SBA Proposes Revision of Size Standards To Expand Opportunities for Small Businesses

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration is proposing increases in the size definitions for three broad commercial sectors. The proposed increases cover size standards for 71 different types of businesses, two-thirds of them in retail trade sectors. The rest are in accommodations and food services, and other services. The changes, if adopted, will expand eligibility to small businesses and help them gain access to SBA’s financial assistance, contracting and other programs. “SBA has undertaken a comprehensive review of our size standards to ensure they are current and reflect changes in the economy and the marketplace,” SBA Administrator Karen Mills … Read more

GIE+Expo Attendance Dropped 15%

Although attendance data has been released for GIE+Expo 2009, the release focused only on the bright spots (something I am occasionally accused of!  A simple comparison with the information for 2008 shows overall attendance dipped from approximately 19,500 to 16,500 this year, a nearly 15% drop.  However, I would call that a good performance given the state of the economy and the industry.  And the bright spots they pointed out really were bright spots.

Final Attendance Figures for GIE+Expo Released

LOUISVILLE, KY – It’s been a tough year for many in the industry, but GIE+EXPO 2009 showed few traces of the economic downturn during Halloween weekend in Louisville, Ky., October 29-31. With nearly 16,600 participants for an all-inclusive event, dealer/retailer registrations were up 2 percent from 2008 with nearly 5,400.  About 6,300 lawn and landscape pros attended the show. And, specific attendance numbers show trends for economic rebound in 2010 as merchandiser/buyer registrations were up 18 percent, lawn & garden centers were up 25 percent and distributor numbers were up 9 percent from last year’s show. “These numbers bode well for the industry,” … Read more

Green Industry Conference Observations

We recently returned from three days at The Professional Landcare Network’s Green Industry Conference held in in Louisville during the giant Green Industry Expo+ The three days were filled with meetings, making new acquaintances and renewing old ones. Although trade show participation was no doubt down, the overall mood seemed to me to be upbeat.  We continued to meet green industry business owners focused on improving their businesses and seeking good opportunities.  Our tables were mostly full at the Breakfast of Champions. The Brickman Group set the tone  for the week when it announced its acquisition of D. Foley Landscapes … Read more

Report Shows Rebound in Business Sales

BizBuySell.com — a large internet business sale marketplace — recently released its report on business sale activty for the third quarter of 2009. The report suggests that the state of the small business economy is finally beginning to improve. The report shows a 24% year-over-year drop in closed small business transactions. While still lagging behind year-ago transaction numbers, the  report for the second quarter of 2009 showed a dramatic 50% decline in closed business sale transactions when compared to the same time period in 2008. Closed transactions are reported by business brokers nationwide. The data also supports the rebound in … Read more