Office of University Relations - Campus News

MARTIN, Tenn. – Advance registration is currently in progress for the West Tennessee Regional Entrepreneur Conference slated for Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center in Jackson.

The title of the conference is “Why Small business makes a Big difference.” The conference mission is to help small business achieve its potential so it, too, can make a big difference.

Retired Navy commander Debbie O’Bryant, from Carroll County, will deliver the keynote speech “Everyone Benefits When Hiring Veterans.”

The agenda for the conference includes registration and breakfast, 7:30 a.m., sponsored by Aeneas Internet Services; a welcome by UT Martin Chancellor Tom Rakes, City of Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris. Breakout sessions are set for 9 a.m., while concurrent sessions run throughout the morning and into the afternoon.

The sessions include:
· Starting a new business: What to do First? Presented by Landy Fuqua, director, UT Martin Reed Center/Tennessee Small Business Development Center.
· When to hire and Fire: What about benefits? Presented by Wendi Carlson, vice president, human resources, West Tennessee Healthcare.
· Importance of Social Media/Website. Presented by Craig Ingram, interim director, UT Martin Instructional Technology Center.
· Where’s the Money? Funding Resources. Presented by JoAnna Morris, community bank president, First South Bank, Brownsville; and Chris Williams, client relationship manager, Pathway Lending, Jackson.
· Security/Securing Your Business from Physical and Cyber Threats. Presented by Steven L. Champine, special agent, FBI, Memphis Division – Jackson.
· What Can the Entrepreneur Centers do to Help You? By Carol Reed, executive director, Northwest Tennessee Entrepreneur Center; and Dr. Linda Garrard, executive director, Southwest Tennessee Entrepreneur Center.
· Success with Etsy: Pinterest with Prices. Presented by Jacque Hillman, owner, The HillHelen Group.
· The Power of 5 – Daily Strategies Every Entrepreneur Needs to Master. Presented by Dave Bratcher, vice president of financial services, West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation.
· Branding/Marketing. Presented by Jason Bramblett, The Bramblett Group, Henderson.

Resource booths and networking opportunities will be offered following the concurrent sessions.

Lunch is set for noon, and the lunch speaker is Joe Rowell, vice chairman, Global Payment Technologies (GPT) in Memphis, formerly owner of Check Solutions.
The 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year will be announced at 12:45 p.m.

The conference will conclude with door prizes.

The conference fee is $50 per person and includes breakfast, lunch, networking and lots of information.

To register for the conference, go online to www.utm.edu/weststar or email vgrimes@utm.edu or jjohn253@utm.edu.

For more information, or for booth or sponsorship information, call 731-881-7298.

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