Business leaders can discuss taxes, employment law, national defense and other topics with members of Congress this month at the 2004 Washington Night in South Carolina.

The town meeting is 4 to 6 p.m. April 13 at the Adam’s Mark hotel, with a reception to follow. The S.C. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers will sponsor the event.

Invited to attend are U.S. Sens. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; and U.S. Reps. J. Gresham Barrett, R-S.C., Henry E. Brown Jr., R-S.C., Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., Jim DeMint, R-S.C.,; John Spratt, D-S.C., and Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

David Stanton of WIS-TV will moderate the discussion.

The cost is $55 for chamber members and $75 for non-members. To register, e-mail register@scchamber.net or visit www. scchamber.net/events.

ASSOCIATIONS

AMERICAN PRODUCTION AND INVENTORY CONTROL SOCIETY — MID CAROLINA CHAPTER: “TS16949 — The Next Step after QS” 6:30 p.m. April 13 at the Adam’s Mark, 1200 Hampton St. Dinner and speech, $20; students, $5; RSVP by Friday. http://www.midcarolina-apics.org/

COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS: Monthly luncheon; 12:15 p.m. April 20 at Ryan’s Steakhouse, St. Andrews Road. $15. Mike Hartman, (803) 354-9022, ext. 241

FINANCIAL EXECUTIVES INTERNATIONAL: Academic awards and student recognition; 6 p.m. April 15 at Capstone, USC. Steve Jones, (704) 957-6860, sbjones@carolina.rr.com

S.C. CHAPTER OF THE CHARTERED PROPERTY & CASUALTY UNDERWRITERS: Monthly meeting; 12:45 p.m. April 13 at the Royal & SunAlliance Building in Charleston. $10; RSVP by Tuesday. Patty Smith, (803) 936-4414; psmith@scfbins.com

SMALL BUSINESS COUNSELING, sponsored by the SCORE Association, available free Monday through Friday by appointment. (803) 765-5131; http://www.scoremidlands.org/

CLUBS

(Note: Clubs may limit participation to one person per business category. Call in advance.)

AT-HOME MOM ENTREPRENEURS: Organizational meeting; 9:30 a.m. April 21 at The Black Lion at Richland Mall, 3400 Forest Drive. RSVP to Pamela Ahearn-Chalfant, (803) 695-1982; pachalfant@aol.com

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CLUB, CAYCE/WEST COLUMBIA: 6:45 a.m. Thursdays at West Metro Chamber of Commerce, 12th Street. Jerry Fowler, (803) 798-0555, ext. 108; http://www.scbdc.com/

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CLUB, GATEWAY DOWNTOWN CHAPTER: 6:45 a.m. Tuesdays at the Summit Club, 1301 Gervais St. Jerry Fowler, (803) 798-0555, ext. 108; http://www.scbdc.com/

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CLUB, LAKE MURRAY CHAPTER: 7 a.m. Tuesdays at Lizard’s Thicket, 7569 St. Andrews Road. Rick Jones, (803) 781-3031; http://www.scbdc.com/

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CLUB, LEXINGTON CHAPTER: 6:45 a.m. Mondays at Farm Bureau Building, 121 Park Road. Jerry Fowler, (803) 798-0555, ext. 108; http://www.scbdc.com/.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CLUB, SPRING VALLEY: 6:45 a.m. Tuesdays at The Waterford, 9370 Windsor Lake Blvd. at Alpine Road. Jerry Fowler, (803) 798-0555, ext. 108; http://www.scbdc.com/

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CLUB, VISTA DOWNTOWN: 6:45 a.m. Thursdays at the Summit Club, 1301 Gervais St. Jerry Fowler, (803) 798-0555, ext. 108; http://www.scbdc.com/

BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL, VISTA CHAPTER: 7 a.m. Thursdays at The Summit Club, 1301 Gervais St. Jerry Fowler, (803) 798-0555, ext. 108; http://www.scbdc.com/

BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL, CAPITAL CITY CHAPTER: 1 p.m. Wednesdays at The Summit Club, 1301 Gervais St. Anthony Scrivener, (803) 731-4000

BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL, LEXINGTON CHAPTER: 12:45 p.m. Tuesdays at Edward Jones, 5483-B Sunset Blvd. Gary Deese, (803) 808-5993; http://www.bobtravis.com/

BUSINESS NETWORK INTERNATIONAL, LEXINGTON LEADERS CHAPTER: 7 a.m. Wednesdays at Deepwood Estates, 203 Old Chapin Road. Elaine Beck, (803) 917-2288

BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL, MIDLANDS CHAPTER: Noon Wednesdays at Shoney’s, 239 Harbison Blvd. Teresa Smith, (803) 794-9558

BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL, FOREST ACRES CHAPTER: 7:45 a.m. Thursdays at Taylor’s Catering, 7120 Firelane Road. Chris Eidson, (803) 779-0063

BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL, SPRING VALLEY CHAPTER: 7 a.m. Wednesdays at Lizard’s Thicket, 7620 Two Notch Road. Mack Brazell, (803) 609-5967

BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL, ST. ANDREWS CHAPTER: 7 a.m. Tuesdays at Lizard’s Thicket, 7569 St. Andrews Road. Palma Bianchi, (803) 407-6511

BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL, VISTA CHAPTER: 7 a.m. Tuesdays at Capital City Club, 1201 Main St., suite 2500. Peter Hamlett, (803) 779-2200

CAPITOL CITY SALES EXCHANGE: 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Carolina Wings, 600 Gervais St. Tom Hooker, (803) 960-2800.

CAROLINA REFERRAL GROUP: 7:30 a.m. Thursdays at Lizard’s Thicket, 7620 Two Notch Road. Terry Courtney, (803) 743-9441 or Suzette Wilson, (803) 343-7131.

COLUMBIA EXECUTIVE AND OWNERS ASSOCIATION: 7 a.m. Wednesdays at The Summit Club, 1301 Gervais St. Keith Fairchild, (803) 731-7625, keith@fairchildandassociates.com.

COLUMBIA SALES EXCHANGE: 11:30 a.m. Thursdays at Villa Tronco, 1213 Blanding St. Bill Beckwith, (803) 513-4921

COLUMBIA TIP CLUB: 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Capital City Club, 1201 Main St. Joe Kennedy, (803) 772-9255

DOING BUSINESS ASSERTIVELY: 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Wingate Inn Harbison, 217 Lanneau Court. (803) 609-LEAD

LEXINGTON BUSINESS ASSOCIATION: Noon Tuesdays at Gilligan’s, 940 N. Lake Drive. Ted Zee, (803) 951-8477

RICHLAND SALES CLUB: 8 a.m. Thursdays at Shoney’s, 600 Bush River Road. John Ballentine, (803) 359-4005, or Lee Wells, (803) 750-5502

THE-RESOURCE-GROUP.NET: 11:45 a.m. Mondays at Wings & Ale, 124-C Outlet Pointe Blvd. Rick Keasler, (803) 609-1636; http://www.the-resource-group.net/

SOUTHERN NETWORK: 11:30 a.m. Mondays at Shoney’s, 600 Bush River Road. Dot Smith, (803) 665-1700

WOMEN EXCELLING IN BUSINESS, VISTA CHAPTER: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. first and third Thursdays at Nonnah’s, 930 Gervais St. Keely Saye, (803) 251-3270, keely.saye@morganstanley.com

WOMEN EXCELLING IN BUSINESS, IRMO CHAPTER: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays at Restaurant 123, 7001 St. Andrews Road. Keely Saye, (803) 251-3270, keely.saye@morganstanley.com

WOMEN EXCELLING IN BUSINESS, LEXINGTON CHAPTER: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. first and third Thursdays at Uno, U.S. 378. Keely Saye, (803) 251-3270, keely.saye@morganstanley.com

WOMEN EXCELLING IN BUSINESS, NORTHEAST CHAPTER: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. first and third Mondays at Carolina Wings at Clemson and Hard Scrabble roads. Keely Saye, (803) 251-3270, keely.saye@morganstanley.com

SEMINARS

AN APPRAISER’S PRIMER TO THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE sponsored by S.C. Chapter of the Appraisal Institute; 1-5 p.m. Thursday, April 22 at The Ramada Plaza, I-77 & Two Notch Road. (803) 782-2922; http://www.sc-ai.org/

BEYOND THE ELEMENTS: S.C. DAMAGES FROM A TO Z sponsored by S.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education division; 8:20 a.m. Friday, May 21 at the American Theater in Charleston. $225. (800) 768-7787; www.scbar.org/member/cle/calendar.asp

BUSINESS PRACTICES AND ETHICS-COURSE 420 sponsored by S.C. Chapter of the Appraisal Institute; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, May 7 at The Ramada Plaza, I-77 & Two Notch Road. (803) 782-2922; http://www.sc-ai.org/

CAPITOL CITY REAL ESTATE INVESTING: Monthly seminar; 6:30 p.m. fourth Thursday every month, Saluda Shoals Park, The River Center. (803) 419-9555; http://www.screi.com/

ENTREPRENEUR INFORMATION SESSION sponsored by Small Business Development Center; 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. April 14 and 28 at USC’s Moore School of Business, Lumpkin Auditorium, eighth floor; $25. (803) 777-5118.

EVALUATING RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION sponsored by S.C. Chapter of the Appraisal Institute; 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, April 23 at The Ramada Plaza, I-77 & Two Notch Road. (803) 782-2922; http://www.sc-ai.org/

NATIONAL USPAP UPDATE-COURSE 400 sponsored by S.C. Chapter of the Appraisal Institute; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 6 at The Ramada Plaza, I-77 & Two Notch Road. (803) 782-2922; http://www.sc-ai.org/

PUTTING YOUR BUSINESS ON WEB IN AN HOUR sponsored by Small Business Development Center; 6 to 8 p.m. April 27 at USC’s Moore School of Business, Room 701, 1705 College St. $15; pre-registration is required: (803) 777-5118.

WINNING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS sponsored by Small Business Development Center; 8 a.m. to noon April 20 at USC’s Moore School of Business. $50; pre-registration is required. (803) 777-5118; www.porterfieldcs.com/IGTWGCCola2.html

WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS sponsored by S.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education Division and S.C. Women Lawyers Association; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30 at the Embassy Suites. $205. (800) 768-7787; www.scbar.org/member/cle/calendar.asp

WORKSHOPS

EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN, EXTRAORDINARY STEPS sponsored by S.C. Women’s Business Center; noon-2 p.m. April 26 at Breed Leadership Center for Women, Columbia College; $25, includes lunch. Debbie Griffith, (864) 288-5687, ext. 214, debbiegriffith@charter.net; http://www.scwbc.org/

S.C. WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER: workshop; 9 a.m.-noon April 20 at Central Carolina Technical College, 506 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter. $45. (803) 461-8900; http://www.scwbc.org/

Send calendar items to Business News, The State, P.O. Box 1333, Columbia, SC 29202. Fax: (803) 771-8480. E-mail: biznews@thestate.com. Deadline is noon on the last Monday of each month for publication the following week in Columbia Business Journal.