SEC Finalizes Agenda for Forum on Small Business Capital Formation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2003-113

Washington, D.C., Sept. 12, 2003 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission has finalized the agenda for its annual Government-Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation, to be held on Sept. 22 and 23, 2003 in Arlington, Va.

The conference will begin with opening remarks by SEC Commissioner Cynthia A. Glassman. The agenda includes three general session panel discussions, each focusing on a current issue related to small business capital formation. Also included on the agenda are workshops on topical issues and breakout sessions. During the breakout sessions, forum participants will develop recommendations for government and private action to improve the environment for small business capital formation.

Doug Tatum, Chairman and CEO of Tatum Partners, will be the luncheon speaker on the first day of the forum, addressing the "adolescent" stage of corporate growth where many companies fail. Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), Chairman of the Small Business Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, will be the luncheon speaker on the second day of the forum. Congressman Manzullo is expected to speak on congressional efforts to improve the environment for small business capital formation.

For the first time, forum participants will use an electronic audience response system to express their views and priorities with respect to the various recommendations to be voted upon on the second day of the forum. This should result in a more accurate survey of the participants' opinions and enable the SEC staff to make more effective use of their resources in following-up on the recommendations of the forum.

The SEC has posted the forum agenda on its Web site at http://www.sec.gov/info/smallbus/sbforum.shtml, where registration forms and other information also are available. In addition, information may be obtained by calling the SEC Office of Small Business Policy at (202) 942-2950.