18th Marketplace for Entrepreneurs
Boats, parade floats, automatic flower diggers and an Grammy-nominated musician were just a few features showcased at the 18th Annual Marketplace for Entrepreneurs held Jan. 16-17 at the Fargodome.
“The Marketplace is about opportunity and developing our economy in North Dakota, so more people can enjoy a higher quality of life,” U.S. Senator Kent Conrad and Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson said in a statement.
Marketplace featured workshops, seminars and classes that offered hands-on real-world training for people to learn new skills, become better business leaders and seek opportunities to improve the quality of their lives.
Gen. Chuck Wald, a national energy expert, gave the keynote address Wednesday. He discussed the Bold Act, which is a mix of tax credits, research grants and new fuel standards that will turn America away from Middle East energy dependence and toward the Midwest.
“North Dakota can use it’s vast resources to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, keep energy prices affordable and grow our state’s economy with new, high-paying jobs,” Senator Conrad and Commissioner Johnson said in a press release. “That’s what Marketplace is all about: growing North Dakota from within.”
Jillian Law, a 22-year-old from Grand Forks, was selected as the winner of the 2007 Marketplace Talent Search Tuesday night.
The eight finalists who performed were chosen from more than 90 entrants from across the state.
Law wowed the judges and live audience of nearly 1,000 people, and took home more than $12,000 in cash and prizes.
In addition, Jillian will receive a recording session with Makoche Recording Company, a Grammy-nominated studio in Bismarck.
The audience was able to help in the selection of the Talent Search by their applause. A meter ranked the audience’s reaction to each contestant.
Marketplace opened the exhibit floor doors Wednesday morning to the public withmore than 300 exhibitors and hundreds of classes available to anyone interested in learning new business skills, starting a new business or improving an existing business.
Keith Bear stood by his booth and spoke about his Indian flute playing and how it became a business.
In addition to making his own flutes, he has produced seven CDs, played at national symphonies and been nominated for a Grammy Award.
“My eleven children are all musicians and love to play flute too,” Bear said.
Another booth, the Raney River Express, had a large float-size engine and caboose in as their display.
“This float is used in parades, social events, anniversaries, weddings, reunions and even as a shuttle,” part-owner Shirley Raney said. “My husband found it junked and restored it — we haven’t had so much fun in a long time and we’re making some good side money.”
This unique conference requires year round planning and close to $750,000. The money is donated from businesses, individuals and corporations.
“Students benefit greatly from participating in this because it includes interaction with leading regional employers, businesses and organizations that provide a support network of mentors, advisors and investors,” Johnson said. “Ten smaller ‘Marketplace for Kids’ Conferences were held in eight major cities throughout North Dakota. Grades four through six participate in these one day events by making their own entrepreneurship and presenting it.”
There are hundreds of booths displayed and close to 17,000 kids participate Johnson said. Marketplace for Kids was a spin-off of the Marketplace for Entrepreneurs.
The Marketplace is North Dakota’s largest and longest-running economic development conference. The event brings together hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, corporations, universities, foundations and community and business leaders to exchange ideas, discuss the latest innovations and share skills and technologies.
For more information about Marketplace for Entrepreneurs go to the web at www.marketplaceforentrepreneurs.org.