MONDAY

VALPARAISO | Northwest Indiana Professional Networking meets from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Mondays at the South Bend Chocolate Cafe, 57 Franklin St. NIPN members meet to network and chat with others who are in career transition. There is no fee. For information, call (219) 464-4861 or e-mail nipn@kvworks.org.

TUESDAY

CROWN POINT | The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will conduct a small business financing program on from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Purdue University Technology Center, 9800 Connecticut Drive. The program will provide guidance to prepare small business owners for meeting with a lender. Reservations are required. The program is free. For more information or to RSVP, contact Maggie Havens at (219) 989-2121.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS | Prairie State College's Career Development Services will host its annual spring job fair from 4 to 7 p.m. in the atrium of the college, 202 S. Halsted St. For more information, call (708) 709-3755 or visit www.prariestate.edu.

VALPARAISO | Small business operators are invited to Duneland Chapter of Business Networking International from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Strongbow Inn. For information, call Sandy Boland at (219) 926-2505.

GARY | Managers, business owners and sales professionals are invited to the Indiana Business Professionals Chapter of the Networking Club from 7:30 to 8 a.m. Tuesdays at The Baker's House upstairs meeting room, 6004 Miller Ave. For information, call Tammie Galloway at (888) 263-6926, ext 1.

HAMMOND | The North Lake Chapter of BNI (Business Networking International) meets from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays in the Chops Room at Majestic Start Casino's hotel. For more information, call Michael Pelz at (219) 977-2090 or (815) 370-2940.

VALPARAISO | Business professionals are invited to the Business to Business Development Group from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. Tuesdays downstairs at the Fifth Third Bank building, 56 Washington St. For more information, call Jack Kinsey at (219) 531-5331.

WEDNESDAY

MERRILLVILLE | The fourth annual NWI Housing Summit Conference will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, 800 E. 81st Ave. Cost for the public is $40 ($50 after April 11). Cost for real estate agents and attorneys is $50 ($60 after April 11). Lunch tables and booths are available. For more information, call Sharron Liggins at (219) 881-5075 or Brenda Scott-Henry at (219) 883-4151 or visit www.nwihsc.net.

CROWN POINT | The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will conduct a small business informational seminar on obtaining federal contracting certifications from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Purdue University Technology Center, 9800 Connecticut Drive. Reservations are required. The seminar is free. For more information or to RSVP, contact Maggie Havens at (219) 989-2121.

CROWN POINT | Applications will be accepted for U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Community Express Business loans at a workshop from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Purdue University Technology Center, 9800 Connecticut Drive. This workshop will provide important information on how to start or grow a successful for-profit business. Reservations are required. The seminar is free. For more information or to RSVP, contact Maggie Havens at (219) 989-2121.

CALUMET CITY | The Calumet City Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Tom's Restaurant, 894 Burnham Ave. This is a networking event for business people and attendees should bring business cards and promotional items. RSVP to the chamber at (708) 891-5888 or fax response to (708) 891-8877.

SCHERERVILLE | The Highland-Griffith chapter of Leads Club meets at 8:15 a.m. Wednesdays at St. John Township Community Center, 1515 U.S. 30. Call Luba Petryna Balacky at (219) 201-6874 or visit www.leadsclub.com.

CROWN POINT | Indiana Business Professionals chapter of the Leads Club meets at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Schoop's Restaurant, 1124 N. Main St. Call Michelle Frey at (219) 662-9729 or e-mail mkmfrey@yahoo.com or visit www.leadsclub.com.

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso chapter of Leads Club meets at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Fifth Third Bank, 56 S. Washington St. (on the Courthouse square). Call Barbara Rivera at (219) 759=4274 or e-mail efnbarb@aol.com or visit www.valpoleads.com.

THURSDAY

PORTAGE | Business professionals are invited to the fifth annual BON (Business Opportunity Night) on from 4 to 7 p.m at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. This networking opportunity is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce at (219) 762-3300.

HOBART | The annual meeting for the Northwest Indiana World Trade Council will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Avalon Manor, 3550 E. U.S. 30. The main speaker is Lee Lane, president and attorney with Hoeppner, Wagner and Evans. Cost is $16 for members and students with a reservation and $18 for nonmembers or at the door. Registerby e-mailing nwiwtc@hotmail.com or calling (219) 670-3018.

HOBART | The Hobart library and Hobart Chamber of Commerce are hosting a business after hours from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lake County Public Library's Hobart branch, 100 N. Main St. RSVP required by calling the library at 942-2243.

SCHERERVILLE | A BNI (Business Networking International) business development group meets at 7 a.m. Thursdays at the Paragon Restaurant at 1545 W. U.S. 30. Call Michael Pelz at (219) 977-2090 for more information.

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Business League meets at 7 a.m. Thursdays at the Round-the-Clock restaurant, 217 E. Lincolnway. Contact Kim Michalski at (219) 510-3674 for more information.

FRIDAY

MERRILLVILLE | Northwest Indiana Networking Professionals meet at 7:15 a.m. Fridays at Towne Center Retirement Community, 7250 Arthur Blvd. (73rd Avenue, east of Taft). Contact Beverley Steinman at catchbev@sbcglobal.net or (219) 730-1262. Info: www.nwinetworking.org.

APRIL 28

HOBART | South Shore Clean Cities hosts a conference, "Biofuels: Moving Indiana Forward!" from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Avalon Manor, 3550 E. U.S. 30. Learn about the advantages of quality biofuel usage and the importance of lessening America's dependence on foreign oil. Registration is $35. For registration form or for more information, go to www.southshorecleancities.org, e-mail southscc@comcast.net or call (219) 365-4289.

APRIL 29

MERRILLVILLE | The Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors is hosting a property tax seminar from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, 800 E. 81st Ave. Local government officials will serve as panelists. The seminar is free and advanced registration is not required. For more information, call Peter Novak, CEO of GNIAR, at (219) 795-3600.

MAY 7

CROWN POINT | The Greater Crown Point Chamber of Commerce and the Crown Point Rotary Club will host a business after hours from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Old Courthouse Miki Ballroom. For more information or to RSVP, call (219) 663-1800.

MAY 8

UNIVERSITY PARK | The CenterPoint for Entrepreneurs at Governors State University is hosting a Veterans Entrepreneurial Boot Camp from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Veterans Entrepreneurial Boot Camp is offered at no cost to veterans or the families/business partners of those serving in the military. Seating is limited to 100 participants and registration is required. For additional information or to register, contact The CenterPoint for Entrepreneurs at (708) 534-4929 or info@centerpointgsu.com.

MAY 22

MERRILLVILLE | Partners in Contracting Corporation presents, "2008 Government Contract Procurement Conference ," from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, U.S. 30 and Interstate 65. Cost is $90 per person. There will be a networking reception at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 21. Go to www.piccorp.org to register or call (219) 916-5660.

To read more calendar, visit www.nwitimes.com/business. To include an item in the local business calendar, send event information, time, date, cost and location to: business@nwitimes.com or fax to (219) 933-3249.