MarketPlace: Opening Doors to Success
|
We're at work planning the conference and recruiting presenters and other participants. Please check back soon for more information. |
The first annual Kansas MarketPlace is coming to the Ramada Convention Center in Hays, Kansas, on Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10, 2009. Kansas MarketPlace is presented by the Center for Rural Affairs and the Kansas Department of Commerce Rural Development.
The fourth annual Nebraska Marketplace is coming to the Ramada Inn Convention Center in Kearney, Nebraska on Tuesday, February 23 and Wednesday, February 24, 2010. Reserve your spot as an exhibitor and choose your location! Spots are limited, so act today: Download the Exhibitor Application. Become a MarketPlace sponsor - a great business decision. Download the Sponsor Booklet.
MarketPlace is an event totally focused on energizing small businesses and rural communities. The conference features strong, hands-on learning opportunities for potential and existing business owners including on and off farm/ranch, store front or home based, women and Hispanic owned businesses; community leaders; and youth interested in entrepreneurship. Numerous sectors of businesses and organizations regularly attend from Nebraska and other states, and we look for continued success and diversity in attendee participation.
 Youth entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of MarketPlace. Last year's event kicked off with 24 year old CEO and founder of JM Web Designs, Jonathan Patton, as the opening keynote speaker. Patton started his business at 14, and now has over 15 employees and an international clientele. Read his story. |
Topics being considered for the 2010 program include:
- Marketing - Unique approaches to help entrepreneurs prosper through innovative marketing (examples: branding and packaging products or services, niche marketing, etc.)
- Agriculture – Exceptional opportunities available as an agricultural business (examples: agri tourism, direct marketing of local foods, high value products)
- Financing – Educational tools to increase knowledge (examples: cash is king, financing your business)
- Community Development – Innovative community offerings to enhance unique entrepreneurial approaches (examples: how's and why's of being an entrepreneurial community, public policy, renewing your community, youth retention/attraction, investment clubs)
- Technology – Extraordinary ways to increase business using technology anywhere you live (examples: podcasting, off and online businesses)
- Business Development – Programs that build business competency levels, creating awareness improving business skills (examples: risk management, legal issues, customer service)
- Hispanic – Sessions taught in Spanish to enhance business skills (examples: marketing, nuts & bolts of business start-ups, bookkeeping basics)
- Youth – Introduce entrepreneurial experiences and concepts encouraging career exploration and opportunities
- Women Business Owners – What does it take for you, a WOMAN, to start your own business? What challenges will YOU face in taking control of your destiny and opening your own business?
More information on the two conferences will be added as it becomes available. Please check back frequently for updates.
Watch video clips about MarketPlace.
The Center for Rural Affairs is proud to join with USDA Rural Development and many other fine sponsors in presenting our annual conference.
State Farm Insurance Companies
|
|
"State Farm Insurance recognizes the vital importance of strong rural communities and successful small businesses. We are proud to help make the MarketPlace conference possible. State Farm agents face the same challenges as other small business owners in the community. This conference is a great opportunity for all business owners to come together and share ideas and solutions." –Pete Salin, |
If you have questions, please contact Joy Marshall, joym@cfra.org or call 402.614.5558.
