As they faced of a climate of economic concern, about 300 business owners gathered Wednesday at John Ascuaga’s Nugget in a united quest to grow their businesses.

The ninth annual Sparks Chamber of Commerce Business Forum brought companies and business development speakers under one roof in an effort to stimulate business development in the Sparks and Reno areas. About 220 businesses were represented at the forum with many businesses lining the hallways with tables and handouts.

According to executive director of the Sparks Chamber of Commerce, Len Stevens, the event’s goal was to build business confidence, share struggles and ideas and promote personal development.

“The biggest thing is that during these times we are all aware that it is not business as usual,” Stevens said. “(The Business Forum) plays a role as far as you finding a niche but also to grow yourself personally.”

The event featured a keynote speech on entrepreneurship from small-business coach and nationally recognized author Michael Gerber. The author of eight business development books and tutor to more than 75,000 clients across 45 countries, Gerber gave little heed to the idea of small-business stagnation during hard economic times.

“It’s always been hard,” the 72-year-old Gerber said. “I started in 1977 and it’s always been the world coming to an end. I have been through every (economic) cycle that anyone can imagine. … But the economy is irrelevant (to the entrepreneur).”

Gerber continued to speak on the essentials of entrepreneurship, which he said “have their foundation in a dream, are realized through a vision, are carried out through a purpose” and are marketed through a mission.

In addition to Gerber, local business development speakers shared their insights on productivity, networking and thinking creatively about selling.

The event’s opening session began with business speakers Norma Havens and Bob Belknap asking business owners to re-evaluate what they are really selling. Other speakers included McIntosh, who spoke on workplace productivity, and Sage International, Inc. CEO Cheri Hill, who spoke on effective networking.

“The needs (for business owners) are diverse,” Stevens said as he described the factors that went into planning this year’s forum. “The big thing is that there is still a lot of worry out there. There are people who are looking for a paycheck just to keep their doors open. … We are trying to build confidence and get people to hang in there.”

As business owners networked from the edges of their booths, many said they were concerned about the current economic climate, however most were also optimistic about the forum’s benefit to their business.

Megan Kiley has been attending the business forum for the past three years, and the marketing coordinator and community relations manager for Kiley Ranch communities said she came for the contacts.

“I am taking back a lot of contacts through networking,” Kiley said.

In the face of a troubled housing market, Kiley said that many of the questions that came to her booth concerned the welfare of the company in challenging times.

“I just tell them that we are proceeding and we have leads,” Kiley said.

Michael Eskuchen, golf sales manager for The Resort at Red Hawk, said that the event met his expectations and that at future business forums he hoped to receive coaching in order to refine his business management goals.

David Leonard, senior area manager for the U.S. Small Business Administration, came for the opportunity to promote his business to other professionals in the area.

“I am here to make people more aware of our business,” Leonard said.

As Stevens stood amid the rows of business booths, he said that he hoped business owners left with a feeling of unity in struggle.

“I want people to leave with the recognition that they are not alone in a boat by themselves,” Stevens said. “And with the recognition that by coming to an event like this … people can share with each other. If they come away with one thing that helped them and develop relationships and know that there are other people who share your situation, that is the goal.”