[vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][text_output]Media Contacts:
Melissa McCarville
Economic Alliance
319-730-1415 (direct & cell)
mmccarville@cedarrapids.org
Jessalyn Holdcraft
NewBoCo
jessalyn@newbo.co
Cedar Rapids, IA, July 10, 2018 – Historically held in Iowa, EntreFEST, one of the Midwest’s largest entrepreneurial and innovation conferences, will return May 17-18, 2018. The conference celebrates building the business and startup ecosystems.
“We want to continue EntreFEST’s success in gathering the Midwest’s startup and entrepreneurial communities, so this year we’re expanding that community by creating an accessible conference for the established business community,” said Jill Wilkins, Events Director, NewBoCo and director of EntreFEST. “We have a targeted plan to cultivate speakers and programming that offers relevant professional development for all career stages and industries.”
EntreFEST 2018 brings a renewed focus on building the Midwest’s business and startup ecosystems and will feature national keynote speakers, breakout sessions and workshops from experts focused on Innovators, Visionaries and Entrepreneurs. Innovators are the traditional business employee or leader who thinks outside the box, who consistently strives for new ideas, culture and tactics to improve their organization. Visionaries show strong interest in emerging technology within their field and bring new technologies to current systems to help combat challenges. Lastly, Entrepreneurs will hear from fellow founders, learn skills to build a better business and connect with investors.
“Attendees may identify with multiple programming themes,” said Wilkins. “The goal is to offer clearly defined programming within a connective, unique and fun environment. We want all who attend to walk away from EntreFEST with actionable items or ideas they can implement within their own professional lives and organizations.”
Speaker applications are open now through September 1 for those with expertise to offer within the themes of EntreFEST 2018. Speaker opportunities will be limited. Visit entrefest.com to apply now.
A limited number of EntreFEST Super Early Bird tickets for $135 are available now until sold out. For more information about EntreFEST and future ticket prices, please visit http://www.entrefest.com/.
The two-day event expects to bring more than 600 attendees to Cedar Rapids. The event is co-produced by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and the New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo).
About the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance serves as the catalyst for economic diversity, growth and prosperity for the region through core functions of business support, economic development, community development, public policy and regional development.
About NewBoCo
The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative is a nonprofit with the mission to accelerate world-changing ideas, from Iowa. The organization aims to create impactful startup businesses that grow here through its Iowa Startup Accelerator program and more; to foster world-class technical and creative talent via innovative educational programs for kids and adults; to assist thriving, innovative companies in developing new products and attracting the best talent through corporate innovation programs; and to make an outstanding social impact and make the world a better place. Since 2014, the program has grown dramatically, helping hundreds of startups get off the ground and grow, and thousands of children learn to code.[/text_output][/vc_column][/vc_row]