Kitsap Regional Economic Development Council (KREDC) Executive Director, Zoltan Szigethy, announced at the group’s March 21 annual meeting that the organization is sponsoring a comprehensive guide to sales, marketing, and communication for Kitsap County businesses.

The Smart Business Marketing sessions will be offered from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 7; Tuesday, May 14; Wednesday, May 22; and Tuesday, June 4, at The Oyster Bay Inn meeting room, located at 4412 Kitsap Way in Bremerton.

Featured speakers will include Jim Andersen, founder of Steelhead Productions in Poulsbo; a spokesperson for Nextel & TeleTech in East Bremerton; David Cochran, founder of CEandP Branding & PR in Silverdale and Seattle; Bill Hoke, founder of Hoke Consulting in Poulsbo; and Carla Shoen, certified trainer in Bellevue for ACT! Software.

The Smart Business Marketing sessions will include:
• A Fast Track to Understanding Marketing and Increasing Sales

Andersen — Learn about the Marketing Mix

Hoke — How to Get the Most from your Sales and Marketing Dollars
• What is CRM and Why is it Vitally Important to Business Today?

Shoen — What is CRM and why do you need it?

Nextel Representative — A CRM Case Study
• Putting Sales and Marketing Tactics to Work

Cochran — Putting News and Information to Work for You

Anderson — Live Marketing

Hoke—Should You Advertise?
• Bonus Session – Sales and Marketing Survival Skills Applied

   A panel of Puget Sound sales and marketing-communication experts will provide solutions to challenges and problems posed by participating businesses

The cost for all four sessions is $149 per person and $139 for each additional participant from the same company or organization, payable in advance by April 26. KREDC will also accept names for a waiting list for sessions one, two, and three. The cost for each individual session is $49 per person, payable on site the day of the session. The single sessions will be offered on a space availability basis and each participant will be given a one-week advanced notice. Attendees will also receive a copy of the ‘Marketing Makes Sense’ session guideline.

To register, contact the KREDC before April 26 (360) 377-9499, (877) 465-4872 or edckc@kitsapedc.org. Registration can also be done online at www.kitsapedc.org.

Sponsors of the KREDC Smart Business Marketing sessions include BOXLIGHT, Kitsap Business Journal, and the Law Office of Lynda H. McMaken.