To facilitate successful completion of business surveys, while also helping the media and public to understand the importance and impact of the Economic Census, the Census Bureau will be hosting a series of Webinars throughout the survey period this fall. The first in the series will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 1pm EDT, and will help prepare businesses for receiving and completing the survey during the coming months. It is geared towards the members of organizations that will be involved in completing their survey.

Every five years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts the Economic Survey to assess the state of the nation’s economy and businesses. The survey involves the over four million businesses that operate in this country, regardless of industry, organization size, or location. Information gathered through this survey informs both individual business decisions and economic policy at all levels of government.

In anticipation of the latest economic census being taken this October, November, and December, the Census Bureau has launched business.census.gov, an all-encompassing resource gateway for business owners, economists, policy analysts, chambers of commerce, the media and the general public. There, they will be provided the opportunity to participate in the survey, to make use of past Economic Census data, or to simply better understand the economy of one’s own community. The Snapshots Center provide quick access to state- or industry-specific briefs on economy activity.