142 million. His ventures include a small business consulting website; Tarkenton Financial, an annuity marketing firm; and business coaching, among many others.  A passionate advocate for small businesses, he provides advocacy and consulting support through his Tarkenton Institute for Entrepreneurial Development, his Sirius radio program, and Success Saturdays - a monthly webinar featuring leading SMB experts.

The morning event, held at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. hotel, will kick off a day of recognizing small business achievement. Later that day one business owner from a group representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam will be selected as the National Small Business Person of the Year.

Events on the schedule will be available for viewing through SBA's free, live webcasting, accessible at www.sba.gov/smallbusinessweek.  Those interested can register online at the same site, where additional information (updated weekly) is available regarding registration, awards ceremonies, small business forums and matchmaking sessions. 

Register online to attend any of these events at http://nsbwdc.eventbrite.com. 

Every year since 1963, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight through National Small Business Week the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories.  This year's events will be held June 17-21, in Seattle, Dallas, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. offering tips, tools and trainings for small businesses to start, succeed and grow.  In addition to in-person events, small business owners can participate in online-only panel discussions on hot topics like social media and business financing starting daily at 4pm ET. All events, in-person and online, will be streamed live on www.sba.gov/smallbusinessweek. Also visit this site for a full schedule of events and additional information. The event hashtag is #SBW2013.

Small Business Week 2013 sponsors include: Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Microsoft, National Association of the Self Employed (NASE), Arlington Texas Chamber of Commerce, AT&T, ADP, Western Pennsylvania Small Business Network, Staples, Dunn & Bradstreet Credibility Corp., Visa, Women Impacting Public Policy, Lockheed Martin, National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, Business Forward and Office Depot.

The U.S. Small Business Administration's participation in this cosponsored activity does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any cosponsor's, donor's, grantee's, contractor's or participant's opinions, products, or services. All SBA programs and cosponsored programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance, by contacting [email protected]. Cosponsorship Authorization #SBW2013.

Release Number: 13-32

Contact: Carol Chastang (202) 205-6987

Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration