GEW event series set for 7-day, hybrid return; now accepting presenter submissions 

Global Entrepreneurship Week Kansas City, the metro’s largest annual celebration of entrepreneurship, is seeking event submissions from the community to help aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners build their operations and be more resilient for the future.

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What is Global Entrepreneurship Week?

During one week each November, thousands of events and competitions around the world inspire millions of people to engage in entrepreneurship while they connect with potential collaborators, mentors and investors. Since it launched in 2008, Global Entrepreneurship Week has expanded to 170 countries, building and strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems around the world.

Click here to learn more about GEWKC.

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“Even though pandemic restrictions are over, we know the struggle to keep doors open is very real, so that’s why this year we’re engineering GEWKC to spread far and wide across the metro,” said Jenny Miller, a lead GEWKC organizer and senior director of regional ecosystem development at the UMKC Innovation Center. “No matter if someone started a business out of necessity or opportunity, GEWKC can help them recover and strengthen their business, as well as help aspiring business owners take the first steps with expert advice and great connections.”

Now expanded across seven days, GEWKC 2021 is set for Nov. 8-14 and is expected to offer an exciting mix of in-person and virtual events driven entirely by the community, Miller added. Events will help entrepreneurs in key areas as well as provide plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, experts and other contacts who can help attendees reach the next level, she said.

Prospective event hosts will submit for events in five “tracks”: Startups, Scalers, Social Enterprise, Youth Entrepreneurship, and Inclusion and Entrepreneurship.

Click here to submit an event idea for considerations. Submissions are accepted through Aug. 27.

Those interested in presenting are also asked to submit an event description and additional details for logistics and contact information. Hosts selected for GEWKC events will be notified in September.

Because there will not be a base camp, or central location for events, event hosts must arrange their own venue and/or technology to stream their event virtually. Organizers encourage hosts to check their respective city pandemic restrictions and guidelines.

“During Global Entrepreneurship Week Kansas City, the doers, dreamers and risk takers in our community provide their expert insight, lessons learned, tips and connections to help everyone who attends reach the next step on their entrepreneurial journey,” said Jacquie Hadnot, another GEWKC 2021 organizer. “The pandemic has impacted our entrepreneurs, so this year, we’re giving the reins to the community to inform, inspire and uplift at a time when new perspectives and fresh opportunities are key.”

Hadnot, an empowerment speaker and business and purpose life coach, is one of 21 volunteer community leaders and entrepreneurs who are helping recruit, curate and organize events for GEWKC 2021.

The 2021 GEWKC organizing committee includes:

• Ron Allen, Exigo Business Solutions
• Cheryl Aufdemberge, Big Red Tech Works LLC
• Dean G. Blevins, Nazarene Theological Seminary
• Sheyvette Dinkens, E-Ship Rising
• Megan Finck, Square One Small Business Services by Mid-Continent Public Library
• Shea Geist, Shark OFF
• Dr. Jacquie Hadnot, Purpose Life Coaching & Consulting LLC
• Connie Jabara, Sunflower Benefits Group
• Chanté L. Keller, KCSourceLink
• David Komar, Culture Guide
• Mary Koplin, Sunflower Benefits Group
• Salvador Lopez, AltCap
• Jenny Miller, KCSourceLink
• Gabe Muñoz, Forward Cities / The Toolbox: Small Business Resource Center
• Beth Omecene Epperson, Middle Man Marketing
• Mark O’Renick, Will & Grail
• Morgan Perry, Square One Small Business Services by Mid-Continent Public Library
• Carolyn Santos, Startup Grind
• Tovah Tanner, Royale Cohesive Network
• Rick Usher, Community Leader
• Suzanne Wheeler, Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce