Venture West Educational Programs For Wyoming’s Entrepreneurial Communities- 5/6 – Laramie, WY

2004-05-06 14:00:00
Ramada Center Hotel at 2313 Soldier Springs Road, Laramie, WY

Venture West, Wyoming’s premier networking organization for entrepreneurs, announced today that it will open its 2004 program schedule on Thursday, May 6th, with Leading at the Speed of Growth. This session will provide a roadmap for entrepreneurs determined to grow their companies and transform themselves into great entrepreneurial leaders.

Dr. Jana Matthews, co-author of Leading at the Speed of Growth: Journey from Entrepreneur to CEO as well as seven other books on entrepreneurship will discuss the challenges of growth, as well as a business leader’s changing roles and responsibilities during the “Initial”, “Rapid”, and “Continuous Stages of Growth” outlined in her books. She has worked with a myriad of associations and companies including Deloitte & Touche, Young Entrepreneurs Association, IBM, National Business Incubation Association, and Avaya.

“Dr. Matthews has helped entrepreneurs around the world learn how to build successful businesses,” said Kim Vincent, 2004 president of Venture West. “We’re pleased to have her share that expertise and guidance here in Wyoming.”

Four entrepreneurs will also present their business plans. The meeting will be held at the Ramada Center Hotel at 2313 Soldier Springs Road (intersection of I-80 and Hwy 287) in Laramie and starts at 5:30 pm. Seating is very limited.

IN-DEPTH WORKSHOPS TO BE OFFERED IN 2004

In addition, Venture West has announced that it will host a series of workshops in 2004 that will focus on assisting entrepreneurs in maturing, financing, and operating their companies. The first workshop is entitled Financing The Growth of Your Business and will provide information on the steps business owners need to take to secure the cash flow to establish and grow their business. Running from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on May 6, this half-day workshop will also be held at the Ramada Center Hotel, and will feature a panel of experts from the entrepreneurial and finance community.

Representatives from successful businesses that have survived the financing cycle will discuss the ins-and-outs of start-up business financing. The workshop will be suitable for entrepreneurs, investors, economic development professionals, and financial service providers.

Confirmed panelists include:

Brian Knitt & Phil Parrott – Cheyenne Capital Fund – equity financing

Mike Peck – First Interstate Bank –debt financing

Ben Avery – Wyoming Business Council – grants & government financing

Arlene Soto – Small Business Development Center – business plan development

“Venture West provides a outlet for professionals like myself to give something to the entrepreneurial community here in Wyoming,” says Knitt, of Cheyenne Capital Fund. “We find it is a great resource in identifying potential investments.”

To encourage participation in the workshop, the Wyoming Business Council will pay $10 towards the workshop fee for the first 20 individuals that register. The afternoon workshop is $10 for members of Venture West and $15 for non-members. The evening program is $30 for non-members and $40 for members. Please visit http://www.venturewest.org to register for the dinner program, workshop, and to become a member of Venture West.

ABOUT VENTURE WEST

Venture West is a non-profit networking club started in August 2000 by a group of Wyoming private and public sector leaders dedicated to building an entrepreneurial community in Wyoming. Venture West encourages entrepreneurship by organizing quarterly meetings to provide educational and networking opportunities for high growth entrepreneurs and the service providers and investors that support them. More information is available on the web at http://www.venturewest.org.

###

Venture West

http://www.venturewest.org

Please feel free to distribute this release to any interested colleagues.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joseph Heywood

Venture West Marketing Committee

(307) 721-2388