(Sparks Mayor Geno Martini Cuts Ribbon to Open NCET’s Reno Entrepreneur Expo)

Thanks to everyone who made the 2nd Annual Reno Entrepreneur Expo a tremendous success!

Nearly 1,000 attendees, exhibitors and speakers gathered on Saturday, March 15 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for this year’s Expo, which was free and open to the public.

The 80 exhibitors included non-profit groups, governmental agencies, and private companies, each there to help people start or grow small businesses. Complete list of exhibitors here

The 30 speakers and panelists provided expert advice on virtually every subject a small business might need, including financing, benefits, business plans and marketing.  Complete list of speakers and topics here

And, thanks to our generous sponsors for making this year’s Expo possible:

Nevada Commission on Economic Development

Noble Studios

Northern Nevada Business Weekly

David Branby Advertising

Charter Communications

EDAWN - Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada

Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce

Tanglewood Productions 

The Bosma Group

Hale Lane - Attorneys at Law 

KUNR 

Wells Fargo Bank

Stay tuned for information on how to exhibit at the 3rd Annual NCET’s Entrepreneur Expo

Reno - 2009

(Sparks Mayor Geno Martini Cuts Ribbon to Open NCET’s Reno Entrepreneur Expo)

Thanks to everyone who made the 2nd Annual Reno Entrepreneur Expo a tremendous success!

Nearly 1,000 attendees, exhibitors and speakers gathered on Saturday, March 15 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for this year’s Expo, which was free and open to the public.

The 80 exhibitors included non-profit groups, governmental agencies, and private companies, each there to help people start or grow small businesses. Complete list of exhibitors here

The 30 speakers and panelists provided expert advice on virtually every subject a small business might need, including financing, benefits, business plans and marketing.  Complete list of speakers and topics here

And, thanks to our generous sponsors for making this year’s Expo possible:

Nevada Commission on Economic Development

Noble Studios

Northern Nevada Business Weekly

David Branby Advertising

Charter Communications

EDAWN - Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada

Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce

Tanglewood Productions 

The Bosma Group

Hale Lane - Attorneys at Law 

KUNR 

Wells Fargo Bank

Stay tuned for information on how to exhibit at the 3rd Annual NCET’s Entrepreneur Expo

Reno - 2009

Small business owners wear many hats. And NCET’s Entrepreneur Expo is here to help them.

» Access to organizations that can help jump-start a business

» Expert advice on virtually every facet of starting and running a business

» 80 exhibitors - complete list of exhibitors

» 30 speakers and panelists - complete list of speakers and topics

Free - Open to the Public

Saturday, March 15, 2008

9 am -5 pm

Reno-Sparks Convention Center

Visit www.NCETexpo.com for more information

Small business (less than five employees)

Winner: Carol Betz (left) and Nicola Pieters (right), Mommy’s Little Helpers LLC
Judges’ comments: This pair developed the Guardian Sleeper, a blanket concept that provides snuggly comfort, as well as safe position to reduce the danger of SIDS.

Medium-sized business (five to 20 employees)

Winner: Dr. William Torch, chairman, Eye-Com Corp.
Judges’ comments: In 2007, the company reached several milestones in developing eye-tracking technology using revolutionary eye glasses.

Large business (More than 20 employees)

Winner: Thomas "Patrick" Conners, Tetrus Building Materials
Judges’ comments: Despite struggling, Tetrus expanded and diversified its business, opening a new branch in Carson City, launching a new transportation company and continued to research other areas for expansion.

Best New Entrepreneur: Companies formed in 2006 or later

Winner: Fernando Leal, managing partner for L3 Development LLC
Judges’ comments: With the Montage condominium project, Leal is committed to a revitalized tourist and local destination for downtown Reno and is using his expertise and contacts to ensure this transformation occurs.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Small business - Honorable Mention: Nathan Earl Robison, Robison Engineering Company Inc.
Medium-sized business - Darren McBride, Highly Reliable Systems
Large business - Bruce Robertson, Great Basin Internet Services Inc.
Best New Entrepreneur: Companies formed in 2006 or later - Mark Miller, the Diamond Vault

ABOUT THE AWARDS
The Reno Gazette-Journal Entrepreneur of the Year Awards were conducted in partnership with Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. The five winners were selected by judges from a field of more than 62 nominees. The judge panel included managers from the RGJ and selected honorees from last year’s program.

Honoring the winners
The winners will be honored at 5:30 pm. Monday during the kickoff reception for "eWeek Nevada," a weeklong celebration of Nevada’s entrepreneurs and small businesses sponsored by the Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. Admission to the kickoff event is $10 in advance and $20 at the door. It will held in the Red Mountain Building on the Truckee Meadow Community College campus. Call Emily Lowe, 337-3328, or e-mail Emily@NCET.org.  For more information on eWeek Nevada, visit www.eWeekNevada.com

…

March 11 – NNDA’s “Business Resource Forum & Workshops“* - Carson City - 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

March 11 – ActionCOACH - “6 Steps to a Better Business” - Reno - 6:00 - 8:00 pm

March 12 – NCET’s Wi-Fi Wednesday* - Chocolate Bar - 5:30 - 7:30 pm

March 13 – EDAWN Business Buzz* - 7:00 - 9:00 am - Atlantis

March 13 – Reno Angel’s Organizing Meeting* - 5:30 - 7:30 pm - Redfield Campus

March 15 – NCET’s Entrepreneur Expo - Reno Sparks Convention Center

*RSVPs and / or Donations Required

(Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman Cuts Ribbon to Open NCET’s Las Vegas Entrepreneur Expo)

Thanks to everyone who made the 1st Annual Las Vegas NCET Expo a tremendous success!

Over 600 attendees, exhibitors and speakers gathered on Saturday, March 1 at the Palace Station for the inaugural Expo, which was free and open to the public..  The 65+ exhibitors included non-profit groups, governmental agencies, and private companies, each there to help people start or grow small businesses.  (Complete list of exhibitors here)

The 25 speakers and panelists provided expert advice on virtually every subject a small business might need, including financing, benefits, business plans and marketing.  (Complete list of speakers and topics here.)

And, thanks to our generous sponsors for making this year’s Expo possible:

Washington Mutual
Nevada Commission on Economic Development
KLAV 1230 am – The Talk of Las Vegas
Las Vegas Chamber
Nevada Business Journal
TBAN
Vanguard Media
Vegas PBS
Status Group LLC
Barbara Grey Krause Designs 

Stay tuned for information on how to exhibit at the 2nd Annual NCET’s Entrepreneur Expo
Las Vegas - Spring 2009

www.flickr.com NCET.org’s Las Vegas Expo - March 2008 photoset Photos courtesy of Janice Routsong, Clark Country School District

“Do You Have What It Takes To Test Your Business Idea With Seasoned Businessmen and Investors?”

If you’ve got what it takes, send a ONE PAGE synopsis of your business idea to Emily Lowe (Emily@NCET.org) by 5 pm on Tuesday, March 11. We’ll notify the finalists by Thursday, March 13.

If you’re selected, you’ll attend "The Crucible" from 11:00 am until 1:00 am on Saturday, March 15 at the Reno Sparks Convention Center.  You’ll have 10 minutes to present the key aspects of your idea to a panel of seasoned local business people, and then field a series of questions. You’ll then receive brief feedback from the panel.

Each presenter will receive a free one year subscription to the Northern Nevada Business Weekly, and the winning presenter will receive a free NxLeveL course courtesy of the Nevada Small Business Development Center.

Sponsored by the Northern Nevada Business Weekly, Nevada Small Business Development Center and NCET - Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology.

Complete Rules Here

NCET’s Wi-Fi Wednesday and the Reno-Tahoe’s AMA’s Just Talk join forces for a special event on March 12 at the Chocolate Bar.  Smoozapalooza meets Speed Networking!

Please join us at 5:30 pm on March 12 at the Chocolate Bar, one of Reno’s hottest “Hot Spots.”

Wi-Fi Wednesday features:

- The very popular “Speed networking,” a twist on the “speed dating” concept that facilitates numerous one-on-one introductions in a short period of time
- Drink Specials
- Free Appetizers
- Great Door Prizes

Chocolate Bar
Wednesday, March 12 > 5:30 - 7:30 pm
475 S Arlington Ave
Reno, NV 89501
(775) 337-1122
$10 donation at door

RSVP ONLINE or to Emily Lowe at 775-337-3328 or Emily@NCET.org

My Start-Up Life:  Best Practices from a Young Entrepreneur
Speaker: Ben Casnocha, author, My Start-Up Life 

Morning Business Buzz
Thursday, March 13, 2008 7:00 - 9:00 AM 
Atlantis Casino Resort Ballroom

Drawing on his experiences as entrepreneur and the ones he gathered in writing his book, 21 year old author Ben Casnocha will discuss what it means to think entrepreneurially in all contexts, not just in the process of starting a business. He will present a series of ideas, facts, and provocative opinions around the entrepreneurial mentality and why it is essential in today’s hyper-connected, fast-changing world.  He’ll share how entrepreneurship has helped him become the CEO of his own life (and business).  More information here

RSVP Now

This event is held in conjunction with NCET’s Entrepreneur Week 2008. www.eweeknevada.com. 

Small business owners wear many hats. And NCET’s Entrepreneur can help!

If you have a small business or plan to start one, you should attend Saturday’s Expo. It’s free and open to the public. The Expo features:

- Access to organizations that can help jump-start a business
- Expert advice on virtually every facet of starting and running a business

75 exhibitors - Complete list of exhibitors

- Small Business Administration
- Nevada Small Business Development Center
- Nevada Microenterprise Initiative
- Management Assistance Partnership
- And, many many more!

25 speakers and panelists - Schedule and complete list of speaker

- Writing Business Plans
- Financing Your Business
- Licenses You Need
- Bookkeeping, Marketing, Networking
- And, many many more!

Saturday, March 1, 2008 - 8 am -3 pm - Palace Station Hotel

Free - Open to the Public

Visit www.NCETexpo.com for more information