Clark County business calendar

Tuesday

Green building: EcoVative Building Conference and Expo sponsors a one-day, regional, educational event for homebuilders, contractors and realtors to learn the latest sustainable building techniques, technology and trends, 7:30 a.m. at Holiday Inn Portland South, 25425 S.W. 95th St., Wilsonville, Ore. Keynote speaker will be Mark LaLiberte, who has 20 years experience in the building industry. Cost, $150. * http://www.ecovativeconference.com

Veterans benefits seminar: Kamlu Retirement Inn-Vancouver will be the site of a free educational seminar on the Veterans Administration’s Aid and Attendance program, which provides eligible veterans and surviving spouses up to $1,949 per month. The 10:30 a.m. seminar will include a short video presentation at the retirement center, 1000 N.E. 82nd Ave. Veterans must have served at least 90 days with one day during a declared war and satisfy certain financial and health requirements to be eligible. Refreshments provided. * Reservations, 360-695-9281.

Wednesday

Minority entrepreneurs: The Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs will have its annual luncheon and trade show, 10 a.m. at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland. The trade show will host more than 120 small and large businesses, government agencies and business development resources that assist minority women and emerging small businesses. The Oregon Association of Minority entrepreneurs was founded in 1987 to promote minority women, emerging small-business owners entrepreneurship and economic development. * Details and reservations, http://www.oame.org.

Landlord Study Hall: Free forum 6:30 to 8 p.m., All Saints Episcopal Church, 4033 S.E. Woodstock Blvd., Portland. Free monthly forum for rental property owners to learn more about landlord-tenant law. Topic: Kathryn King, principal broker of KJK Properties, will speak on proper forms for moving in a new tenant. * 503-997-9035 or 503-772-8825; kathryn@kjproperties.com; or http//www.landlordstudyhall.com.

Pension and benefits conference: The all-day Western Pension & Benefits conference spring seminar will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland. The event is targeted at benefits, human resource and finance professionals. James Klein, president of the American Benefits Council, will be the keynote speaker. This year’s theme is “The New Reality of Benefits.” Lunch hour will feature a panel of local health plan CEOs and the seminar also features 12 breakout sessions with recognized experts from across the country. * Register: 503-684-8469, http://www.westernpension.org.

Thursday

Networking event: Southwest Washington Human Resource Management Association Board, 5:30-7:30 p.m., networking for all human resource and business professionals and job seekers, The Rock Wood-Fired Pizza, 2420 Columbia House Blvd. Free; food for purchase. * Reservations by noon Thursday to Tracy Peterkin at tracy@tjandassociates.com.

Affordable housing seminar: Miller Nash LLP, a multi-specialty law firm focusing on business and litigation, will host its annual Affordable Housing Conference, 8:30 a.m., Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland. The one-day educational seminar will feature regional and national leaders who will share insight on financing, developing and building low-income housing projects. Admission, $175-$215. * http://www.millernash.com/AH2011, 503-205-2608.

Friday

How to connect: Kathy Condon, executive coach, will give tips for connecting with people at the East Vancouver Business Association Net Event at 8 a.m. Beacock Music and Eduction Center, 1420 S.E. 163rd Ave., will host the event. Condon’s second book, “Face-to-Face Networking: It’s all about Communication” is soon to be released. * Justin White, 360-601-0585 or justin@evba.net.

Upcoming

Mobile-focused companies: A one-day conference and networking event, MobileNorthwest, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 16 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 mobile strategies. Topics include mobile strategies, enterprise app development, user interfaces, mobile payment systems and emerging legal issues in the mobile space. Cost, $175-$225. * Register, http://www.mobilenorthwest.org, organizers@mobilenorthwest.org.

Aspiring business owners: Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council and other organizations will offer a one-day free conference, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17, 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 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. May 17 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.

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, May 17-19 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, $225 members or $275 others. * Registration: http://www.orosha.org/conferences or http://www.regionxvpppa.org.

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 May 18 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. Attendees will receive a workbook and a reference guide to Department of Revenue rules and regulations. Space is limited. A complete schedule of workshops statewide and a 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. May 18 at Holiday Inn Express, 2333 N.W. Vaughn St., Portland. Cost, $59. * Register, http://www.nonverbalsolutions.com or 503-522-8038.

Financial seminars: Columbia Credit Union offers several free financial seminars: Homebuying 101, 6:30 p.m. May 18 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.

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