Hi-Tech Communications Inc. recently purchased its sixth technology company, the Tri State Telephone in Cape Girardeau. This company was previously owned by James Crowell.

Hi-Tech Communications Inc. provides IP camera systems, wireless IP transmission systems with towers up to 100 feet, IP/digital telephone systems, custom audio/video distribution systems, fire and burglar alarm systems, nurse call systems and IT computer services.

Hi-Tech Communications Inc. is locally owned and has operated since 1996 with offices in Cape Girardeau, Caruthersville, Mo., and Sikeston, Mo.

The company serves customers in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky. It has 20 technicians and five systems designers who provide services to city and state governments, medical, nursing, educational and financial facilities, commercial construction and residential homes.

* A meeting for vendors interested in participating in the new Cape Girardeau Riverfront Market will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 20 at Dockside: The Upper Deck, 4 N. Spanish St. Vendors can learn details about the new farmer's/open air market and pick up an application. For more information, call Old Town Cape at 334-8085.

* University of Missouri Extension will offer two courses at the Extension Center, 684 West Jackson Trail, in Jackson, to help small businesses. A course titled "Public Relations: Working With the Media" will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. This class will show participants how to write effective news releases and build productive relationships with media outlets, increasing the likelihood of media coverage for their business. "Pricing for Success" will be offered from 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 5 at University of Missouri Extension in Jackson. This class will cover different pricing strategies and determining the right price point for products. The classes are made possible by a grant from the Small Business Administration and sponsored by the Mississippi River Hills Association. The classes are free but preregistration is required by contacting University of Missouri Extension in Jackson at 243-3581.

* Cape Girardeau Chamber Young Professionals will sponsor a speed networking event at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at River Eagle Distributing, 2336 Rust Avenue. It is designed to help people connect with those they may not otherwise have the opportunity to meet or get to know. Chamber Young Professionals is open to those under 40. To participate in the speed networking event, RSVP by Tuesday, to tarbeiter@capechamber.com.

* BOLD Marketing, a strategic marketing, design and communications firm located in Cape Girardeau, received two Gold Awards and one Merit recognition in the ninth annual Service Industry Advertising Awards competition. More than 400 advertising agencies and 1,000 institutions participated in this year's contest. BOLD Marketing received a Gold award in the Imprinted Materials category for the BOLD Marketing business card, and a Gold award in Logo/Letterhead Design for the LeBounce Indoor Play Centre's pop-up business card. BOLD also received a Merit recognition in the Total Advertising Campaign category for the Source -- Yoga ‘N More 2011 campaign.

Southeast Missourian business editor Melissa Miller may be contacted at 388-3646 or mmiller@semissourian.com.