Hawaii Resident Bringing Vendors and Parents Together to Address Budget Cuts to Public Schools

Honolulu, HI, October 07, 2009 --(PR.com)-- In the wake of a $1 billion shortfall in the state general fund, teachers are forced to accept a 7.9% pay cut. As if that weren’t already enough, many teachers are paying for their own supplies, coaches are shopping around for their team equipment, and students have 17 days of lost time away from school as a result of the proposed furlough plan. An Oahu Resident has decided to step up to the plate and is now doing his part to combat the public school crisis- both locally and nationwide.

Fred Matthews is the founder of PBN Today, a third party conference and event planner with a special emphasis on Education, Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade. Sugar Brown Productions, a sister company of PBN Today, assumes full responsibility of marketing and promotions of company sanctioned events and conferences.

Matthews has never been one to stand by and wait for the powers to be to do the right thing. When the Kailua resident initially approached business leaders about this project, he quickly learned he was facing an uphill battle. “Everyone warned me about the politics of doing business with the State as it pertains to education and coping with its inefficiencies,” Matthews said. “I come from the hospitality industry. If I couldn’t tell my boss that budget goals weren’t met due to continuing problems in our economy then what makes you think I’ll let the State get away with that excuse.”

Matthews realized that it might be better to partner first with parents and provide them the tools necessary to better support their child’s education. The goals are set- to grow its social network of parents, teachers, coaches, and administrators beyond 10 million, become the leading source of scholarships in the United States, and to develop into a major contributor in the advancement of Sciences, Technology, Fashion, and Sports worldwide from Pre-K to 12th grade. Matthews inserted, “Lofty goals, but we’re obviously dealing with lofty problems.”

PBN Today will have its first major conference in Houston in April of 2011. To make it work in Hawaii, Matthews decided to de-construct the conference and introduce it to the Islands into segments- Science, Technology, Fashion, and Sports. In January 2010, Sugar Brown Productions will promote two Posh Prom events in Hawaii, one in Oahu and one in Maui.

“There are several events on the books that will all generate funds for scholarships, school improvements, and teacher assistance,” Matthews said. “In 2010, we will conservatively raise a few thousand dollars for our schools, but 2011 will raise hundreds of thousands.”

That’s because PBN Today enters outside markets that can support a major conference, meets a regional need by attacking a national problem, and matches funds earned within that region with that of Hawaii.

“It warms my heart to see a child full of hope of a bright future,” Matthews finished. “So let us do whatever is necessary to keep our children’s future burning bright.”

###