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St. Louis Mayor Slay, SLDC Salute Area Businesses Making a Difference at 2009 Business Celebration Luncheon

Business of the Year awards were presented to businesses of various sizes that made special commitments to or investments in the city, including a neighborhood business from each of the City's 28 wards.

Michelle Maple, Supervisor, Commercial District Program, SLDC, (center) congratulated Zella and Slim Cox, Cox Furniture, representing the 20th Ward on their recognition as a Neighborhood Business of the Year.

St. Louis Mayor Slay, SLDC Salute Area Businesses Making a Difference
by Betty Moore, SLFP.com
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), October 11, 2009 - St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay and the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) hosted the annual City of St. Louis' Business Celebration Luncheon, Friday, October 9, at the America's Center.

The large gathering of nearly 1,200, representing large and small businesses, heard Mayor Slay praise the entrepreneurialism that has characterized our region for most of its history, in both established businesses and as well as in new businesses.

"It has never been more important than it is today," stated the Mayor. "You will hear about people with can-do attitudes who overcame challenges, sometimes great challenges to realize their dreams. You will hear about people whose business it is to make sure that we view diversity not as a problem but as an opportunity," stated the Mayor.

The mayor noted that change agents in a variety of for-profit and non-profit industries are making their own operations more environmentally sustainable and businesses that help them do so.

"Today, sustainability is good business," emphasized the Mayor. "Today, diversity is good business. And, today change is the key to a good business."

The Mayor also spoke in glowing terms about the young entrepreneurs." We are embracing our young leaders of tomorrow to reap the benefit of combining their creativity, freshness, ideas and idealism with our experience and our ability to get things done."

The City of St. Louis Business Celebration Luncheon began in 2002 as a way of thanking the business community for its commitment to the City. At the conclusion of his remarks, Mayor Slay offered his deep appreciation to the continued commitment by businesses represented in the audience. "Your committment has played an important part in the city's success. "Without you we wouldn't be here today," stated the Mayor.

Mayor Slay, along with Rodney Crim, executive director of SLDC, presented awards for Businesses of the Year to: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri; Bowood Farms; Butler's Pantry; Culinaria - a Schnucks Market; Elantas PDG, Inc.; Habitat Building Products; Hotel Indigo St. Louis; J. Williams Mechanical Contracting; Lang-Stegmann Co.; Renaissance Financial; TurnGroup Technologies; Vector Communications; and, Weissman Theatrical Supply.

Also under this category, 28 City businesses - once per City ward - were honored as Neighborhood Businesses of the Year.

Awards were presented for Developers/Developments of the Year to: 3949 Lindell; 9 North; Crown Square; Highlands Plaza Two; Moonrise Hotel; Villa Lighting Supply; and Washington University in St. Louis.

The Quality of Life Awards were presented to: the Old Post Office Plaza; Citygarden; and Today and Tomorrow Education Foundation.

The Mayor's Awards was presented to: International Institute of St. Louis; Small Business & Technology Development Center; and, St. Louis Minority Business Council.

The luncheon also spotlighted new technology with an unusual twist. Attendees were encouraged not to turn off their Blackberry's, but to provide comments through the SLDC's Twitter which would then be displayed on the large screens at the front of the room. Many were delighted to oblige by offering lively comments (140 characters or less) ranging from congratulations on awards to a request for someone to pass the rolls.

Small Businesses Question Usefulness of Social Networking Websites
ST. LOUIS, MO, (PRNewswire-FirstCall), October 11, 2009 - Few small business owners and managers are joining the consumer trend towards increasingly using social networking websites and services, according to a new Citibank / GfK Roper survey.

According to the survey of 500 small business executives across the United States, 76 percent have not found social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to be helpful in generating business leads or for expanding their business during the last year, while 86 percent say they have not used social networking sites to get business advice or information.

The survey found that general search engine sites such as Google and Yahoo! trump small business-focused sites and the WSJ.com as destinations for small business owners to seek business advice or information. 61 percent of respondents say they rely on these search engine sites.

"Our survey suggests that small business owners are still feeling their way into social media, particularly when it comes to using these tools to grow their businesses," said Maria Veltre, Executive Vice President of Citi's Small Business Segment. "While social media can provide additional channels to network and help grow a business, many small businesses may not have the manpower or the time required take advantage of them."

Forty-two percent of small business owners and managers reported that in the past year they have made greater use of their company's website to generate business leads and sales. Among companies with 20 to 99 employees the percentage rises with 57 percent saying they have made greater use of their website. Survey respondents are also using email marketing (28 percent) and online advertising (25 percent) to generate business leads and sales.

The omnibus poll was conducted for Citibank Small Business via telephone by GFK Roper during the period August 20-27, 2009 and surveyed a sample of 500 small business executives across the United States. The margin of error is approximately +/- 3.5 percent.

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