Fargodome hosts annual entrepreneurial gathering
Aspiring entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, corporations and business leaders will come together Tuesday and Wednesday in the Fargodome for the 18th annual Marketplace for Entrepreneurs.
The event is North Dakota’s largest and longest-running economic development conference and brings together hundreds of different entrepreneurs and leaders to discuss the latest innovations and share skills and technology.
Arthur Rolnick, a leading official of the Federal Reserve Bank, will speak at the Marketplace for Entrepreneurs pre-conference luncheon, noon, Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Fargodome.
The luncheon is held before Marketplace officially kicks off as part of a series of meetings for regional economic development organizations, venture capitalists and entrepreneurial competition sponsors.
Rolnick, a noted economist, will offer his prognosis for the 2007 economy and share strategies to spark economic development in North Dakota.
“Arthur Rolnick is an expert on economic development. His extensive research has revealed key strategies that can enable a community to excel and prosper both economically and educationally,” said U.S. Senator Kent Conrad and Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, the founders of Marketplace.
Rolnick is senior vice president and director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and an associate economist with the Federal Open Market Committee.
The public can attend the finals of the Marketplace Talent Search Tuesday night, the state’s new and exciting musical talent competition. Ninety-two contestants auditioned for the contest before the field was narrowed to eight finalists.
The finalists will compete for more than $12,000 in prizes. The free concert kicks off at the Fargodome at 8:00 p.m.
On Wednesday, Marketplace opens its exhibit floor doors to the public with classes beginning at 8:30 a.m.
A new event this year is the 1st Annual Experiences of Entrepreneurs: A CEO/Collegiate Student Exchange from 11 12:45 p.m. in room 203.
The event is co-hosted by Marketplace and the Concordia Students in Free Enterprise Team and is free to all college students.
The luncheon is a networking opportunity for students to visit with top CEO’s and entrepreneurs, as well as a roundtable forum for participants to share ideas during the
At noon, General Chuck Wald, a North Dakota native and national leader on energy issues, will give the Marketplace keynote address, “Energy: America’s Great Challenge North Dakota’s Great Opportunity.”
Wald, a graduate of North Dakota State University, will discuss how North Dakota can play a pivotal role in making the nation more energy independent.
Workshops and presentations on various subjects will occur throughout the two-day event.
For a complete listing of events or more information, visit www.MarketplaceforEntrepreneurs.org.