Entrepreneur center hosts 2012 summit in downtown. The Tulsa Collaboratorium, an entrepreneurial resource center based in downtown, is hosting an Entrepreneurship Summit on Thurs., May 10 at the Tulsa Community College Center for Creativity.

The Summit is a day--long conference designed to support and motivate start-ups and business owners to take their endeavors to the next level. In addition, the Summit's goal is to continue supporting the city of Tulsa's economic development initiative.

"The Tulsa Collaboratorium is one example of how we can grow jobs and support entrepreneurs in Tulsa," Mayor Dewey Bartlett Jr. said. "Most recently, the Mayor's Office and City Council comprised goals and objectives setting a future vision for Tulsa. Entrepreneurship was one area of focus that we believe should be highlighted and I look forward to the continued job growth made by the entrepreneurs located at the Tulsa Collaboratorium."

Keynote speakers from across the country are coming to speak, including Dave Mathews, CEO and founder of NeuAer in San Francisco, and Thom Ruhe, director of entrepreneurship of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Washington, DC.

Area business leaders will conduct coaching sessions on the following topics: strategic communications, understanding business and financial models, raising capital for business and sales and solutions for business.

"Since launching in 2008 over 72 startups have received coaching from the Collaboratorium and 18 member companies have generated 45 new jobs, adding over $2,071,935 to Tulsa's annual payroll," said Sean Griffin, Collaboratorium board chairman and founder. "Locally grown entrepreneurs are critical in our effort to foster a 'culture of start-ups' in Tulsa, where people of any age or economic background are empowered to take risks and follow their dreams."

Sponsors for the 2012 Tulsa Collaboratorium Summit include: Alcatel Lucent, City of Tulsa, Consumer Affairs, i2E and the University of Tulsa. For more information, updates or to register for the 2012 Collaboratorium Summit, visit tulsacollab.com.

Take advantage of city surplus auctions.

Head out to the city of Tulsa's surplus auction on Sat., May 5, starting at 9:30am. The city's spring auction includes about 170 vehicles, including a six-wheel all-terrain vehicle, six John Deere Gator utility vehicles, five police motorcycles and an assortment of cars and large and small trucks, tractors.

Some low-mileage vehicles are included among those to be sold. Last year, at the direction of the Mayor's office, the city's Management Review Office identified numerous under-utilized vehicles in the city's fleet. Some of those, with mileage as low as 17,000 miles, will be up for auction.

Merchandise will be available for viewing on Fri., May 4, from 9am-4pm. The site will open at 7:30am on Sat., May 5, for viewing merchandise before the sale begins.

Bidders can register at the auction site, but registering online before the auction is encouraged.

Check out the merch online first by going online to cityoftulsa.org and looking at a file for May 2012, or to joepippinauctioneers.com.

The sale will be held at the city's surplus property facility, 108 N. Trenton Ave. Besides vehicles, there will be heavy equipment, office equipment and furniture, miscellaneous equipment and some police property-room items included in the sale. All sales are "as is."

Cash, Mastercard and Visa cards are accepted. Checks can be accepted only if accompanied by a letter of guaranty from the financial institution on which the check is drawn. Payment is required in full within one hour after the auction ends.

Sales are subject to applicable local and state taxes, unless a sales tax permit is provided with proof of regular engagement in the re-sale business for items purchased. An Oklahoma Tax Commission auditor may be present. No one under age 16 is allowed in the city surplus property facility.

Questions about the auction can be directed to the city of Tulsa's Finance Department at 918-596-7233.