Entrepreneur Summit 1-11-12

The Catawba County Chamber of Commerce
and
North Carolina Partners in Innovation
present
2012 Regional Entrepreneur Summit
Building Entrepreneurial Spirit
 

This summit convenes leaders and stakeholders from throughout the Metro area who can impact the vitality of our entrepreneurial climate.  This event is intended to include entrepreneurs, corporate and civic leaders, government and community organizations. Put your voice into the discussion to move the region's "Entrepreneurial Action Plan"  forward.

8:15 am - Welcome & Opening Perspective
Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, President, Catawba Valley Community College
Dr. Jane Everson, Chairman, NC Partners in Innovation
 
8:30 am - Entrepreneurial Development is Collaboration
Ted Abernathy, Executive Director, southern Growth Policies Board
 
9:00 am - Entrepreneurial communities - What Are They, Really?
Discussion facilitator:  William Parrish, Regional Director
NC Small Business Technology and Development Center
What does an entrepreneurial community look like?  What does current research indicate to be key characteristics of entrepreneurial communities?  How does our region compare? 

9:45 - BREAK

10:00 am  -  Entrepreneurial Community Success Stories
Discussion Facilitator:  Ted Abernathy
Specific examples of what best-in-class communities have done to nurture/enhance entrepreneurial environments, to attract growth companies, and to develop collaborative networks? Which of these activities are realistic and feasible for our Metro area?
 
10:40 am  -  The Funding Landscape – Rules of the Game
Discussion Facilitator:  Bill Parrish
What are the capital source needs of entrepreneurial regions?  What funding sources exist for our region?  What other options/alternatives are needed?  Which ones make sense for our region?  
  
11:10 am  -  Priorities & Next Steps
Discussion Facilitator:  Ted Abernathy
You will help to identify Key Priorities, Action Steps, and the Collaborative Leadership to enable the advancement of our region’s entrepreneurial development plan.
  
12:00 noon  - C  H  A  R  G  E  !  !  !   (Getting on with it)