Registration Opens for 10th Annual NACCE Entrepreneurship Conference

Springfield, MA, July 11, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) will host its 10th Annual Conference October 7-10 in Chicago. This year’s conference theme, “Committed to Entrepreneurship,” underscores NACCE’s 10th year as a major force in entrepreneurship education, and its role in spearheading a national movement among community colleges to develop a new breed of educators and administrators dedicated to helping underserved entrepreneurs start, run and grow thriving companies. The three-day conference, which is expected to draw some 500 community college administrators and faculty, will take place at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, one of the country’s top conference and event venues.

“The NACCE Conference brings together community college administrators and faculty, foundations and entrepreneurs who are committed to building the resources needed to nurture entrepreneurs and the small business owners,” says NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. “Our conference will have over 50 learning sessions and workshops that will highlight the amazing work being done at community college across the country to support the entrepreneurial aspirations of the people they serve.”

Highlights of the conference, which is expected to be NACCE’s largest ever, include

NACCE Award Nominations
Each year NACCE recognizes a group of leaders who have impacted the growth of entrepreneurship. This year, NACCE will continue this tradition by announcing the following: Alumni Entrepreneur Award, Entrepreneurial President Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Impact Awards. Community College Week sponsors this award program. The deadline for nominations is August 3.

Student Entrepreneur Business Showcase
The showcase offers cash prizes to three students who capture the most “investment” money during a presentation of their innovative business idea or small business. Presentations will be October 8 during the conference, with winners announced later in the day. Students must complete an application and obtain a faculty recommendation to enter. The deadline for nominations is September 18.

Student Essay Contest
NACCE is sponsoring an essay contest for entrants to express how entrepreneurship education at community colleges benefits students. The winner will win a travel stipend and free admission to the conference to read his/her essay to conference attendees. Deadline for entries is September 18.

Keynote speakers
- Johnny Earle, founder of Johnny Cupcakes, turned a simple idea, joke and hobby into a multimillion-dollar business using nontraditional business strategies and innovative marketing techniques. Starting his business at the age of 19, he has created an international business that currently has stores in Los Angeles, London, and Boston.

- Steve Mariotti, founder of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), is an expert in education for at-risk youth. For more than 20 years, he has helped young people from low-income communities develop marketable skills by learning about entrepreneurship, reaching more than 450,000 young people through his programs in 21 states in the United States and in 10 foreign countries. NFTE currently has more than 1,500 Certified Entrepreneurship Teachers.

- Ray Charles Robinson Jr., is an author, entrepreneur and financial service associate with Prudential Insurance Company of America. He is the founder of the Ray Charles Jr. Foundation for America, a non-profit corporation dedicated to helping vulnerable children and families. He is the 2011 NACCP Image Award winning author of You Don’t Know Me: Reflections of My Father Ray Charles, and co-producer of the Academy Award nominated film, “Ray.”

Pre-conference symposium
“Creating Community Partnerships in Support of Entrepreneurship,” Sunday October 7 10:00 a.m.-4:00 pm.

Preconference “How to do it” Workshops
“Marketing Blender: Online and Offline Strategies”
Sunday, October 7, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
“An Entrepreneurial Approach to Funding Entrepreneurship”
Sunday, October 7, 1-4 p.m.

Conference Fees
Conference fees are $695 for NACCE members, $795 for non-members. An Early Bird Discount of $100 is available to those who register before by September 14. Full conference registration includes admission to all general and breakout sessions, networking groups, and three breakfasts and two lunches. Symposium charges are $149 for members, $169 for non-members. Workshops are $79 for members, $99 for nonmembers. Reservations are required by September 14. Discounts are available for groups of five or more. For more information, visit the NACCE Conference website: http://www.nacce2012.com.