• Today: Summer Speaker Series-Reinventing Careers as Consultants, Subcontractors, Freelancers and More. 3-5 p.m. SPARK East, 215 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti. Speaker: Dr. Diana J. Wong. Many people are finding innovative ways to recreate their career portfolio of talents and expertise. This session will provides an overview of becoming a consultant and managing some related roles as interns and sub-contractors. Some of the topics included will be sourcing consulting opportunities, responding to RFIs/RFQs/RFPs, qualifying clients, teaming with other experts, executing well, billing and collecting, and building a clientele. Audience members will have an opportunity to pursue deeper discussions based on specific interests. Free. Click here for more information or to register.

•  Today: Ann Arbor West chapter of Business Network International open meeting. 7-8:30 a.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1500 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor. Meeting repeats every Thursday. BNI is an international networking group that works by growing members’ businesses through word-of-mouth advertising. Each week, members trade referrals, share testimonials, and learn about each others’ businesses in a structured setting that combines solid business support in a family environment. For more information, e-mail PamperChefCarol@aol.com, call 734-358-8480 or visit www.a2bni.com.

• Today: Solar for Your Building: The Incentives Add Up. 10 a.m.-noon. Ypsilanti Public Library - Whittaker Road Branch, 5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti. Clean Energy Coalition (CEC) is hosting a special event as part of its 2010 Rebuild Ypsilanti campaign, Solar for your building: The incentives add up. Rebuild Ypsilanti aims to reduce energy costs by assisting Ypsilanti-based commercial building and business owners with energy efficiency improvements and renewable installations. Free. Learn more at www.cec-mi.org.

• Today: Concentrate Speaker Series Event: Young & Sticking Around. Conor O'Neill's, 318 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Much has been written about Michigan's brain drain and there is little doubt that the state is struggling to attract and retain young professionals. Ann Arbor is not immune to this trend. Despite the hiring power of U-M, some local leaders predict that the 2010 census will reveal that the city has become, on average, older and smaller. Still, some young professionals are choosing to stay here - not only to live, but also to do business. And by doing so, they are investing in both their own, and the city's, future. Concentrate has invited a group of ambitious young entrepreneurs to chat about why they've decided to set up shop in Ann Arbor. They'll talk about both the challenges and opportunities of being here, what they'd like to see more (or less) of, and what they're hearing from their peers. The goal is to encourage a discussion about where the community is headed next and the best way to get there. Guests (so far) include: Al McWilliams, Quack!Media, Michael Watts, Hook LLC and Steve Colson and Mike Monan of Switchback. Refreshments provided. Free, but preregistration is required.

• Friday: Donuts and Search Marketing. 8:30-10 a.m. Pure Visibility Inc., 201 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Speaker: Catherine Juon or Linda Girard, co-founders of Pure Visibility. Overwhelmed by the vast world of Internet marketing? Pure Visibility can help with its Donuts and Search Engine Marketing seminar. This no-charge group session will give you an overview of search engine marketing, including search engine optimization, paid search advertising, and social media. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and for discussion. Doughnuts, coffee, and search marketing experts provided. Free. For more information, visit http://www.annarborusa.org/events/details?e=10522.

• Wednesday: Shifting Gears: New Economy Career Development Program Information. 5:30-7 p.m. Ypsilanti SPARK East, 215 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti. Shifting Gears is a 5-month intensive program with 3 phases that include a multi-functional small business knowledge base, practical project applications base, and a launching point base. Do you have large company corporate experiences and would like to make a change to a new environment? Would you like to make an investment in yourself and gain skills and experiences that will prepare you to adapt effectively to dynamic, innovative firms? Would you like to have a mentor and experience working with early stage entrepreneurs where you can make valuable, meaningful connections? If you answered yes to these questions, then you should come to an information session to learn more about the Shifting Gears Program and to see if it is right for you. There is a cost for the Shifting Gears program, but this informational session is free. For more information or to register, visit http://www.annarborusa.org/talent/find-opportunity/shifting-gears.

• Wednesday: Entrepreneur Education 2.0: Entrepreneur and Startup Ventures. 5-7 p.m. SPARK Central, 330 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. Speaker: Kurt Riegger, Business Engines. The Entrepreneur Education 2.0 series are programs designed for innovation-based entrepreneurs that are in the process of growing their company. Click here for more information or to register.

• Sept. 2: Michigan Energy Forum: Advanced Energy Storage. 5-7 p.m. SPARK Central, 330 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. Michigan's strength in the low carbon future will be standing on the shoulders of our manufacturing heritage. The coming $5.7 billion of investment in the advanced energy storage - or battery - industry demonstrates understanding our legacy and using it to drive our future. Come listen and learn why 16 new advanced energy storage companies are basing or growing themselves in Michigan. The mission of the forum is to facilitate collaboration and networking among practitioners, policymakers, investors and talent. Suggestions on topics and speakers for future events welcome. Free. Click here for more information.

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