Business Opportunity Conference set for Oct. 24

COEUR d'ALENE - The 25th annual Idaho Business Opportunity Conference will take place Oct. 24 at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

The conference is an opportunity for Idaho manufacturers, contractors and distributors to meet with purchasing professionals from some of the Northwest's largest corporations and government agencies. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with one another and learn how various products and services can match up with purchasing needs. Seminars offering ways to improve business will also be offered.

The event is open to any Idaho business looking for new customers and expanded sales.

The seller registration will begin at 7:30 a.m.

The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is sponsored by the Idaho Commerce Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Treatment Group, URS Corp. and CH2M Hill.

Conference registration for Idaho businesses is $55 per person on or before Oct. 15 and $65 per person on or after Oct. 16.

The registration fee covers all seminars, access to all buyers and purchasing agents, breakfast and lunch. Cancellations are accepted until Oct. 20. Refunds are not available after that date.

For more information, visit http://ptac.idaho.gov.

Zumba instructor chosen for fundraiser at Northern Quest

Heidi Humbird, who teaches fitness locally at Peak Health, was one of three Zumba instructors chosen to help lead the third annual Party in Pink Zumbathon fundraiser for breast cancer research on Sunday at Northern Quest Casino near Spokane.

Instructors were chosen to participate based on an essay, number of Zumba licenses obtained and number of classes taught each week.

Zumba Fitness is a lifestyle brand that fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into a dance-party workout.

For more information on the Zumbathon, visit www.SpokanePartyinPink.com.

Jeffres named new full-time NIBCA executive officer

Larry Jeffres, part-time executive officer for North Idaho Building Contractors Association for the past two years, is now filling the position full time.

Based on board approval, the announcement of Jeffres' new and expanded position was made Sept. 18 at the monthly general membership meeting at the NIBCA office.

"We are happy to have Larry on board in this full-time position," said NIBCA's President, Barry Stearns of Timbered Ridge Homes. "For the past two and a half years Larry has performed his duties as a half-time employee and at this juncture for our association, we needed his full-time attention as we look to put recessionary times behind us."

Stearns described Jeffres' areas of focus as being in government affairs, membership recruitment and retention as well as being the primary point of contact between the NIBCA office and committee leadership.

"Larry will provide office operations oversight in his new role as well," Stearns said.

In addition to performing his duties at the NIBCA office on a part-time basis, Jeffres continued in his role as marketing director for R.C. Worst and Co. In his new and expanded position for NIBCA, Jeffres will continue to provide marketing support for R.C. Worst and Co. as a consultant.

NIBCA is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to promoting and protecting the local building industry as well as the rights of homeowners and the residents of North Idaho.

Kootenai Health's IT team wins 'IT Innovator' award

Kootenai Health's Information Technology department recently received the "IT Innovator" award from Healthcare's Most Wired and was featured in Hospitals and Health Networks magazine.

This award recognizes the IT team's plan to insource, innovate and expand Kootenai's technology while also improving patient care, safety and health. This process began in 2012, when Kootenai started restructuring and expanding its IT services. Because of this expansion, Kootenai is now able to provide its own technology support and services internally. Kootenai also provides services for Kootenai Clinic and an ever-growing number of critical access hospitals, physicians, community clients, and non-health care organizations throughout the region.

Info: kootenaihealthis.org.

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