We invite you to “Striking the Right Notes on Entrepreneurship,” a national conference set against the backdrop of a wonderfully enterprising city.  Those who haven’t visited Memphis before will be impressed by its strong climate of entrepreneurship, not to mention its southern hospitality. 

“Striking the Right Notes on Entrepreneurship” will advance the role of entrepreneurship in the economy and in the fabric of our communities.  It will take a fresh look at policies and practices that encourage and support entrepreneurship.  Best practices will be highlighted and all the elements needed to create the right foundation for enterprise in communities, regions and states will be discussed.

The conference is organized in three tracks: policy and strategic networks, finance and services.  Since there are uneven entrepreneurial levels between communities, regions and states, the sessions are designed to answer tough questions, such as:  “What makes one community entrepreneurial and others not?”  “What can a community do to successfully organize itself for enterprise and new ventures?”  Everything from partnerships to loan funds to research will be explored.  And participants will gain valuable knowledge to help entrepreneurship take root in their communities and thrive.

The conference has been planned in consultation with some of the nation’s foremost leaders,  representing foundations, nonprofit institutions and the financial industry.

Who should attend?

Commercial lenders, CRA officers, CEOs of financial institutions, venture capitalists, and representatives of foundations, governments, higher education policy centers, community and economic development organizations, and associations representing small business owner.