Want to Host an In-Person or Virtual GEWKC Event? Here’s Your Chance

Kansas City, Mo. (July 19, 2021) — Global Entrepreneurship Week – Kansas City, the metro’s largest annual celebration of entrepreneurship, is seeking event submissions from the community to help aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners build their operations and be more resilient for the future.

“Even though pandemic restrictions are over, we know the struggle to keep doors open is very real, so that’s why this year we’re engineering GEWKC to spread far and wide across the metro,” says Jenny Miller, senior director of regional ecosystem development at the UMKC Innovation Center and a GEWKC organizer. “No matter if someone started a business out of necessity or opportunity, GEWKC can help them recover and strengthen their business, as well as help aspiring business owners take the first steps with expert advice and great connections.”

Now expanded across seven days, GEWKC 2021 (Nov. 8 – 14) will offer an exciting mix of in-person and virtual events driven entirely by the community. Events will help entrepreneurs in key areas as well as provide plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, experts and other contacts who can help attendees reach the next level.

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Submissions for events are open July 19 through Aug. 27. Those interested in hosting can visit gewkc.org at that time to submit their event idea for consideration. This year, prospective event hosts will submit for events in five “tracks”: Startups, Scalers, Social Enterprise, Youth Entrepreneurship, and Inclusion and Entrepreneurship.

“During Global Entrepreneurship Week – Kansas City, the doers, dreamers and risk takers in our community provide their expert insight, lessons learned, tips and connections to help everyone who attends reach the next step on their entrepreneurial journey,” says GEWKC organizer Dr. Jacquie Hadnot of Purpose Life Coaching & Consulting LLC. Jacquie is one of 21 volunteer community leaders and entrepreneurs who are helping recruit, curate and organize events for GEWKC 2021. “The pandemic has impacted our entrepreneurs, so this year, we’re giving the reins to the community to inform, inspire and uplift at a time when new perspectives and fresh opportunities are key.”

Those interested in presenting are also asked to submit an event description and additional details for logistics and contact information. Hosts selected for GEWKC events will be notified in September. There will not be a base camp this year, so event hosts must arrange their own venue and/or technology to stream their event. We encourage hosts to check their respective city pandemic restrictions and guidelines.

This community-wide format features interactive GEWKC virtual and in-person events throughout the community so even more people can attend (wherever they are in the metro) to network, interact, connect, learn and have fun. Interested speakers can visit gewkc.org between July 19 and Aug. 27 to submit a proposal to host a GEWKC event.

The 2021 GEWKC organizing committee is:

  • Ron Allen, Exigo Business Solutions
  • Cheryl Aufdemberge, Big Red Tech Works LLC
  • Dean G. Blevins, Nazarene Theological Seminary
  • Sheyvette Dinkens, E-Ship Rising
  • Megan Finck, Square One Small Business Services by Mid-Continent Public Library
  • Shea Geist, Shark OFF
  • Dr. Jacquie Hadnot, Purpose Life Coaching & Consulting LLC
  • Connie Jabara, Sunflower Benefits Group
  • Chanté L. Keller, KCSourceLink
  • David Komar, Culture Guide
  • Mary Koplin, Sunflower Benefits Group
  • Salvador Lopez, AltCap
  • Jenny Miller, KCSourceLink
  • Gabe Muñoz, Forward Cities / The Toolbox: Small Business Resource Center
  • Beth Omecene Epperson, Middle Man Marketing
  • Mark O’Renick, Will & Grail
  • Morgan Perry, Square One Small Business Services by Mid-Continent Public Library
  • Carolyn Santos, Startup Grind
  • Tovah Tanner, Royale Cohesive Network
  • Rick Usher, Community Leader
  • Suzanne Wheeler, Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce

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