GEWKC 2024 Insiders’ Guide for Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Seasoned Business Owners

Ready to dive into the world of entrepreneurship, learn something new to boost your business or side hustle and make some key connections? Global Entrepreneurship Week – Kansas City is your one-stop shop for inspiration, education and networking. Join us Nov. 19-21 at Union Station (30 W Pershing Road, Kansas City, Missouri) and Nov. 22 throughout the community for a jam-packed week of workshops, panels and exciting events.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, GEWKC has something to offer. Connect with investors, educators and fellow entrepreneurs from all walks of life. Learn from industry experts, share your ideas and discover new opportunities.

To make the most of GEWKC, take a few minutes to prepare before you go. Register, identify your areas of interest, review the schedule and consider visiting the local attractions.

Mark your calendars and get ready for GEWKC!

Get Ready for GEWKC: Register Now!

GEWKC will fly by, so get your calendar in shape. The first step? Click here to register (for free!) and then download the Whova App so you can easily navigate the schedule, access useful information and interact virtually with presenters and fellow attendees.

In-person base camp is Nov. 19-21 at Union Station. When you arrive, pick up your badge. It features a scannable QR code that will take you straight to the agenda on the GEWKC platform. Not sure where to start? Ask the KCSourceLink folks at the registration desk. Or snag anyone in a red GEWKC shirt and ask for suggestions.

GEWKC Tracks: Explore Your Options

This year, GEWKC content is broken into five tracks:

• Español sesiones
• Finance
• Market
• Operate
• Startup

While knowing which track aligns best with your goals is helpful, registration is open throughout the conference, so you can attend any session that piques your interest. If you find yourself in a session that isn’t quite what you were expecting, don’t hesitate to step out and explore other options. GEWKC is all about flexibility and personalizing your experience.

Don’t Miss These GEWKC Highlights

GEWKC is packed with amazing entrepreneurial content. Here are some sessions and events to consider from each day of base camp:

Tuesday, November 19

• Manage Legal Risks and Avoid Landmines: The Organizational Health Approach, 1:30-2:30 p.m., The Board Room at Union Station
• Right & Wrong: Lessons in Shareable Content, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station
• Get Bank Funding Now: How and Where to Begin, 2:45-3:45 p.m., Innovation 1 at Union Station
• LaunchKC 2025 Grant Winners, 4:30-7 p.m., Rieger & Co., 2700 Guinotte Ave, Kansas City, Missouri (Attendees must also register for this event on Eventbrite.)

Wednesday, November 20

• 1 Million Cups Kansas City, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station
• Make Smart Moves Now for Future Funding, 9:45-10:45 a.m., Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station
• El Futuro del Espíritu Emprendedor Latino: tendencias crecientes del consumismo latino (The Future of Latino Entrepreneurship), 11 a.m.- Noon, Extreme Screen at Union Station
• Best Practices for Raising Venture Capital (Novel Capital), 1:30-2:30 p.m., Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station
• AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition Award Winners, 5-7 p.m., City Stage Theatre at Union Station

Thursday, November 21

• Turning Your Idea Into a Business, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Arthur Stilwell Room at Union Station
• Worth it! Negotiating On Your Terms, 2:45-4:45 p.m., City Stage Theatre at Union Station
• Entrepreneurial Teaching Accelerator Presented by Startland, 4-8 p.m., 1475 Walnut St., Kansas City, Missouri
• Keynote speaker, Harry Campbell and Happy Hour, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station
• Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, 5:30-8 p.m., KCRep Copaken Stage at H&R Block headquarters, 1 H and R Block Way, Kansas City, Missouri

But no matter what sessions you attend, don’t arrive empty-handed …

Prepare for GEWKC: Your Must-Have Items

These essentials will ensure you’re comfortable and able to capture all the big ideas flying at you. Make the most of GEWKC and bring:

• Business cards: Trust us, you’ll meet so many different people! Bring at least 50 business cards to follow up with your new connections.
• Your phone: The Whova app will be your digital best friend throughout the conference. You’ll also want to hit social media to share what you learn! Tag #GEWKC as you empower your network and the people who can’t attend.
• A notebook and pen: Be prepared when inspiration strikes!
• Comfortable footwear: GEWKC’s base camp is at Union Station, an 850,000-square-foot venue! Besides walking around this iconic location, you’ll also be standing and mingling, and no one is at their best when their feet hurt, right?

Notice that this list doesn’t include “buckets of money.” GEWKC events are free and open to everyone!

Parking at GEWKC

All GEWKC attendees will have free parking in the West Yards Parking Garage. The garage is located on the west side of Union Station and is also accessible via Broadway Street.

Kansas City Public Transportation: Getting to GEWKC

No car? No problem. In addition to rideshare options like Uber and Lyft, there are many ways to get to and from GEWKC.

Kansas City Streetcar: Running from the River Market on the north end to Union Station and Crown Center on the south, the free KC Streetcar connects all the downtown neighborhoods with 16 platform stops and two miles of track.

Ride KC Bike: This 24/7 bike share system offers smart, electric-assist bikes and classic pedal bikes operating in a dockless system with lock-to technology that uses existing and new bike racks. Download the RideKC Bike app (available for iPhone and Android) to locate bikes.

RideKC buses: Download the Transit app to plan your trip and track your ride. Ride KC buses are zero-fare.

IRIS: This app-based, on-demand service will get you within a quarter mile of your destination for a minimal fee within a defined zone, filling in gaps where a RideKC bus stop or other transportation service may not be as accessible. IRIS covers Kansas City, Missouri; Gladstone; Riverside; Liberty; and Raytown.

Amtrak: The Missouri River Runner train travels between St. Louis and Kansas City, stopping at Union Station. Other stops include Independence, Lees Summit, Warrensburg, Sedalia, Jefferson City, Hermann, Washington and Kirkwood.

WiFi: Staying Connected at GEWKC

Union Station offers complimentary access to high-speed internet throughout the entire station.

Fuel Your Entrepreneurial Journey with Free Food and Networking

Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce will sponsor breakfast during the What I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Business session on Tuesday, November 19, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in The Board Room at Union Station.

Lunch will be provided at Union Station locations during base camp from 12:15-1:15 p.m.:

• Tuesday, November 19: Husch Blackwell will sponsor lunch in The Board Room.
• Wednesday, November 20: Missouri Technology Corporation will sponsor lunch in the Gottlieb Planetarium.
• Thursday, November 21: Blitz, Bardgett, & Deutsch will sponsor lunch at the Gottlieb Planetarium.

The 4:30 p.m. keynote on Thursday, Nov. 21 will include a happy hour.

There are five places to grab a bite inside Union Station: Harvey’s Restaurant, Parisi Coffee, Pierpont’s Restaurant, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Time Square Concession Stand.

Multiple restaurants are located within the Crown Center District, which is accessible from Union Station via The Link, an elevated, climate-controlled walkway.

Explore Union Station and Surrounding Area: Things to Do

Before, after and in between your sessions, consider these attractions inside Union Station or just a quick walk or streetcar ride away.

Inside Union Station

• Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium: Explore the night sky and beyond through interactive astronomy education, public shows, laser light shows, live telescope viewings and more.
• Science City: This family-friendly museum has three floors and over 100,000 square feet of engaging exhibits, hands-on activities and play spaces.
• Regnier Extreme Screen: Sit back, relax and enjoy a movie in this one-screen theatre known as the biggest screen in Kansas City.
• City Stage Theatre: Check out live dramas, comedies and musicals in this 200-seat venue featuring shows from Kansas City Actors Theatre and Theatre for Young America.
• Escape Room KC: In this fun, challenging game, you and your team have 60 minutes to solve puzzles, crack codes and escape the room. Groups of two to 16 players are welcome.
• Disney100: The Exhibition: The Walt Disney Archives has opened its Vault of Treasures, showcasing more than 250 artifacts and works of art, costumes, props and memorabilia reflecting the company’s last 100 years.

Near Union Station

• Crown Center District: Located across the street from Union Station, this complex is filled with restaurants, shops and attractions like SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium, LEGOLAND^® Discovery Center, The Coterie Theatre, Hallmark Visitors Center, Kaleidoscope and more.
• Crossroads Arts District: This eclectic neighborhood of boutique shops, restaurants, creative businesses, studios and art galleries is just one stop from Union Station on the KC Streetcar.
• National WWI Museum and Memorial: Explore the world’s most comprehensive WWI collection and go to the top of the 217-foot Liberty Memorial Tower for a breathtaking view of the Kansas City skyline.
• Money Museum: Learn about the U.S. economy in this free museum inside the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. See how the bank processes millions of dollars each day, lift a real gold bar, view the historic Harry S. Truman coin collection and enjoy interactive exhibits.

Kansas City Entrepreneurship: Resources and Opportunities Beyond GEWKC

Don’t let the excitement of GEWKC fade when the final event ends. The entrepreneurial spirit ignited in Kansas City during this weeklong celebration is a powerful force that can fuel your business journey long after the conference concludes.

Kansas City’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem offers many resources to support your ongoing growth. The KCSourceLink Calendar provides a comprehensive list of free or low-cost events, classes and networking opportunities.

Get your free Personal Action Plan tailored to your specific goals. This free, customized roadmap will guide you toward the people and organizations that can help you keep your momentum going.

By actively participating in Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community, you’ll continue to learn, grow and connect with like-minded individuals. Remember, the journey doesn’t end after GEWKC – it’s just beginning.

For all GEWKC questions and inquiries, email [email protected] or call KCSourceLink at 816-235-6500.

Photo courtesy of Kent Auf Der Heide Photography and Kansas City Union Station.