The City of Knoxville is partnering with several organizations to host the Annual Small Business Conference on March 9, at Pellissippi State Community College's Magnolia Campus.

The 2011 version of the event is set for 8:30 a.m. until noon that Wednesday and, as always, is free.

It's aimed at helping small businesses better compete for government contracts and other opportunities and includes topics ranging from new Small Business Administration programs and small business resources offered by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to information about business opportunities with the City of Knoxville among other offerings.

The conference is part of an ongoing series of events offered by the city's Community Relations Department. Past conferences have focused on making sense out of "Going Green," identifying new sources of capital and learning how to better compete for federal stimulus monies.

"We always want to offer some great speakers who can provide fresh ideas or resources that can help folks involved in small business who are competing in a very tough economy right now ," said Joshalyn Hundley, coordinator of the city's Title VI and Equal Business Opportunity Programs. "Hopefully everyone who attends the conference will take something from it that will help them be more successful.

The featured speaker at this year's conference is Kathryn Mahoney, Business Development Coordinator with the Women Business Enterprise Council South, who will be talking about the organization and its certification programs.

Other speakers include Walter Perry with a presentation on new SBA programs and policies; Alison Broady will talk about IRS resources for small business; Internet Business Specialist Mercedes Campbell will talk about a new resources and Gwen Winfrey, a project specialist with the city's Community Development Department, will discuss some opportunities with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The annual conference always includes a session on bidding opportunities with the City of Knoxville and how to compete more effectively for the city's business. This year there will also be a discussion of opportunities with the $2.2 billion Tennessee Board of Regents System, the sixth largest public higher education system in the United States.

The TBR governs 45 institutions including state universities, community colleges and technology centers that collectively enroll nearly 200,000 students.

The 2011 Annual Small Business Conference is sponsored by the City of Knoxville, the Women Business Enterprise Council South, Pellissippi State Community College.