Entrpreneurs, Investors Come Together at Carolina Connect 2008
Date Posted: 8/26/2008
August 2008
MEDIA CONTACTS:
KATHI PETERSEN – 828-712-1286 or kpetersen@awnc.org (for background & to arrange interviews)
PAM LEWIS – 828-273-8295 or plewis@awnc.org (for background & to arrange interviews)
DALE CARROLL – 828-230-7510 dcarroll@awnc.org (for interviews)
Nationally recognized authors and business experts to keynote Sept. 11 conference, with sessions on business planning, marketing, financing, start-up management and investing
ASHEVILLE, NC – Entrepreneurs and investors from across the Southeast have the chance to network with and learn from industry leaders at CAROLINA CONNECT 2008.
The conference, which begins at 8 a.m. Sept. 11 at Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville and runs through 4:30 p.m., with a networking reception until 6:30 p.m., is committed to fostering the growth of businesses of all sizes and stages.
The event features educational and professional development opportunities, as well as access to business experts including two of today’s brightest entrepreneurial stars.
Technology entrepreneur Ryan Allis is the featured presenter in the morning. Allis is the founder and CEO of iContact, a Durham-based company that is the leading provider of e-mail marketing tools for small businesses. He is also author of the book “Zero to One Million,” and, in 2005, was named by BusinessWeek one of its “Top 25 Entrepreneurs under Age 25.”
Dan Heath, Consultant to the Policy Programs for the Aspen Institute, is the lunchtime presenter. He is co-author of the book “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die,” which has been a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek bestseller. Heath has consulted on the topic of “making ideas stick” with many organizations including Microsoft, Nestle, Nissan, the American Heart Association and Macy’s.
Other CAROLINA CONNECT 2008 highlights include:
-Nine educational sessions for entrepreneurs, organized within three concurrent tracks:
-Track 1: Startup Survival, aimed at budding entrepreneurs and covering business planning, marketing and selling your product or service, and the rules and sources for critical early stage financing
-Track 2: High-Growth Gear, for the high-growth entrepreneur, addressing sales, marketing, management and capital needs.
-Track 3: Fund Me, covering financing options and how to generate the cash needed to grow a business.
- The Kauffman Foundation’s “Power of Angel Investing,” a full-day seminar for investors offered as a separate track of the conference, with an overview of the angel investing process, including details on finding, evaluating and structuring deals and developing successful angel-entrepreneur relationships. Leading the seminar is John May, co-author of “Every Business Needs an Angel,” and founder and managing partner of New Vantage Group, a Virginia firm that creates innovative channels to direct private equity into early-stage companies.
-The Critical Conversation Networking Café, an informal series of discussions with industry experts on critical topics facing today’s entrepreneurs and business owners. Topics include Startup Management, Social Marketing, Website Optimization, Media Relations, Dealing with Catastrophes, and Valuation Methods.
-The Western North Carolina launch of CREATIVE JUICE, a collegiate competition that combines entrepreneurism and environmental responsibility. The 10-day contest challenges teams to create value out of a throwaway item, which will be revealed at the conference. Grand prize for the national competition is a trip to Google headquarters in California. (More information at www.CreativeJuiceCompetition.com)
-Closing Reception and networking on the Grove Park Inn’s Vanderbilt Terrace
In its sixth year, CAROLINA CONNECT is organized by the Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council, a program of AdvantageWest Economic Development Group, western North Carolina’s regional economic development commission.
“It is part of AdvantageWest’s economic development strategy to help entrepreneurs establish businesses leading to job creation for our citizens and restoration of tax base for public services in our communities. Carolina Connect is one way we do that,” said CEO Dale Carroll. “With national business experts as our speakers and respected leaders conducting the educational sessions, we believe Carolina Connect is an outstanding platform for professional development and networking for both entrepreneurs and investors.”
Registration for CAROLINA CONNECT 2008 is $50, which covers breakfast, lunch, the closing reception and all educational events and keynote sessions. In addition, all conference attendees will receive a free copy of Heath’s “Made to Stick,” which retails for $26.
Register online at www.brecnc.com. Or for more information on CAROLINA CONNECT or BREC contact Pam Lewis at plewis@awnc.org or (828) 687-7234. For more information on the “Power of Angel Investing” seminar, contact Natalie Murdock at nmurdock@awnc.org or (828) 687-7234.
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