GEWKC Insiders’ Guide: Get the Most out of Global Entrepreneurship Week – KC 2022

Global Entrepreneurship Week – Kansas City, aka #GEWKC, is one of the most magical times of the year (in our humble opinion). From Nov. 14-20, business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, champions of entrepreneurship and inquisitive folks can attend more than 150 classes, panels and workshops dedicated to all things entrepreneurship for free right here in Kansas City. Everyone is welcome, and there is absolutely no-cost to attend.

This is your time to meet folks from all walks of life in the KC entrepreneurial ecosystem. You’ll be bumping elbows with investors, makers, serial entrepreneurs, educators, established business owners, newbies and everyone else in between. Take advantage of this time and meet as many people as you can.

For many business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, this is where they make big networking connections or become inspired. Share this event with every hustler, maker, doer, creator, entrepreneur you know! Grab a friend and take them to a session with you. 

[[CTA]]

Because there are so many things happening this week, you might feel overwhelmed, especially if this is your first time at #GEWKC. No worries, in true KCSourceLink fashion, we’re here to help you. We put together this unofficial guide on what you need to know about GEW.

Don’t forget to read over the FAQ. Still confused? Send us a message.

Now let’s dive in.

Sign up, build your agenda and check in to sessions

The week will go by fast, so you want to be prepared. Register (for free) and build your agenda from over 150 sessions.

From Nov. 14-20, visit the registration desk inside base camp locations: iWerx North Kansas City, Chappell’s Restaurant and Sports Museum, Restless Spirits and Chicken N Pickle and pick up your badge which features a scannable QR code that takes your straight to the agenda on the online GEWKC platform, where you can sign up or log in to pick your sessions.

NOTE: Registering for a session does not guarantee your seat. You must arrive at the venue and check in to each session on your GEWKC agenda that you’ve registered for to attend.

All of the sessions are crowdsourced from the community and span topics on everything from marketing to exporting to self-care to legal assistance; if it’s related to business, there’s a session for it.

The sessions are grouped into four tracks: Startup, Scalers, Inclusive Community Builders, Youth and Makers, Artists and Creators. You can attend any of these sessions, no matter your background, so don’t feel like you’re tied to one track.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the tracks and what they mean:

Makers, Artists and Creators: those who make and create, such as brewers, bakers, inventors, crafters, etc.
Startup: those who want to dip their toes into a new business venture or need help navigating
business ownership
Scalers: those who’ve survived the startup phase but haven’t yet reached maturity and are eager to grow their business
Youth: those young entrepreneurs who are our future small business owners
Inclusive Community Builders: those who strive include all voices to build a great entrepreneur community

Did we mention there are a lot of classes? With more than 150 sessions, it can be hard to pick which sessions to attend. Check out the featured sessions in the #GEWKC printed agenda for the top headliner sessions to attend.

Here are headline sessions you don’t want to miss:

How to Get Free Media Exposure for Your Business: 11 a.m. – Noon Nov. 14 at Chicken N Pickle

Community Creates Innovation:  Noon – 1:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at Spark Coworking Kansas City

2022 Global Entrepreneurship Week Kickoff, Sponsored by Husch Blackwell: 4 – 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at Chicken N Pickle

Made to Scale: Lessons Learned from Local Entrepreneurs, Networking Breakfast with The Kansas City Business Journal: 8 – 10 a.m. Nov. 15 at  iWerx North Kansas City Pavillion

How to Make the Leap from Small Business to Tech Startup: 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Nov. 15 at iWerx Pavillion

Youth, Our Future Entrepreneurs: Programs and Resources to Support Them: 3 – 5 p.m. Nov. 16 at Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City

Show Up for Yourself and Your Business!: 3:45 – 5:15 p.m. Nov. 16 at Chicken N Pickle

Resources for Artist Entrepreneurs: 4 – 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at iWerx Pavillion

Movie Lovers Unite: Local Filmmakers Panel and Movie Night with Screenland Armour: 5:30 – 9 p.m. Nov. 16 at Screenland Armour Theatre

How to Start a Business (Legal + Accounting): Noon – 1 p.m. Nov. 17 (Virtual)

AltCap Your Biz Awards Reception: 5:30 – 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at iWerx Pavillion

Evolution of the High Heels: Sis, We Should All Be Millionaires: 7 – 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at The Blakk Co.

Launch Your Restaurant or Food Truck: 12:15 – 1:45 p.m. Nov. 18 at Restless Spirits

2022 Global Entrepreneurship Week Closeout Event: Tales of Resiliency: 4 – 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at iWerx Pavillion

Pasos Esenciales para Abrir Su Negocio de Camiones de Comida (Food Truck): 10:30 a.m. – Noon Nov. 19 at The Toolbox: Small Business Resource Center

Keystone Ventures Career Fair w/ Keystone & Venture for America: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Nov. 19 at Keystone CoLAB

Going to one of these sessions? Make sure everyone knows you’re hyped by sharing the unique session link on social media.

Not sure which sessions to attend next? Ask the KCSourceLink folks at the registration desk or anyone in a black GEWKC shirt for suggestions. Better yet, ask a fellow attendee.

If you’re in a session and realize it’s over your head or not what you expected, it’s totally cool to walk out and find a different session. Attend as many or as few sessions as you want. Sessions run from morning to evening so everyone can participate.

What to bring

A lot of attendees make an entire day or week out of #GEWKC. We highly recommend carving out a large chunk of your own time to make sure you can attend as many sessions as you can.

Did we mention you’ll be busy? Make sure you have everything you need for the best time at #GEWKC.

Here’s what you need to bring:

• • Business cards: You’ll meet so many different people. Make sure you bring enough business cards (at least 50) so you can follow up with your new connections.
  • Your digital GEW agenda: Make sure you’ve signed up or logged in and built your GEWKC at gewkc.org. Register for all of the sessions you want to attend so you don’t miss anything. When you attend each session, make sure to check in on your digital agenda. This can all be done on your phone.
  • A notepad: You’ll probably need a notebook to write down all your thoughts and those “aha!” moments.
  • Your phone: Share what you learn with those who couldn’t make it. Rising tides lift all boats. Lift some boats.
  • Comfy footwear: GEWKC base camp locations are spread across five nearby location in the heart of North Kansas City, Missouri. They’re all clustered near one another and near food and drink options, but you will appreciate some comfortable shoes to do all that potential walking.

What to do and where to go

Outside of attending sessions, here are some key locations for extra #GEWKC awesomeness:

Ask all the questions.
Learn something new and want to get help implementing what you just learned? Find someone at the check in desks at base camp locations in North Kansas City and our friendly folks will be able to assist you.

Grab a bite. Be entertained.
Explore the heart of North Kansas City, Missouri, and grab a dram, a pint, a meal or some coffee with fellow GEWKC-ers. Explore BuyKC.org and find locations you can support in North Kansas City and across the metro.

Don’t lose momentum

When #GEWKC ends, your brain is going to be stuffed with so many great ideas. Don’t lose them!

If you need to start or grow your business, find a KCSourceLink staffer at one of the check-in desks at each base camp location in North Kansas City. Your Personal Action Plan is a free customized list of resources curated just for your business needs. We’ll tell you exactly whom to talk with and the next steps to take so you can keep your business momentum growing.

Psst … you don’t have to wait until #GEWKC to get a Personal Action Plan. Fill out this form now, and you’ll have your plan in no time! Boom.

Wish this could happen all year?

It does! There are free or low-cost business events happening all year long right here in KC. Go to the KCSourceLink Calendar for Kansas City’s most comprehensive business calendar. Find networking events, marketing classes, legal help, HR courses and everything else in between happening all over the Kansas City metro.