Posted

Monday, November 16, 2009

To: International Council for Small Business (ICSB) Affiliates and Secretariats

From: Professor Claire Massey
Senior Vice President for Programs
International Council for Small Business

Subject: Call for Proposals to host the 2013 World Conference
due 4 January 2010 5pm EST.

Date: 9 November 2009

On behalf of the ICSB Board of Directors I am pleased to send you this Request for Proposals to host the 2013 ICSB World Conference. The ICSB World Conference schedule is set through 2012:

2006 Melbourne, Australia – SEAANZ
2007 Turku, Finland – ECSB
2008 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada – CCSBE/CCPME
2010 Seoul, South Korea – KOSBI
2010 Ohio, USA – USABE
2011 Stockholm, Sweden – ECSB
2012 Wellington, New Zealand – SEAANZ

2013 Proposals due in PDF format by 4 January 2010by 4pm EST. Please send to Ayman El Tarabishy at ICSB@gwu.edu

Please review the information below. You should also review the complete Manual for World Conference (2005) which accompanies this document.

Goals of the World Conference

“Affiliates of the ICSB are the ones that can host the World Conference. Hosting offers the affiliate the opportunity to publicize its international linkages, expand its own membership and generate a revenue surplus for its own treasury” (ICSB Manual, 2005). The conference is a vehicle to bring in new members to ICSB. Through the World Conference, the host should accomplish these objectives, as well as meet the broader objectives of ICSB (ICSB Manual 2005).

Affiliates should be aware that the purpose of the World Conference “… is to create a meeting place for people working and/or researching in the field of small business management and entrepreneurship.” The forum brings together participants from many regions of the world, with a desire to support the goals and objectives of ICSB.

Responsibilities of the Host Affiliate

The host affiliate will have a series of responsibilities (see section 3.0 ICSB Manual) throughout the years leading to and concluding with the World Conference in 2013:

• Affiliate host must work with the ICSB BOD and especially the SVP for Programs.
• Prepare and submit in a timely manner the required reports, with full disclosure (see Appendix A).
• Ensure that the World Conference theme, registration fee and all events surrounding the conference are consistent with the ICSB’s philosophy and goals.
• Provide a full accounting and a complete conference report within the required period (See section 15.0-Post Program Activities.)
• Cooperate with the ICSB Board through the Senior VP for Programs to select speakers and events.

Other Considerations

Affiliates submitting proposals must consider the following situations:

• Is the affiliate organized enough, to work as a group to put on this mega event?
• Do you have the initial resources to get the work going?
• Do you have a location identified that is attractive and accessible for the attendees from a wide range of international destinations?
• Is the venue for the conference of sufficient size? Are all activities going to be held in the same site where the attendees have rooms?
• Can the World Conference hotel accommodate all of the anticipated attendees in suitable facilities?
• Can the host negotiate the best valve for the attendees?

The Proposal

If your affiliate believes it has the capability and desire to host a World Conference, we invite you to submit a proposal. We invite all affiliates/secretariat to submit proposals in order to showcase your affiliate and your country.

The SV President for Programs via the International Office will be receiving proposals which should be sent to arrive no later than 4 January, 2010. A committee will be established for the following actions:

• Evaluate the proposals, to certify that they meet the criteria established in the Manual of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB): Planning Guidelines for World Conferences (2005).
• Evaluate the proposal regarding how it furthers ICSB mission and goals.
• Evaluate the proposal regarding how having the World Conference in that region will further entrepreneurship for the rest of the world; and finally,
• Evaluate the proposal so that a recommendation can be made to the full ICSB BOD at their World Conference, 2010 meeting.

All proposals should be as complete as possible and contain the following:

• Name of the Host Affiliate with their officers’ names
• Name of the City (where the World Conference will be held)
• Tentative dates of the World Conference
• Possible hotels (with descriptions of rates, etc.)
• World Conference Chair and Organizing Committee names
• World Conference Theme and sub themes
• Possible names of plenary speakers
• General Conference schedule (with unusual activities highlighted)
• Preliminary budget (revenues and expenses)
• Registration fees (including ICSB licensing fee). Please note that registrations fees for non ICSB members have to be included in ICSB membership dues, a fact to consider.
• Conference fee as a percent of total expenses.
• Advantages of location and area (transportation, tourist attractions, air travel convenience, in addition advantages from an academic, research, government and policy standpoint)
• Disadvantages of location (transportation, tourist attractions, air travel convenience, etc.)

All proposals should be sent Ayman El Tarabishy at ICSB@gwu.edu in PDF format by 4 January 2010 by 4pm EST. No late proposal will be considered. Finalist will be asked to submit hard copies to the ICSB International Office at the address below:

International Council for Small Business
The George Washington University
2201 G Street, NW, Suite 315
Washington, DC 20052
Email: ICSB@gwu.edu
Tel: 12029940704
Fax: 12029944930

All the best to everyone as you prepare your proposals. Of course, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me c.l.massey@massey.ac.nz or Ayman El Tarabishy, at icsb@gwu.edu.