• Today: International Financial Reporting Standards. 5:45-8:30 p.m. Carlyle Bar & Grill, 3660 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Hosted by Institute of Management Accountants, Ann Arbor Chapter, the evening includes two professional development sessions. Speakers: Thomas Siegfried, Jefferson Wells International on the topic IFRS - International Financial Reporting Standards"; and Susan Franke, Raymond James & Associates Inc., on the topic "Senior (Elder) Care Planning." $25, includes both sessions and dinner. RSVP to mfcgram@yahoo.com or call 734-434-6218 .

• Today and Friday: Free E-Waste Recycling Event for Small Businesses and Nonprofits. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Washtenaw Intermediate School District, 1819 S. Wagner Road, Ann Arbor. Dispose of your electronics -- computers, telephones and more -- in an earth-friendly way that keeps hazardous substances out of landfills and conserves natural resources. Just drive through and drop off. Volunteers will take care of the rest. All items will be disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. Small businesses and nonprofits with large quantities can participate. Free. Pre-registration for the institutional event is requested but not required. Pre-register at: http://michigan.poweron.com/p/register.

• Today: BNI-West weekly meeting. 7-8:30 p.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1500 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor. Members trade referrals, share testimonials and learn about each others’ businesses in a structured setting that combines solid business support in a family environment. Free. For more information, contact Carol Chantiny at PamperChefCarol@aol.com or 734-358-8480.

• April 23: The Story Matrix for Leaders: Using Stories to Inspire, Influence, Teach and Persuade. 8 a.m.-noon. Eagle Crest Conference Center, 1275 S. Huron St., Ypsilanti. As the speed and volume of information that comes our way increases with each new technological trend, how can we make our most important messages stand out from the crowd? Beth Stoner is founder and principal of Delta Possibilities, LLC. She brings more than 20 years as a strategic thinker, creative problem solver and project and program leader in a variety of assignments connected by a common thread - helping people and organizations to grow, change and thrive. Her current focus is working with organizations in transition, helping them to collaborate and work together as they envision, write and live into a new chapter in their organizational story. $195. Register online at http://thestorymatrixforleaders.eventbrite.com.

• April 27: Building Business Relationships Breakfast. 7:30-9 a.m. Brecon Village, 200 Brecon Drive, Saline. During this networking event, sponsored by the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce, featured speakers will be Don Hes, New York Life Insurance Company; Jeff Steeb, U-Store Self Storage; and Jason Tracey, Verizon Wireless-Wireless Zone. Master of ceremonies will be Tino Lambros, Coach’s Catastrophe Cleaning & Restoration Services. For reservations and more information, call 734-429-4494.

• April 27: Marketing Your Small Business-Part I. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. MI-SBTDC Region 12 Office, 301 W. Michigan Ave., Suite 101, Ypsilanti. This is the first in a series of two marketing workshops that will focus on the development of your sales & marketing plan. Part one will define your business, the competition and your target market. We will also be covering the components of an elevator speech and how to correctly brand your business. Please bring a brown bag lunch to the meeting. Coffee, hot tea and water will be provided. $10. For more information, call 734-547-9170 or e-mail sbtdc@wccnet.org.

• April 28: Dispensing Medicines in a Emergency. 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Washtenaw Learning Resource Center, 4135 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. Orientation Lunch hosted by Washtenaw County Public Health. If a disease outbreak required providing medicines to the entire population, would your clients, residents or employees be able to access public dispensing sites? Your organization will have the opportunity to enroll with Public Health as a “closed” dispensing site, which may be activated in the event of an emergency. Nonprofits, for-profit corporations and medical or non-medical organizations are all welcome to attend. Free, but registration is required. Lunch will be provided, but space is limited. Call 734-544-6759 or e-mail ringlers@ewashtenaw.org.

• April 28: How To Add Renewable Energy to Your Small Business. 7-8:30 p.m. Energy Outlet, 44 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti. Presenters: Thomas Reinke, Owner of Self-Reliant Energy; Hans Stahl, Owner of BioGreen Technologies. Does your business need to reduce its energy bills? Want to take advantage of today’s tax credits for renewable energy? Come and learn about the different clean energy technologies available today and which ones make the most sense for your business. $10. Register by calling 734-483-9000 or online at www.energyoutlet.org.

• April 29: Where Did All the Leaders Go? Today’s Leadership Benchstrength Challenge. 5-7:30 p.m. Denison Consulting, 121 W. Washington St., Suite 201, Ann Arbor. Denison Consulting's Thought Leadership Lecture Series invites you to meet with Jean Hauser for a provocative discussion on how the shortage of qualified leadership is affecting the growth, innovation and productivity of today's organizations. Hauser will share with you her findings and recommendations based on a study of 100 companies by Executive Development Associates. Learn what you need to address the problem of leadership benchstrength and grow your leaders for a successful future. Free. For more information, visit www.denisonconsulting.com.

• April 30: Habitat for Humanity Annual Auction and 20th Anniversary. 6-9 p.m. Morris Lawrence Atrium, Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor. Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley celebrates its 20th anniversary with an evening of food, drinks, music and the annual live and silent auction to benefit families in need. Habitat will also be honoring two of the local affiliate’s founders and a Sponsor of the Year. $50 or $400 for a table of eight. For more information or for tickets, visit www.h4h.org.

• May 6: Michigan Energy Forum. 5-7 p.m. SPARK Central, 330 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor SPARK sponsors a dynamic discussion around transportation infrastructure followed by an afterglow. Come and learn about current trends, public policy changes that are on the horizon and cutting edge innovation around the sector. Free. Click here to register.

• May 6: Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner - Ypsilanti Area Chamber of Commerce. 5:30-8:30 p.m. The Polo Fields - Washtenaw, 2955 Packard Road, Ypsilanti. The board of directors and staff of the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Area Chambers of Commerce invite you to join the celebration commemorating 2009. ATHENA award, Small Business Award and Distinguished Service Award recipients will be recognized at this event. For more information, e-mail katie@ypsichamber.org. Register at http://www.annarborusaevents.org/EventDetails.aspx?e=10407.

• May 7: WXW wine tasting and networking hour. 5 p.m. Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. Join Women's Exchange of Washtenaw and meet winemaker Laurence Feraud for a wine-tasting happy hour and networking event at the Ann Arbor Art Center. Registration starts at 4:30 p.m. Feraud founded Domaine du Pegau with her father in 1987, and has more than doubled the acreage of the family business. Attendees will hear Laurence speak about her experience as a woman in a male-dominated field; ticket price includes hors d’oeuvres and a taste of Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Rouge 2008, Selection Laurence Feraud. $16. Registration is available at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/640947090.

• May 11-12: Michigan Growth Capital Symposium. Registration starts at 11 a.m. May 11. Marriott Eagle Crest, 1275 S. Huron St., Ypsilanti. Premier equity event for leaders in the venture capital investment world to connect with entrepreneurs, startups and emerging growth companies that are actively searching for partners and funding. For more information, visit www.michigangcs.com.

• May 12: Livingston Economic Club’s spring luncheon and networking event. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Cleary University’s Johnson Center, 3750 Cleary Drive, Howell. Keynote speaker will be Michael Reagan, the eldest child of President Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman. Reagan regularly appears on network television as a commentator and guest on multiple programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Nightline and on FOX News Channel. Reagan’s weekly column is published in 300 plus newspapers and he has authored multiple books, including a best-selling autobiography. $60 includes assigned seat and lunch. For tickets, visit www.livingstoneconomicclub.com or contact Dennis Purdy by phone at 517-586-3010 or by e-mail at lec@cleary.edu.

• May 14: After-Hours Candidate Mixer. 3:30-6:30 p.m. The Polo Fields - Washtenaw, 2955 Packard Road, Ypsilanti. The Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors, the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Builders & Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor have partnered to co-host an after-hours candidate mixer. This is your opportunity to connect with tomorrow's leaders and discuss issues concerning you! This event is free and open only to the respective organizations' members and their guests. Strolling dinner provided. Cash bar available. Click here to register.

• Sign up for the weekly Business Review e-mail newsletter here.