AUBURN – The Corporate and Community Services Department at Central Maine Community College will host a Manufacturer’s Breakfast Forum on Tuesday Dec. 2 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

There is no cost to participants, however, pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

The forum will feature a panel of experts who will discuss the resources available to help manufacturers sustain and grow their companies. Panelists will be Matt Walker, oversight counsel to the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship; Diane Jackson, regional representative for U.S. Sen.Olympia Snowe; Ron McKinnon, business development specialist with the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD); Jerry Smith, from the Lewiston Career Center; and Mike Fernald, president of Spinnaker Technical Group.

Panel members will discuss a variety of issues and concerns facing Maine manufacturers and provide an overview of the work being done through Sen. Snowe’s office to address these issues. Information will be provided on loan programs, business counseling services and grant opportunities available from the state of Maine.

There will also be a special presentation on ISO certification and how it can reduce costs, improve productivity and increase wealth for manufacturers. Don Allen, vice president of Fancy Stitchers in Lewiston, will talk about his experience preparing his company for ISO certification and the grant money he received to train for certification.

To register or for more information, contact the Central Maine Community College Corporate & Community Services Department at 755-5280 or 1-800-891-2002, ext. 280, or e-mail to [email protected] or visit www.cmcc.edu/training.

Workshop to boost Web site traffic set

AUBURN – Improve Traffic To Your Website will be offered by the Corporate and Community Services Department at Central Maine Community College on Dec. 3 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The cost of the workshop is $65 and includes all materials.

The workshop is designed for companies trying to break through the Internet clutter and gain visibility for their Web site.

The workshop will offer a variety of offline and online marketing techniques to generate qualified visitors. Listing agents and low-cost advertising tools will also be discussed.

“It’s estimated that the World Wide Web contains over 5 billion Web pages with 7 million new pages being added daily,” noted Ken O’Brien, who will be facilitating the workshop. “This makes it particularly challenging to get customers to your Web site.”

O’Brien is the owner and founder of Computer Quest. He specializes in teaching professional development and computer programs for businesses in central Maine. His experience includes 15 years as a consultant and trainer in customer service, sales, supervision and computers.

Participants are encouraged to register by Dec. 1.

For more information or to register for the workshop, contact the Central Maine Community College Corporate & Community Services Department at 755-5280 or at 1-800-891-2002, ext. 280, or e-mail to [email protected] or visit www.cmcc.edu/training.