UPCOMING

THE IMPACT OF BILSKI ON BUSINESS METHOD PATENTS, luncheon talk by Eric Cohen, patent attorney with Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione in Chicago, noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 4 at Hawaii State Bar Association, 1100 Alakea St., 10th floor; free pizza; sponsored by HSBA Intellectual Property & Technology Law Section. RSVP by Wednesday: IPTL@hsba.org

THE FAMILY BUSINESS STRATEGIC PLAN, free webinar hosted by the Better Business Bureau to help family owned and operated businesses create a strategic plan to fit their unique circumstances, 9 to 10 a.m. Jan. 6; reserve at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/860680849, confirmation e-mail will follow.

SMART BUSINESS HAWAII BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT CONFERENCE 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom; speakers, pollster and author, John Zogby and Gov. Linda Lingle; Zogby's book, "The Way We'll Be," will be available for purchase; also, business exhibit area and surprise guests; members $75, nonmembers and at-the-door $90; advance payment recommended. http://www.smallbusinesshawaii.com/

2010 HAWAII REAL ESTATE FORECAST, featuring a panel of national and local real estate professionals and economists, 7 to 11 a.m. Jan. 22 at Hawai'i Convention Center, Kalakaua Ballroom A&B; CCIM, IREM and BOMA members $45, nonmembers $55, $65 at the door, includes buffet; pre-pay by Jan. 15. www.ccimhawaii.org, info@ccimhawaii.org

Business meetings of general interest are listed in the Coming Events column on a space-available basis in Monday's business section. The full calendar of events is available online throughout the week. Submit notices at least two weeks in advance: Alan Yonan, Business Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax to 525-6763; or e-mail comingevents@honoluluadvertiser.com. For e-mailed releases, include information in the body of the message, not in an attachment. Releases may be edited for content and space, and may be distributed in print, electronic or other forms.