Clark County business calendar

Monday

Mobile-focused companies: A one-day conference and networking event, MobileNorthwest, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2203 Alaskan Way, Seattle. The event is for mobile-focused companies, investors and developers and those seeking to develop and refine their mobile strategies. Topics include mobile strategies, enterprise app development, user interfaces, mobile payment systems and emerging legal issues in the mobile space. Cost is $175-$225. * Register, http://www.mobilenorthwest.org, organizers@mobilenorthwest.org.

Tuesday

Business presentation workshop: An exploratory session for businessmen and women to learn what is necessary to become an exceptional presenter, 5:30 to 7 pm. at 953 Officers Row. Free. * Register, http://www.businesspresentersworkshop.com.

Self-employment conference: Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council and other organizations will offer a one-day free conference, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St., to help individuals who are considering starting a business. Guest speakers include Mark Paul, managing partner of Synergy Consultant Group and author of “The Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide,” and Gayle Beacock, co-owner of Beacock Music and Eduction Center. Lunch is not provided. * http://www.swwdc.org or businesstruths@gmail.com.

Diversity conference: Southwest Washington Human Resources Management Association 2011 Diversity and Inclusion conference, 7:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Royal Oaks Country Club, 8917 N.E. Fourth Plain Road. Cost, $35 to $79. * Register, http://www.swhrma.org/index.php/event?id=96.

Tuesday-Thursday

Workplace safety: Innovative workplace safety and health information and industry best practices will be showcased at the Region X Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association conference at Red Lion Hotel on the River in Portland. The VPPPA organization is dedicated to cooperative occupational safety, health and environmental management systems through partnerships with employees, management and government. Dan Clark, author of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, will be the keynote speaker. Cost is $225 members, $275 for others . * Registration: http://www.orosha.org/conferences or http://www.regionxvpppa.org.

Wednesday

Women Entrepreneurs Organization of Vancouver, Washington: Monthly dinner meeting begins with networking at 5 p.m. at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Drive, Vancouver. Terri Shinners, business image consultant, will speak about creating your magnetic image. Cost is $35 members, $40 guests. Fee includes dinner. Reservations required: http://www.weowa.org or reserve@weowa.org, 360-907-4407.

Free tax workshop: The Vancouver office of the Washington state Department of Revenue is hosting a free workshop for new and small business owners, 9 a.m. to noon at 8008 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Suite 340, Vancouver. Participants will learn about Washington excise taxes, reporting classifications, deductions, tax incentives, sales tax collection and record-keeping requirements. All receive a workbook and a reference guide to Department of Revenue rules and regulations. Space is limited. A complete schedule of workshops statewide and short streaming video version of the workshop in English and Spanish are available on the Web site. * Register http://www.dor.wa.gov or 360-256-2060.

Interview skills workshop: Portland career coach Stacey Lane will present a job interview skills workshop, “Beyond a Firm Handshake: Acing the Interview Before you Speak,” 5:30 p.m. at Holiday Inn Express, 2333 N.W. Vaughn St., Portland. Cost is $59. * Register, http://www.nonverbalsolutions.com, 503-522-8038.

Financial seminars: Columbia Credit Union offers several free financial seminars: Homebuying 101, 6:30 p.m. at 200 S.E. Park Plaza Drive; estate planning, 6:30 p.m. May 19 at 200 S.E. Park Plaza Drive; and commercial property 101, 4:30 p.m. May 26 at 200 S.E. Park Plaza Drive. * http://www.columbiacu.org or 360-891-4000.

Thursday

Retirement seminar: Edward Jones financial advisor Vicki Fitzsimmons will host a “Making Sense of Retirement” seminar, 5:30 p.m. at 9901 N.E. Seventh Ave., Suite A102. * Reservations, http://www.edwardjones.com or 360-573-6604.

Upcoming

Neil Kelly Design, Build & Remodeling free seminars: Designers teach all sessions and share trends in design, and information on new materials and techniques, as well as review on the professional design/build process. The free one-hour sessions are informal in style, allowing for plenty of questions and discussion. May 21 sessions at the Lake Oswego showroom, 15573 S.W. Bangy Road, include: 10 a.m., bath design and remodeling; 11 a.m., kitchen design and remodeling; noon, Dacor appliance cooking demonstration and complimentary menu tasting. On May 25, Lake Oswego location: 12:30 p.m., bath design and remodeling. Aat the same time at the east-side showroom, 804 N. Alberta, Portland will be a seminar on kitchen design and remodeling. Both showrooms will remain open until 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21 and until 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 so visitors can explore kitchen and bath exhibits. * Information and schedule: http://www.neilkelly.com or 503-335-9204.

Legal planning for older people: A free community class, “The Legal Side of Aging: Strategies to Protect Your Assets and Health,” 11 a.m. May 25 at Clark County Family YMCA, 11324 N.E. 51st Circle. * http://www.ymca-clarkcounty.org, 360-885-9622.

PAC fundraiser: The Building Industry Association of Clark County will host the Argentstratus Gala Auction for Political Action, beginning with a social hour at 6 p.m. May 26, followed by dinner and auction at 7 p.m. at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 NE Greenwood Drive. The keynote address will be by Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna. All proceeds benefit the building industry’s political action efforts to elect pro-industry, pro-business and pro-jobs candidates who support fiscally responsible policy. Cost is $45 by May 20; $50 after May 20. * Advanced registration is required, http://www.biaofclarkcounty.org.

Society of American Military Engineers: Meeting at 11:30 a.m. June 1, Governor Hotel card room, 614 S.W. 11th Ave., Portland. Topic: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division sustainability update. Cost, $20 for members with reservations, $30 without reservations or for non-members and $10 for student members. * Reservations necessary by May 25; Kim Seymour, same.pdx.rsvp@gmail.com, 503-499-0541.

To submit items to the business calendar, send information to mary.ricks@columbian.com or fax 360-735-4491. Sales awards are not published.