Speakers & Activities announced for Innovation Expo™ 2007
Three prominent businessmen are lined up to share ideas on successful entrepreneurship at this year’s Innovation Expo™, held Oct. 18 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
“Since Innovation Expo™ started we have been able to draw outstanding speakers,” said Marcia Hendrickson, Executive Director of Enterprise Institute. “These dynamic speakers will add that much more to this event.”
Opening guest speaker, Rich Karlgaard, is the publisher of Forbes magazine. He joined Forbes in 1992 and has since grown its readership to more than 4.5 million. Karlgaard is also a co-founder and award winning entrepreneur and author:
- Co-founded Upside Magazine (1988) and Garage Technology (1997)
- Ernst & Young Northern California ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’
- Amazon & Wall Street Journal business best seller - Life 2.0: How People Across America Are Transforming Their Lives by Finding the Where of Their Happiness
John Calvert will travel from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Washington, D.C. to speak at Innovation Expo™. As the Administrator for Inventor Resources and Outreach, Calvert oversees individual inventor programs, the establishment of programs with other federal agencies and university outreach. Previously, he led a group of USPTO patent examiners.
Final guest speaker, nationally recognized angel investor William Payne will talk about his experiences in angel investing and working with growth businesses. Payne held positions in two Fortune 500 companies and was a co-founder of Solid State Dielectrics, Inc. (1971). After selling the company to DuPont (1982) he continued to manage the merged business and sought new opportunities for DuPont in advanced ceramics. Currently, he is an Entrepreneur in Residence at the E.M. Kauffman Foundation where he developed the Power of Angel Investing Seminar series. He actively invests in early stage companies. Since 1980, he has invested time and money in over 30 startup companies.
The Enterprise Institute has also announced four new events to highlight the tradeshow activities:
Whatchamacallit Invention Contest
- Registered inventors & innovators are eligible
- Display invention in a tradeshow booth at Innovation Expo™
- Judges award cash prizes to top three winners with $2,000, $1,000, and $500 awards, respectively
Enterprise Angels Elevator Pitch Contest
- Registered entrepreneurs are eligible
- Present a two-minute elevator pitch to a distinguished panel of judges (including accredited angel investors)
- Judges award cash prizes as well as complimentary professional services to the winners
Awards will also be given to winners of the Best Booth Contest and People’s Choice Contest.
Innovation Expo™ is an event that links regional innovators and entrepreneurs with educators and business leaders in a setting that provides networking opportunities and education.
Along with the guest speakers and contests, the event includes seminars, breakout sessions, a luncheon, and a tradeshow area showcasing entrepreneurs and commercial vendors.
Innovation Expo™ will be held October 18, 2007 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center from 8am – 5pm. Door prizes will be given away at 4:30 with a Happy Hour and live music to follow.
For more information on Innovation Expo™ 2007 click here.