Gov. Bentley to headline June 25-26 Entrepreneurs Conference on U.S. 280
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley will be the keynote speaker at the second annual Entrepreneurs and Innovators Conference Awards Breakfast presented by the Alabama State Black Chamber of Commerce this Friday, June 26 at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center just off U.S. 280.
Bentley, who has been a strong advocate of small business development during his five years in the governor’s office, will speak at 8:30 a.m.
The 2015 Entrepreneurs & Innovators Conference kicks off on Thursday, June 25, with on-site registration and a continental breakfast. Alabama State Black Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Mitchell said the conference theme, “Driving the Force of Change,” is directly related to the fact that Alabama has had one of the nation’s largest increases in small business growth, according to the most recent U.S. Census.
The conference is open to small business owners and members of the general public, and features a variety of seminars designed to grow and strengthen small businesses.
Attendees will also have opportunities to connect with other small business owners, business leaders and business experts from across the nation, he said.
Birmingham lawyer Eric Guster, a frequent legal analyst/commentator on CNN, MSNBC and Fox Network, will deliver the luncheon keynote address at noon Thursday.
Sponsors for the conference include Sarai Services Group, Alabama International Trade Center/Small Business Consortium, The Birmingham Business Journal and The UAB Collat School of Business.
General admission for the two-day conference is $45. Registration in advance by noon Wednesday, June 24 is required to attend the Thursday luncheon and Friday breakfast. You can register for the sessions on site both days.
For more information, visit ALBlackCC.org or telephone 256-564- 7574.
Here is the schedule of breakout sessions and panel discussions that will take place:
Day 1 Thursday, June 25, 2015:
- 7:45 a.m. -8:30 a.m. - Onsite registration and continental breakfast
- 8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. - Welcome/Greetings
- 8:45 a.m.-11:50 a.m. General Sessions: Emotional Intelligence & Entrepreneurial Success, Role of the Black Church in Economic Development, Alabama Economic Update
- 12 p.m. Lunch/Keynote address by Birmingham lawyer Eric Guster
- 1:40 p.m. - 5 p.m. Breakout Sessions/Panel Discussions: Inspiring Entrepreneurship Through Innovation, Franchise Ownership: Selecting, Financing & Building, Guide to the Right Business Structures & Tax Savvy, Accounting (What You Need to Know Now!), Brand & Market Your Business Like Your Life Depended on It!, Is a Home-Based Business Right for You?, Youth Entrepreneur Session
- 5 p.m. Networking Reception
Day 2 Friday, June 26, 2015:
- 8:30 a.m. Awards Breakfast featuring keynote speaker Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley
- 10:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Breakout Sessions/Panel Discussions: Intellectual Property: Protect Your Product/Service, How to Increase Your Website Traffic on a Shoestring Budget, PR Perspectives from Media Pros, Grow Your Business with Email & Social Media