02/17 TODD HOLLANDER, UNION BANK, LAURA KATH, TASTE OF SOLVANG, STEVE EVANS, THE MOVIE GUY

TODD HOLLANDER - MANAGING DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF BUSINESS BANKING FOR UNION BANK 

UNION BANK’S SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC SURVEY FINDS ENTREPRENEURS MORE OPTIMISTIC

Most West Coast Small Business Owners are Optimistic that the National Economy is headed in the Right Direction; an 11-Point Jump from Previous Survey

Small business owners are significantly more confident about the national economy, according to results from the Union Bank annual Small Business Economic Survey released today. The 18th annual survey also found that hiring is on the rise, with more business owners planning to offer permanent full-time positions in 2017 while interest in contractors and temporary positions wanes.

Union Bank conducted the survey from Dec. 12, 2016 to Jan. 3, 2017, compiling results from nearly 700 small business owners in California, Oregon, and Washington State. The previous Small Business Economic Survey was conducted in January 2016.

Overall, 53 percent of respondents said the national economy is headed in the right direction, a significant reversal from January 2016 when a majority (58%) believed the economy was headed in the wrong direction. More than half of respondents (57%) also believe the economic outlook at the state and local levels has improved versus 49 percent in January 2016. However, 62 percent of survey participants said the United States, as an entity, is headed in the wrong direction. This reflects a five percentage point increase from January 2016.

Todd Hollander is available to you and your listeners to discuss the findings from the bank’s latest small business economic survey, among the longest-running surveys in the industry, and to help people understand the needs of small business owners.  Todd can also speak about the small business industry in general, and what Union Bank is doing to support small businesses.

WWW.UNIONBANK.COM


LAURA KATH - MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTOR,  SOLVANG VISITORS BUREAU - TASTE OF SOLVANG

TASTE OF SOLVANG 2017: TEMPTING EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR 25TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION

The 25th annual Taste of Solvang offers delicious delights and savory flavors from Wednesday, March 15 through Sunday, March 19, 2017. From farm-to-table, rustic wine country cuisine to New American and modern Danish fare, to iconic sweets and award-winning wines, beers, and spirits, this popular celebration features a variety of food and beverage experiences featuring Solvang area chefs, bakers, farmers, winemakers, brewers, distillers and artisans showcasing the bounty of the region.

The Taste of Solvang Weekend Passport includes tickets to Sip + Savor’ Opening Night with VIP Access,  Saturday’s Tasting Trail and Wine & Beer Walk plus Souvenir Wine Glass, Taste of Solvang Collectible Item, Taste of Solvang Map, Visitors Guide and Souvenir Tote all for only $110 per person; and individual events are also available ala carte. All events are rain or shine and tickets are non-refundable. Advance purchase of event passports or ala carte tickets is highly recommended at www.solvangusa.com/taste-of-solvang-2017

The Taste of Solvang is presented by the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau since 1993 with sponsorship support this year from Visit Santa Ynez Valley and City of Solvang.

WWW.SOLVANGUSA.COM


STEVE EVANS – THE MOVIE GUY

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.