• Today: Energy Technology Forum: Entry points in wind energy for Michigan startups. 5-7 p.m. SPARK Central, 330 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor. Everyone is talking about wind right now. To learn more about this topic and to network with others interested in this exciting clean tech space, please join us at the next Energy Technology Forum. Panelists: Dan Radomski - Next Energy; Dirck Lyon - Cascade Engineering; Bill Berghoff - Novitas Advisors; Cliff Williams - Orisol. Free. Click here to register.

• Today: Top Workplace Law Issues Facing Employers In 2010. 8:30 a.m.-noon. Saline City Hall, 100 N. Harris St. Hosted by Saline Area Chamber of Commerce, this event will feature a presentation by Steven Fishman of Bodman LLP, Attorneys & Counselors. $50 per SACC member organizations, $75 for non-members. Prepaid reservation is required by March 2. For more information or to register, call (734) 429-4494.

• Today: Putting Islamic Finance In A Western Perspective. 7-8:30 p.m. Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor. What is Islamic finance, and in the currently world of fragile global economy, why are more and more institutions interested in these ideas? U-M Visiting Scholar Yousef K. Al-Yousef presents a discussion titled "Putting Islamic Finance In A Western Perspective". Free. For more information, call (734) 327-4200.

• Today: Your Life in the Balance: Strategies for women. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thetford Corp., 7101 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. The International Association of Administrative Professionals, Ann Arbor Area Chapter presents “Your Life in the Balance: Strategies for women who take their career seriously and also have significant obligations outside of work." Speaker: Chris Greene, University of Michigan Health System. $20 for members, $25 for non-members, and first-time guests are always free (food and beverages included). Pay cash, check or PayPal. To pre-register via Paypal.com, send money to chapter treasurer at mmf68@sbcglobal.net (the e-mail linked to IAAP account).

• March 8: How the heck do I integrate my BA process into these Sprints? 6-8 p.m. Workantile Exchange, 118 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor. HSG Consulting LLC will sponsor a panel discussion on how to integrate the Business Analysis process into the Agile development environment. $10 for dinner. For more information, e-mail helene.gidley@hsgconsultingllc.com.

• March 9: Ann Arbor OpenCoffee. 8-9:30 a.m. SPARK Central, 330 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor. This is a networking event for entrepreneurs, investors and those who work with technology & innovation businesses, particularly in IT, cleantech and life sciences. Mighty Good Coffee will be provided, compliments of SPARK. Free. Click here to register.

• March 9: The Esperion Story: An Example of a Biotech Success and Rebirth in Michigan. 10-11:30 a.m. Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 2900 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Hosted by U-M Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Roger Newton, president and CEO of Esperion Therapeutics Inc., has worked for more than 28 years in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. The Esperion story is a composite of many challenges and rewards involving scientific inquiry, venture capital, equity financing, unsure capital markets, personal resilience, intuitive decision-making, numerous obstacles and, most importantly, an organization and culture with purpose and meaning. Contact Osher for more information by calling 734-998-9351 or visit olliumich.org.

• March 9: IKEA - Canton SCORE Business Seminar / Workshop. IKEA Canton, 41640 Ford Road, Canton. Michelle Webster, Ann Arbor SCORE Chair, SCORE counselors and other experts will provide an overview of the Financial and Legal Aspects of Starting, Owning/Running and Buying a Business- An Overview. Presenter will include experts in the legal and financial fields and includes presentations from the SBA, CPA’s, attorneys, financial advisors, venture capital, angel investors and bankers. Register by e-mailing to michelle@perryrueben.com or online at business.ikea.com.

• March 10: Lunch Ann Arbor Marketing meeting. 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Conor O'Neill's, 318 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Topic: Managing the Public Conversation: Comment Moderation. Presenter: Edward Vielmetti, AnnArbor.com. For more information, e-mail info@la2m.com.

• March 10: BioArbor: Angel Investor Forum. 5-7 p.m. SPARK Central, 330 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor. Every entrepreneur needs an angel! BioArbor invites you to listen to "What Angels Seek" in start-ups. Our panel of 'angels' have made several investments in the region's life science companies. They will share their investment experiences with you, as well as their views of the investment trends within life sciences arena. Free. Click here for more information or to register.

• March 10-11: Wellness in the Workplace conference. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Four Points by Sheraton, 3200 Boardwalk Drive, Ann Arbor. The 29th Annual Wellness in the Workplace Conference - The theme of this year's conference is: Fundamentals of Maintaining Healthy and High Performing People as a Core Business Strategy. Register online at www.hmrc.umich.edu/Products.

• March 11: Networks! "How to Thrive in a Tough Market." 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m., Four Points by Sheraton, 3200 Boardwalk Drive, Ann Arbor. Why do some companies struggle for every sale while others consistently uncover new opportunities, develop them, and close new business even in this tough market? This session will share how, if our actions are guided by truth, we will see the abundance around us and this will allow us to "be in the right place at the right time" when little seems to be going right in the market. $25 for chamber members, $35 for prospective members. Please pre-register by noon on March 10. For more information, contact Barbara Davenport at 734-214-0104.

• March 16: ATHENA PowerLink Lunch. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Marriott Eagle Crest Golf Center, 1275 S. Huron St., Ypsilanti. The achievements of women-owned businesses will be celebrated. Click here for more information or to register.

• March 17: Lunch Ann Arbor Marketing meeting. 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Conor O'Neill's, 318 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Topic: “Zag” by Marty Neumeier. Presenter: Scott Hauman, Daggerfin. For more information, e-mail info@la2m.com.

• March 23: Saline Area Chamber of Commerce's Building Business Relationships Breakfast. 7:30-9 a.m. Brecon Village, 200 Brecon Drive, Saline. This networking event will also feature speakers Brian Iott of Iott Insurance Agency; Jim Craig of Investment Solutions Services; and Mike and Susan Schoonmaker of Great Clips. The emcee will be Andrew Lund, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing N.A. Inc. For reservations or more information, call (734) 429-4494.

• March 24: Lunch Ann Arbor Marketing meeting. 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Conor O'Neill's, 318 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Topic: Engaging a Target Market/Graduating from User Traffic to User Advocate. Presenter: Shauna Nicholson, entrepreneur. For more information, e-mail info@la2m.com.

• March 25: 2010 Green IS Lean conference. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Cleary University’s Johnson Center, 3750 Cleary Drive, Howell. The mission of the Green IS Lean alliance is to help enterprises, communities and organizations to apply and benefit from green and lean tools and technologies through workforce training, consulting and community/industry outreach. The 2010 conference is designed to demonstrate how integration of green and lean principles can help improve business success and showcase leading edge work in various leading companies in holistic integration of these strategies.

• March 25: Cooley Law School open house. 4-7 p.m. Cooley's Ann Arbor campus, 3475 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor. Talk with representatives from the admissions, financial aid and career services offices, faculty, current students and alumni. Attend a mock class, an overview and honors scholars and accepted students sessions. Park on campus. Register online at cooley.edu. For more information, call (517) 371-5140, ext. 2244 or 2245.

• March 31: Lunch Ann Arbor Marketing meeting. 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Conor O'Neill's, 318 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Topic: Social Marketing and Online Consumer Reviews. Presenter: Joel Vergun, AV Consulting. For more information, e-mail info@la2m.com.

• 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.

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