The Main Event by Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC

The Idaho Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) will celebrate 25 years of serving Idaho small businesses with a luncheon and small business awards ceremony on February 1st. Lt. Governor Brad Little will speak. Six idaho businesses that used the help of their local SBDC to take their business to the next level will be honored. Small Business Development Centers are located at colleges and universities around the nation. The six Idaho centers are located at Boise State University in Boise, North Idaho College in Post Falls, Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho State University in Pocatello and at ISU's Idaho Falls campus. Through the years the ISBDC has been instrumental in helping hundreds of businesses throughout Idaho. Some have gone on to become well-established chains, such as Smoky Mountain Pizza. Many have used the expert advice they received to better serve their customers and to create new jobs. If you need help wi...

Have you spent time on the Internet searching for resources for your reunion, party, wedding, or another event and then found your e-mail in-box filled with spam from companies offering you everything from the perfect location to the perfect dress to sunglasses for your outdoor event? If so, you are the victim of behavioral target marketing.  Behavioral advertising – the practice of tracking someone’s online activities to deliver targeted advertising – can raise potential privacy issues. When you visit commercial web sites, those sites may place a "cookie" on your computer. A "cookie" is a small bit of information placed on your computer's hard drive that can later be read back by the business who placed it there. This is useful because the browser "remembers" bits of specific information, such as your choices when filling out a form or survey. Some cookies are temporary; others are permanent and you must remove them from your computer when you delet...

The 32nd annual Wedding Party Show was this weekend. Over 1,150 brides came through along with grooms, parents, friends and others. In total, nearly 5,000 people attended. The show provided an opportunity for brides to connect with over 100 vendors who can provide the services needed for the perfect wedding. We had the opportunity to discuss locations, decor and other ideas with many of the attendees, including a group of high school students who are planning their prom. We were impressed with the vendors who reached out to the girls, offering discounts to their small school and one who offered to give a discount on tuxedos and donate a portion of each tux rental back to the school. Merchants like that make our community a great place to live. It is going to be a great year for weddings in southern Idaho!

Wish Upon a Wedding is a unique non-profit organization that plans weddings at no cost for a bride or groom suffering from a terminal illness or another life-altering situation. Started in California in January 2010, the organization is only a year old, but already boasts 16 chapters around the country with 14 more scheduled for 2011. In 2010 they planned 13 weddings in locations ranging from Chicago to Houston to California. Weddings are limited to 50 guests and must occur within 300 miles of a chapter location. WUW can arrange for the bride's gown, groom's attire, photography, venue, catering, music, cake and more. They do not secure clothing for members of the wedding party, alcoholic beverages, and other services that may not directly affect the bride or groom or that may not be available in the wedding location. What they can provide is special memories for the bride and groom and their guests. If you know someone who is seriously ill and would like to ...