LAN Systems to Sponsor Amazing Entrepreneur Contest

LAN Systems announced that it will be a platinum sponsor for the Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett fifth annual Amazing Entrepreneur Contest.

Berkeley Lake, GA (USA), April 23rd, 2015 — LAN Systems announced that it will be a platinum sponsor for the Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett fifth annual Amazing Entrepreneur Contest. The contest is in collaboration with The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and recognizes the best business plan summary in two categories – Established Business and Pre-Venture – will award more than $17,000 in cash and prizes to Gwinnett County startups.

“Gwinnett entrepreneurs make significant contributions to our community and as we enter our fifth year, we’re expecting more of them than ever to participate in the Contest and start to engage with the great support services in the region,” stated Mark Farmer, Director for Entrepreneurship for Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett.

In addition to the $10,000 cash award, the Grand Prize winner will also receive consultation with Arnall Golden Gregory ($3,000 value), a one-year Gwinnett Chamber membership ($500 minimum value), passes to attend the Chamber’s Small Business ($120 value), and a scholarship to the SBDC Grow Smart program ($985 value), among other prizes.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the source of job creation for hard-working people in this community,” stated Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash. “With the right tools, these businesses and entrepreneurs will drive innovation. The Amazing Entrepreneur Contest provides just the support that startups need and encourages small business development throughout our community.”

The University of Georgia SBDC has partnered with Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett to host this contest since its inception in 2010. “The Amazing Entrepreneur Contest is such an impactful way of celebrating Gwinnett’s small business community and offering essential business development resources at the same time,” commented said Mark Butler, Area Director at The University of Georgia SBDC. “We are pleased to be a partner of this awards program for the fifth year and we’re excited to see the growth in local small business and entrepreneurship.”

The winner of the Pre-Venture category will receive a scholarship to the SBDC Start Smart program ($495 value) and accounting services from John Dillard, CPA ($300 value). All contestants receive a free Business Plan class at the SBDC.

New this year is an Amazing Entrepreneur reception, where attendees will get the chance to vote in a new special Pre-Venture category, for the Best Investment Opportunity. The winner will receive one pass to attend the Gwinnett Chamber’s Small Business Summit ($59 value).

The Amazing Entrepreneur Contest platinum sponsors are Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (Jackson EMC), LAN Systems and The Myers Group and Silver sponsors are Creative Contacting and Metro Atlanta Chamber.

“LAN Systems is delighted to sponsor the contest for the second year in a row,” said Mary Hester, LAN Systems CEO. “We are an entrepreneurial company and offer our support to others that want to live their dream and grow their business.”

For more information on the Amazing Entrepreneur Contest, please visit http://www.amazingentrepreneurcontest.com.

For more information on Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development’s small business and entrepreneurial efforts, please visit http://www.gwinnettentrepreneur.com. To receive updates and reminders on Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development’s small business and entrepreneurial efforts, click here.

About LAN Systems:
LAN Systems is a leading Atlanta Computer Support company that provides people-focused IT solutions. As technology experts, LAN Systems helps companies make the most of their existing IT investment and choose the right solutions to fuel growth. LAN Systems is a leading provider of IT Solutions for growing businesses in the Metro Atlanta. For more information, visit: www.lansystems.com

Press & Media Contact:
Lauren VanBuskirk
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
LAN Systems
4711 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Berkeley Lake, GA 30092 – USA
770-662-0312
lauren@lansystems.com
http://www.lansystems.com

Award-winning Picture Book Helps Children to Ease their Bedtime Fears

No matter our age, we all struggle when faced with fears and Author Alicia Lloyd has written a picture book for children of all ages, and accompanied by soft and atmospheric illustrations portraying thrills and chills that capture the imagination of children in the dark hours of night.

Oxford, PA (USA), April 23rd, 2014 — No matter our age, we all struggle when faced with fears and Author Alicia Lloyd has written a picture book for children of all ages, and accompanied by soft and atmospheric illustrations portraying thrills and chills that capture the imagination of children in the dark hours of night.

“When the Monsters are Quiet” (published by Halo Publishing, Int.), is a fun way children can start to become proficient readers by reading about one of their biggest worries- bedtime! This book is a reminder never to be afraid of your monsters and has helpful hints for parents to help their children by exploring with early reading strategies at home. This fun book is told from the perspective of a young boy, who hears noises that trigger the scariest images of monsters wondering around his house late at night, until he discovers they are the sounds of his mother getting ready for bed.

“All children at one point in their lives hear unfamiliar and scary noises while trying to drift off into sleep. As soon as they get scared, they start thinking of all these scary things that can happen,” says Alicia. “The main message is just to remember that noises can just be familiar noises, like in this case, your mom going to bed. Being afraid of monsters is common, however; I am hoping my book sends the message to never be afraid of their monsters, no matter what their monsters may be in life.”

Alicia Lloyd’s picture book “When the Monsters are Quiet” is the winner of the 2015 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award. The purpose of the award is to stimulate an interest in reading in students from Preschool to Grade 6 and expose them to quality literature. Each year the committee prepares three lists, one for preschool students, one for primary students in grades K-3, and one for intermediate students in grades 4-6. Teachers promise to read to or have their students read at least four books from the appropriate lists. In March the students vote for their favorite and the winner is honored at the Book and Author Luncheon at the annual KSRA conference in October 2015.

“I feel extremely honored and thankful for winning this award,” says Alicia. “I was shocked at first and just happy to be nominated, but winning wasn’t something I expected and I’m ecstatic that so many kids liked my book. The greatest gift is hearing the experience some children have had with my book. I love hearing how they take it to school with them and read my book to their class. My favorite part is hearing how they aren’t afraid of bedtime anymore.”

Besides helping children deal with bedtime fears and build self-confidence, Alicia Lloyd’s picture book helps build upon 1st grade reading levels with phonemic awareness and reading comprehension strategies within the context of the story and in the back of the book parents will find helpful tips so their kids can become star readers.

“My hope is Alicia’s book becomes better known through this award so it can help parents and kids work together to become better readers and writers,” says Halo Publisher Lisa M. Umina.

You can purchase “When the Monsters are Quiet” through Amazon, B&N and Halo Publishing, Int. website. The book is available for Kindle and Nook, and available in 40,000 databases in over 100 countries.

Biography:
Alicia Lloyd is a student at West Chester University of Pennsylvania and is working towards her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Grades Preparation (PK-4) and Special Education. She has a strong passion for working with children and loves to write! She is also a member of the International Literacy Association.

In October 2015, Alicia Lloyd will be out speaking at local libraries in the Oxford, PA area, reading to young children and will be sharing monster tips on her Facebook page.

She invites anyone to contact her through her email: neverbeafraidofurmonsters@yahoo.com or her book’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/whenthemonstersarequiet. Contact the author to share any experience, discuss readings and signings, and get signed copies.

When the Monsters are Quiet by Alicia Lloyd, illustrations by Amy Rottinger, publisher Halo Publishing, Int., ISBN: 978-1-61244-219-8, Price: $11.95

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700-176
San Antonio, TX 78213 – USA
+1 877-705-9647
contact@halopublishing.com
http://www.halopublishing.com