Keynote Speaker

David Kidder

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Clickable

Starting a Business

What are the first steps to starting a business? In this session, experienced entrepreneurs discuss the circumstances which led to their starting a business. How did they identify their idea, build their team, find the resources, etc. (Note: The session is not about legal forms of incorporation. See the Legal Issues section.)

Speakers include Mark Gentile.
Entrepreneurial Teambuilding

High potential businesses require high performing teams. How do entrepreneurs build the best possible team? What are the characteristics of a good team? This session explores how to develop successful high performance entrepreneurial teams.
Entrepreneurship and Social Media

Social media is a revolutionary force in marketing and can have a pervasive impact on such functions as sales, customer services, voice of the customer, etc. This session assists entrepreneurs in developing a social media strategy that best suits their needs.

Speakers include Dr. Neil Hair and Dr. Raj Murthy.
Shark Tank

Come watch the Shark Tank finalists give their business pitch to a bunch of hungry sharks (judges). Five finalists will pitch their idea and compete for $4750 worth of cash prizes.

Lessons Learned: Experienced Entrepreneurs Tell Their Tales

Entrepreneurship is about learning, adaptation, trial, and error. In this panel entrepreneurs share their personal experiences.
Entrepreneurial Journalism

Once considered taboo, the current volatility of the media industry now requires journalists to be knowledgeable about business. In this panel, three local entrepreneurial journalists discuss how to cope with a business constantly in flux and offer advice for staying relevant and paid, particularly when you aren't working for a large media company.

Panelists include Andrea Hickerson, Marci Diehl, Howard Owens and Robin Flanigan.
Health Care and Entrepreneurship

Changes in technology and government regulations have created tremendous opportunity for new innovative healthcare businesses. This session provides unique insights from entrepreneurs who have built healthcare related businesses.
Making Money From the Web: Digital Entrepreneurship

Learn how internet entrepreneurs are monetizing the web! This session dovetails with the conference theme of "web of opportunities".

Speakers include Dr. Victor Perotti and David Kidder.

Franchising as an Entrepreneurial Endeavor

Franchising provides unique opportunities to create and grow a business. This session describes the uniqueness, opportunities, and challenges of purchasing a franchise.
Legal Issues: Incorporation and Intellectual Property Issues

Legal issues are paramount to the entrepreneur. This session provides insight into two central issues: IP protection and incorporation modes.
Funding your venture in uncertain times

Entrepreneurs have many options to funding their ventures. The panel session, composed of various potential funders, describes strategies and contingencies for funding a venture.

Speaker includes Denny DeLeo.
Marketing your New Venture

Most ventures start out without market positions, brands, or communications channels. How do you begin to market a venture? This session walks through the process.

Speakers include Laurie Dwyer and Jeff Burke.