The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce will hold a small business summit for business owners and entrepreneurs on Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Effingham campus of Savannah Technical College.

The purpose of the summit is to give small business owners specific information and tools to survive in today’s economic environment. Admission to this event is free for Effingham Chamber members. Non-members may attend for a registration fee of $49.

“We think that it’s most important not to obsess about the economy, but rather turn our energies toward those things we do best,” said Scott Hinson, chairman of the Chamber’s Entrepreneur Friendly Task Force, organizers of the event. “Our Chamber is providing this small business summit to reach out to the community and help business owners where they need it most.

“Many people would say we are in uncharted waters. We don’t disagree. Because of this, we have assembled a team of small business owners and managers who are out there on the front lines every day — marketing their businesses, selling for their companies, finding ways to cut operational costs and adjusting to the market changes going on,” Hinson said. “Attitude is everything. In today’s economy it takes three and four times the effort to bring in sales. We understand what people are up against. Here is an opportunity for small business owners to learn from their peers.”

The small business summit will be highlighted by a keynote address from noted area business consultant Clyde Usher, president of Applied Insight Management. Local small business owners will lead business roundtable discussions. They include: Glenn Jones, Effingham Printing Company; Louise Phelps, Savannah Business Report; Neville Stein, Stein Accounting CPAs; and Chamber marketing and special events manager Tess Hynes.

During the business roundtables participants will be able to ask specific questions that apply to their enterprises.

“They can gain hands-on information that will help build and transform their companies,” Hinson noted. “Glenn Jones will discuss sales strategies in a down market. Lou Phelps will offer creative ways to lower a firm’s operating costs. Neville Stein will outline 10 common small business tax myths, and Tess Hynes will explain how business owners can implement an effective, relationship-based marketing program.”

The small business summit will also feature a mini-trade show and networking exercises. To register for the small business summit, call the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce at 754-3301 or register online at: www.effinghamcounty.com/calendar.20.html. Seating is limited. The RSVP deadline is April 2. Admission is free for Effingham Chamber members, $49 for non-members.