UPCOMING EVENTS

Major Asset Planning Series Seminars: Big Fish Real Estate will host "M.A.P.S." a series of six seminars from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on selected Saturdays through March 16 at 5351 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Topics include "Insurance Insuperably," a "Bring out your Shred Day," and a Q&A. Local residents are invited to mingle with area professionals and discuss relevant topics. The series is free and open to the public. Call for a detailed schedule. Information: 941-779-2289 or email jsandelman@bigfish0cam.com.

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance: The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance will host an executive briefing 7:30-9 a.m. Wednesday at Keiser University Auditorium, 6151 Lake Osprey Drive, Sarasota. Tracy O'Neill will present "Hiring Right." Cost: $15 members, $25 nonmembers. Registration and information: 941-757-1664 or visit www.LWRBA.org.

Fox Business Training Institute classes: Fox Business Training Institute offers a class "Empowering Yourself to be More Successful," 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday at the Wingate Hotel, 5464 Lena Road, Bradenton. Class will be led by Melissa Wandell. Cost: $30. Registration and information: 941-758-2404 or email andy@foxbizgroup.

South Manatee Business Coalition Webinar: The South Manatee Business Coalition. SCORE and USF Sarasota-Manatee will launch a live and web-based seminar 8:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday at USF Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The session will cover 2013 Business Financing Opportunities and Cash Flow. David Brooks, vice president at BB&T Bankand Bill Coole, SCORE Mentor will answer questions and seek feedback on these topics. Light refreshments willbe served. Webinar registration is open andcan be accessed athttp://bit.ly/YiDfce. In order to participate, attendeeswill need a computer, speakers (or headphones) and Internet connection to view and hear the materials. Information: http://www.spreecast.com/events/smbcscoreusfsm-2013-business-seminars.

MONTHLY/BIMONTHLY events

Action Business Club: meets 7:30-9 a.m., first and third Tuesdays, at River Club Country Club, 6600 River Club Blvd.

American Business Women's Association 1st Class Chapter: meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Tuesday for networking and at 6 p.m. for dinner, Bradenton Country Club, 4646 Ninth Ave. W., Bradenton. Dinner is $20. Contact Sharone Martinelli at 941-720-2380.

Manatee WCR Toastmasters Club: meets 6:30-8 p.m. first and third Mondays at Bible Baptist Church, 2113 Morgan Johnson Road, Bradenton. Contact Steve Zeris at 941-518-6450.

Michael Valley: local Edward Jones financial adviser, hosts a coffee club 9-10 a.m. the first Tuesday at 3226 East Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.

S.W.A.T. Networking: Successful Women Aligning Together-Bradenton meets for lunch 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Renaissance on 9th, 1816 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for guests. Bring business cards and brochures to share. Information: 941-962-0884, director@swatnetworking.com or www.SWATnetworking.com.

S.W.A.T. Networking: Successful Women Aligning Together-Lakewood Ranch meets for lunch from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the River Club in Lakewood Ranch, 6600 River Club Blvd. Cost is $11 for members, $16 for guests. Bring business cards and brochures to share. Information: 941-962-0884, director@swatnetworking.com or www.SWATnetworking.com.

S.W.A.T. Networking: Successful Women Aligning Together-Manasota meets for lunch 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Ramada Waterfront Hotel, 7150 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Cost is $11 for members, $16 for guests. Bring business cards and brochures to share. Information: 941-962-0884, director@swatnetworking.com or www.SWATnetworking.com.

WEEKLY EVENTS

MONDAY

Best of Lakewood Ranch: networking event, 5:30-7 p.m., Longwoodrun Grill & Pub, 5802 Longwoodrun Blvd., Sarasota. Call 941-388-7613.

Lassen's Leads Club-Business Partners of Sarasota Chapter: noon-1:15 p.m., Hillview Grill, 1920 Hillview St., Sarasota. $12; includes lunch. Contact Wendy Moore at 941-371-1151 or wendy@leadsfL.com or see www.leadsfL.com.

Lassen's Leads Club-Sarasota Women's Chapter: noon-1:15 p.m., 1920 Hillview St., Sarasota. $12; includes lunch. Contact Wendy Moore at 941-371-1151 or wendy@leadsfl.com, or see www.leadsfl.com.

Open Network Manasota: networking and lunch, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., The Bearded Clam, 7150 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $12 admission includes lunch. Call 941-504-9525.

Women's Resource Center of Sarasota County: 1 p.m.-3 p.m., 340 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota. $5 donation requested. This employment success class includes cutting-edge tips for today's resume, interviewing skills and job research strategies from a professional career adviser. Register at 941-366-1700.

TUESDAY

Business Networking International-Circle of Success Chapter: networking 7-9 a.m., Bradenton Country Club, 4646 Ninth Ave. W., Bradenton. $10, includes breakfast. Contact President Sarah Meaker, 941-773-5349 or Sarah@meakerandassociates.com or see bni.com.

Business Networking International-Lakewood Ranch Chapter: networking 7:30-9 a.m., Polo Grill and Bar, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch. First visit free and includes continental breakfast. Contact Michael Miele, 941-907-3828 or mmiele@mga-insurance.com, or see www.bni.com.

Lassen's Leads Club-Sarasota Professionals Chapter: 12:15-1:30 p.m., Mediterranean, 1970 Main St., No. 1, Sarasota. $14, includes lunch. Contact Wendy Moore, 941-371-1151 or wendy@LeadsFL.com, or visit www.leadsfl.com.

Lassen's Leads Club-West Coast Professionals Chapter: noon-1:15 p.m., IHOP, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Two member businesses speak each week; visiting businesses can present their services. Menu pricing. Contact Wendy Moore, 941-371-1151 or wendy@leadsfl.com, or visit www.leadsfL.com.

WEDNESDAY

Lakewood Ranch Professional Women's Networking Group: 12:30-1:30 p.m., The River Club, 6600 River Club Blvd. $12.50, includes lunch. RSVP by previous Tuesday to 941-313-5813. Information: www.lrpwng.com.

Suncoast Business Alliance Bradenton: 7:45 a.m., Perkins Restaurant, 6023 14th St. W., Bradenton. Register at www.meetup.com/SrqGrape/calendar/15504829.

THURSDAY

Best of Lakewood Ranch: networking event. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Longwoodrun Grill & Pub, 5802 Longwoodrun Blvd., Sarasota. Information: 941-388-7613.

Executive Network of Manatee: Business leads/referral group, 7:30 a.m., Days Inn Restaurant, 3506 First St. W., Bradenton. Contact Barbara Edwards, 941-792-2363, BERealtor@aol.com or www.executivenetworkmanattee.com.

Fox Business Group LLC: learn and lunch and networking meeting, noon-1 p.m., Country Pancake House and Restaurant, 8205 Natures Way, Lakewood Ranch. Contact Andy Fox at 941-758-2404 or andy@foxbizgroup.com.

Local Leads of Lakewood Ranch: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Bob Evans, 7393 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. Contact Chris Moss, 941-907-9149 or christopherlmoss@yahoo.com.

FRIDAY

Manasota Business Network: business support network, 8-9 a.m., Jennifer's Restaurant, 1401 Manatee Ave. W., No. 103, Bradenton. Seeking informational speakers and guests interested in becoming members. Contact Susan Humphreys at 941-737-1233 or garysueh@yahoo.com.

The University Professional Women's Chapter of Ali Lassen's Leads Club: noon-1:15 p.m., Bonefish Grill, 8101 Cooper Creek Blvd., Sarasota. The lunch fee is $15. For reservations and information contact Wendy Moore at 941-371-1151 or wendy@LeadsFL.com.

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Senior Corps of Retired Executives-Counselors to America's Small Business: one-on-one free counseling sessions for anyone starting a business or struggling with their business. Tuesdays at Manatee Chamber of Commerce-Lakewood Ranch, 4215 Concept Court, and Thursdays at Manatee Chamber of Commerce-Bradenton, 222 10th St. W., Bradenton. Appointments through Reba at 941-748-3411, ext. 100, or rebap@manatee chamber.com.

State College of Florida small business counseling sessions: 1-3 p.m. Mondays, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, 1945 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Appointments at 941-955-2508, ext. 520.

Women's Resource Center of Manatee: free employment strategies programs including developing an effective job search, career exploration, networking, interviewing skills and resume review. At 1926 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Appointments at 941-747-6797.

To list a business meeting or event, email Angie Monroe at amonroe@bradenton.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday before publication; items must include full address of meeting place, date and time of event, and a telephone number.