Free help to start or keep a successful small business will be offered Saturday, September 12 at the 13th Annual Washington Small Business Fair.

The event is from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Renton Technical College, 3000 NE 4th St. Renton.

Biz Fair 2009’s feature event is a mid-day panel session with business experts sharing tips and stories on how to survive when the economy is down and be ready when rebound arrives.

During morning and afternoon small group sessions, current and future business owners can get information and training in one-hour chunks about how to create or expand a small business while successfully managing taxes and regulations.

More than 40 seminars will be taught by business professionals on a wide variety of topics, including web site design, business law, financing, marketing, and business planning.

More than 30 non-profit and government organizations, including trade associations and local chambers of commerce, will also be on-hand all day long to provide resources and networking opportunities. Previous Biz Fair events have drawn an average of about 700 participants.

In addition to free admission, the fair offers plenty of free parking and requires no advance registration. Attendees may stay for the entire event or come for part of the day.