FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 3, 2005
For more information contact:

Lisa Wagner, Wind River Development Fund
Phone: 307.335.7330

Native American Business Expo invites non-Indians to discuss Reservation-related business and cultural issues

RIVERTON – The 5th Annual Native American Business Expo will take place at the Rocky Mountain Hall in Ft. Washakie on Wed., March 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The focus of the expo and seminars is to provide cultural perspectives on working with Native American business owners and doing business on the Reservation.

"On the Reservation, business owners must deal with complex tax, infrastructure and land issues that many off-reservation business owners don't face," says Sara Robinson, executive director of New'e Development Corporation.

"There is also a cultural context that creates an environment where capitalism is not considered appropriate so an entrepreneur can be torn between business and their culture."

Sessions during the day include: "Overview of the Reservation"; "The Nuts and Bolts of the Reservation Business Environment"; "Cultural Perspectives"; "Questions You Always Wanted to Ask About the Reservation But Were Afraid To"; "Bridging the Gap: Models of Success"; and a panel of Native American business owners.

"In the past, the Expo has focused on educating entrepreneurs on the Reservation to help them start and grow their companies," said Lisa Wagner, director of the Wind River Development Fund in Ft. Washakie. "For 2005, we are opening up the Expo to anyone interested in learning more about the Reservation, including county, state, and federal agencies, elected officials, and businesses that offer services to individuals or the tribes on the reservation such as banks, utility companies, energy companies and other businesses."

A welcome reception will be held the night before the Expo from 5-7 p.m. at the Inn at Lander, following the "How To Sell To the Government" conference on March 15. The winner of the business plan challenge will be announced and the Wind River Reservation Business of the Year will be awarded.

For more information, contact the Wind River Development Fund at 307-335-7330.

The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.wyomingbusiness.org.

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