Promoting New Ventures in Wichita – Your Help Needed!

Two of the Chamber’s most important strategic priorities this year are: JOB CREATION - We are focused on growing the regional economy through the retention and creation of high-quality primary jobs and new capital investment by new and existing businesses. SMALL BUSINESS - Meeting the critical needs of small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Wichita metro area I’m pleased that the Chamber is involved in the promotion of two upcoming events that align with these important strategic priorities. The Chamber is a sponsor of the ICT Unconference that will be held at the Wichita Marriott Hotel on Tuesday, April 22. The ICT Unconference has a simple mission:  to gather the region’s innovative entrepreneurs so they can learn from each other and exchange ideas. This is a very interactive opportunity to get involved with new ideas and ventures. The Chamber’s Tech Alliance is a sponsor of the event through the Knight Foundation and Wichita Community Foundation. The Chamber’s Leadership Council Entrepreneurship Task Force is also sponsoring the event. Representatives of both of these Chamber initiatives will be attending, participating, and staffing a booth at the Conference. You can also look for representation from another Chamber affiliate, the Young Professionals of Wichita (YPW). YPW Executive Director Suzy Finn is an official conference Ambassador.  Gary Oborny, CEO/Chairman of Occidental Management is also an official conference Ambassador. Oborny is also leading the Leadership Council’s Entrepreneurship Task Force along with Scott Schwindaman of Lubrication Engineers. How can you participate? Click here to register to attend. Be sure to stop by the Chamber’s booth to take a short survey and learn more about the work of the Tech Alliance and the Entrepreneurship Task Force. The 2014 Shockers New Venture Competition was created by the Wichita State University (WSU) Center for Entrepreneurship to inspire students to put their entrepreneurial principles into practice. The Trade Show will be held on April 25 from 3-6 p.m. at Koch Arena, where 16 teams will display their products and business concepts in a trade-show format. The Reception and Awards Ceremony is May 2 from 4-6 p.m. at Devlin Hall Lobby.  All of the events are on WSU’s main campus. Contact Tia Bodine, Coordinator of Operations and Student Services, by email at Tia.Bodine@wichita.edu or by phone at 316-978-3000. How can you participate? Click on this link to sign up to as a Judge. The deadline to complete the 2014 Judges Registration Form is Wednesday, April 23. You’re also invited to attend the Trade Show on April 25, and interact with some of the brightest students in the area. They welcome your input and feedback. Attend the Reception and Awards Ceremony on May 2, to see who walks away with more than $25,000 in prizes. These events are important ways for our business community to foster new ideas and support new ventures. We hope to see you there!