OREANDA-NEWS. May 14, 2015.  The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV), will hold its next Small Business – Big Opportunity symposium today in Colorado Springs, Colo., a state that ranks in the top 10 for small business friendliness by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. Held in partnership with the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance, the event will focus on cybersecurity and include remarks from Michael Echols from the Department of Homeland Security.

“The more than 500,000 small businesses in Colorado have been a consistent driver of the state’s recent economic expansion and job growth,” said Joan Woodward, President of the Travelers Institute and Executive Vice President of Public Policy at Travelers. “We look forward to taking Small Business – Big Opportunity to Colorado to help the state’s entrepreneurs manage risks so that their businesses can continue to thrive.”

In addition to cybersecurity, local community leaders will address strategies for accessing capital and building an effective business continuity plan.

Opening remarks will be delivered by Myles Gibbons, President of Select Accounts at Travelers. Woodward will give the keynote address on national and regional economic trends. She also will moderate a panel discussion on small business concerns and strategies. Panelists will include:

  • Michael Echols, Director, Joint Program Management Office, National Protection; and Program Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • Edward J. Cadena, District Director, Colorado District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration
  • Jeff Van Gulick, Practice Leader, Commercial Lines & Executive Liability Practices, HUB International of Colorado
  • John E. Putnam, Putnam Assurance & Risk Services, LLC

Matt Coleman, Vice Chair of the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance’s Board of Directors and President of HUB International of Colorado, commented, “Colorado small businesses face a complex set of risks on a daily basis, be it a wildfire, hackers, or other dangers that come from inside or outside of their ‘four walls.’ We are excited to partner with the Travelers Institute, and help Colorado small business owners better prepare for when they face the unexpected.”

The Travelers Institute launched Small Business – Big Opportunity in 2011 to raise awareness about a variety of concerns and solutions for the country’s more than 28 million small businesses. Visit www.travelersinstitute.org/smallbusiness for more information.

About the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance

The Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance is the leading business development organization in the Pikes Peak region. It was formed by the 2012 merger of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corporation. Its mission is to enhance its communities by serving the business development needs in its region so that the economic growth exceeds population growth.

About the Travelers Institute

The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc., engages in discussion and analysis of public policy topics of importance to the insurance marketplace and the financial services industry more broadly. The Travelers Institute draws upon the industry expertise of Travelers’ senior management, as well as the technical expertise of many of Travelers’ underwriters, risk managers, and other experts to provide information, analysis, and solutions to public policymakers and regulators. Travelers is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home, and business. For more information, visit www.Travelers.com.