EntrepreneurshipWeek USA Events To Boost Regional Entrepreneurship
Holbrook, NE - Community leaders from across Nebraska have been working on ideas for a statewide event aimed at excellence in entrepreneurship to take place during the nationwide EntrepreneurshipWeek USA - February 24 through March 3, 2007.
Within the week, regional organizations ranging from businesses to schools to nonprofits will be encouraged to conduct activities, such as open houses, seminars, and meet-and-greets with successful entrepreneurs to encourage all people to explore their entrepreneurial potential.
"This week is not one event happening at one location," said Janell Anderson Ehrke, CEO of GROW Nebraska. "Everybody can do something."
With the theme,"What's Your Big Idea? Take it On!," the EntrepreneurshipWeek USA initiative is designed to inspire young people's creativity and to turn their ideas into action - whether that means starting a new business, developing an innovation for an existing company, or solving a problem that makes society better. Official events are being planned in cities across the country, including in Washington, D.C., where the focus will be on the importance of policy to the nation's entrepreneurs.
On a national basis, the week is sponsored by The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Inc. magazine and The New York Times.
One of Anderson Ehrke's goals is to open the eyes of teens and young adults to the unlimited ways to create value for society through entrepreneurship, including starting up businesses, developing new products, or implementing creative solutions to local problems.
Development of entrepreneurship in Nebraska, particularly in younger generations who identify with the desire to make a positive impact on the world, is key to the state's economic future, Anderson Ehrke said.
Events planned for Nebraska include a label and packaging competition organized by GROW Nebraska. "The emphasis of our program is marketing, awareness of products," explained Anderson Ehrke. "The way products are presented to potential consumers is a huge piece of getting those products sold, so we're focusing on this key element of the marketing mix."
All entries will be displayed at the GROW Nebraska booth at MarketPlace, a conference sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs to focus on building jobs and the rural economy from within. Conference features include 50 booths, 30 teach-in sessions, and an expert day-long question/answer session regarding accounting, legal issues, technology and more.
MarketPlace attendees can vote on their favorites for a 'People's Choice' award. The winning entry will receive free membership to GROW Nebraska for 2007, a $150 value. Second place will receive $100 towards a GROW Nebraska membership fee, and the People's Choice awardee will receive $75 credit towards GROW Nebraska membership or services.
Additional events in Nebraska can be viewed at entrepreneurshipweekusa.com; just click on 'Activities' and select Nebraska in the drop-down menu for states.
"We are delighted with the leadership and expertise that these regional and local organizations bring to EntrepreneurshipWeek USA as program partners," said Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. "Educating our young people about entrepreneurship and reinforcing the value that entrepreneurs and innovators bring to our economy is critical to America's long-term prosperity - more so now than ever before."
According to Kauffman Foundation research, 41 percent of children ages 9 -12 say they would like to start their own business. "Young people have a natural desire for the independence and control that come with owning a business and being their own boss," Schramm said.
Entrepreneurship is a driving force of the U.S. economy. During the past 15 years, businesses less than five years old have accounted for about 70 percent of the net job creation in the United States. However, while America presently maintains the edge as an entrepreneurial society, there are clear signs of massive economic competition from abroad. Future Americans will need to generate more ideas and better innovations if the United States is to stay ahead of educated citizens in emerging and globally savvy economies.
For more information on events and activities across the country, and information on engaging young people to get involved in EntrepreneurshipWeek USA, visit:
www.EntrepreneurshipWeekUSA.com. For additional information on the label/packaging contest, contact Sara Stevens-Stehl at 308-472-3015.
