Whether you are looking to start a new business or are continuing to build on the success of your current business, the Parker Chamber of Commerce is inviting small, locally owned businesses to join the inaugural Parker Chamber Symposium on July 10.

“We wanted to dedicate the first Parker Chamber Symposium to the theme of small business survival,” said T.J. Sullivan, Parker Chamber of Commerce CEO and president.

While the chamber may not know the exact number of small and locally owned businesses within Parker, there are various businesses ranging from diners and coffee shops to home improvement companies and bookstores.

Having recently reached 500 member businesses in late June, the Parker Chamber of Commerce aims to support and promote businesses to create a healthy and thriving community.

Over time, the town has continued to grow, bringing significant residential and commercial growth with it.

This includes the upcoming luxury apartment and retail development along Mainstreet in downtown Parker and the ongoing Looking Glass development in the southern portion of the town.

There will also be new employment opportunities with the expansion of AdventHealth Parker hospital, the addition of Safran Defense & Space Inc. and Chicken N Pickle event space, and the upcoming data center development.

With this growth, the chamber wanted to help smaller businesses and startups learn how they can compete for their share of the market.

“We wanted to go on the offense to preserve the ability for residents to successfully start and own small businesses here,” Sullivan said.

Current and prospective business owners will have the chance to hear from Ashvinal Patel, the executive director of the Aurora South-Metro Small Business Development Center, which is a nationally accredited program.

The Aurora South-Metro Small Business Development Center focuses on assessing business strategy and developing skill sets to be able to stay competitive in an ever-changing market.

The day will include breakout sessions that discuss numerous topics such as commercial space, HR compliance, financing for scale-up and succession planning.

Additionally, a survey in April revealed that more than half of the chamber businesses that participated said they anticipate moderate or significant impacts from the nation’s economic state, trade tensions and tariffs, with 18% indicating a slight impact.

The survey also revealed that some businesses were planning on reducing their staff, making cuts to marketing budgets, trimming overhead costs and improving client relationships.

Marketing, cash flow, customer retention and finding and retaining employees will also be topics discussed during the symposium’s breakout sessions.

The day will conclude with a town staff panel to answer questions and offer tips for successfully launching a new enterprise.

“We want Parker to be a place where an entrepreneur’s dream can take root,” Sullivan said.

The symposium, which is open to non-chamber members, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Parker Schoolhouse, located at 19650 Mainstreet.

Register at tinyurl.com/Parker-Symposium-Registry