MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) and the Women's Business Center at the Florida Institute of Technology will host a free seminar designed to assist leaders of women-owned businesses how to create and implement a successful marketing plan with limited resources. Titled "How to Market your Business on a Limited Budget," this event takes place on Friday, Nov. 7, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the TRDA Business Innovation Center, 1050 W. NASA Blvd. in Melbourne.

Featured speakers include Gwen Griffin, managing director and owner, Griffin Integrated Marketing; Jeff Piersall, president, Space Coast Business Media Group LLC and Sue Tyson-Parker, advertising sales executive, Florida Today.

These presenters will share their insights and tips on developing a solid integrated marketing strategy; tips and tricks of cost-effective advertising and much more.  The panel discussion will be followed by a question and answer session.

Gwen Griffin

Founder and managing director of Griffin Integrated Marketing with offices in Satellite Beach and Houston, Griffin has nearly 25 years experience in guiding companies through the integrated use of marketing communications tools. Since founding the company in 1997, she has successfully grown her woman-owned business to become a leading agency in the aerospace and economic development sectors. The agency has held the rank as the fourth largest communications/PR firm in Houston for the past few years. A sample of clients with strong brand recognition include NASA, the Coalition for Space Exploration, Sprint PCS and Starwood Hotels Worldwide.  Prior to launching her company, Griffin's career path has included positions such as the Director of Marketing for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Area Marketing Manager for Southwest Airlines and Senior Account Manager for Edelman Public Relations Worldwide. 

Jeff Piersall

Piersall is co-founder and president of Space Coast Business Media Group LLC, a Melbourne-based marketing services company that publishes Spacecoast Business and SpaceCoast Living. His corporate experience includes serving as Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Vulcan Binder, a division of EBSCO Industries; Vice President of International Sales for Reliv International; Vice President of Sales for The Limu Company; and CEO/President of Legacy for Life. Piersall also provides consulting services to numerous start-ups, as well as private and publicly held companies.

Sue Tyson-Parker

Sue Tyson-Parker is an advertising account executive with Florida Today. She has worked with numerous businesses on their sales and marketing outreach programs.  She is active in the community and has worked extensively with the Indialantic Rotary Club on many community service projects. She recently played a key role in the formation of a new American Business Women's Association (ABWA) Express network.

Register for the seminar online at http://www.trda.org/ or contact Bonnie O'Regan at boregan@trda.org or call 321.872.1050, Ext. 107. Seating is limited.

About the Women's Business Center

The Women's Business Center (WBC) at the Florida Institute of Technology offers training, resources and services targeting the needs of a diverse group of clientele. This includes on-site and remote training and mentoring on a wide range of business topics, as well as online counseling sessions with experts in the field. For more information, contact Donn Miller-Kermani at dkermani@fit.edu or visit http://www.wbc.fit.edu/.

About TRDA 

The TRDA Business Innovation Center helps start-up technology firms in Central Florida grow into financially viable, freestanding, high-growth companies. It offers clients access to intensive mentoring, modern office space, shared office resources, business services, professional development and training, investor networking and more for one monthly fee.

Launched in 1987, the TRDA is an agency of the state of Florida that leverages federal, state and private resources to develop and implement technology-based programs in four target areas:  education, business incubation, energy and technology transfer. Since its inception, the TRDA has leveraged tens of millions of dollars in funding to support its education and economic development programs. By infusing new technology into businesses and schools, the TRDA helps to strengthen the economy and education throughout the state and nation. For more information, visit http://www.trda.org/.

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