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Date ArticleType
8/30/2016 Member News
GREAT LAKES BAY REGIOANL ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES ENTREPRENEURIAL FAIR Mike Finney to Deliver Keynote Address

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: August 30, 2016
CONTACT: Matthew Felan, 804-347-6840, [email protected]

GREAT LAKES BAY REGIOANL ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES ENTREPRENEURIAL FAIR Mike Finney to Deliver Keynote Address

The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance announced today that it will be hosting its first ever Entrepreneurial Fair on Friday, September 30th at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU). Mike Finney, President and CEO of Community Ventures Resources, Inc. and SVSU alumnus, will deliver the keynote address at the Entrepreneurial Fair. The Entrepreneurial Fair will take place from 8:00 am - 12:30 pm at Curtiss Hall. There will be two panels featuring regional entrepreneurs as well as entrepreneurial programs located within the Great Lakes Bay Region. The event is open to the public and is free of charge for attendees.

“The Great Lakes Bay Region is home to an incredible array of entrepreneurial expertise,” said Matthew Felan, President & CEO of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance. “We hope that the Entrepreneurial Fair will help link those people in the region who would like to start their own business with programs, funding, and resources that are readily available.”

Various regional institutions will be participating in the Entrepreneurial Fair including the SVSU Dow Entrepreneurship Institute, Central Michigan University Research Corporation, Northwood University, MidMichigan Innovation Center, Small Business Development Centers at Delta College and Mid Michigan Community College, Bay Future, the Midland Business Alliance, Middle Michigan Development Corporation, and Saginaw Future.

"SVSU is committed to community engagement and working with regional employers in many different ways. Having our Dow Entrepreneurship Institute host this Entrepreneurial Fair with the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance and other stakeholders is an ideal way to support more economic development in our community," said Anthony Bowrin, interim dean of SVSU's College of Business & Management. "The fair will provide many opportunities for participants to network, share ideas and resources, and collaborate on initiatives that will facilitate business and economic activity and increase high paying jobs."

The Entrepreneurial Fair will also include a 90 minute segment where aspiring entrepreneurs will have time to meet one-on-one with representatives from various regional institutions, to discuss their programs and potential partnerships firsthand.

“Every company started with an entrepreneur that had a dream and they were able to turn their dream into a reality; we now have resources to assist those looking to branch off in that direction,” said Erin Strang, President and CEO of Central Michigan University Research Corporation.

Entrepreneurial Fair Agenda:

7:30 am – Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00 am – Welcome – President Donald Bachand, SVSU
8:05 am – Opening Remarks & Keynote Introduction, Matthew Felan, GLBRA
8:15 am – Keynote - Mike Finney, President & CEO of Community Ventures Resources
9:00 am – Entrepreneur Panel (Successful Business Owners/Entrepreneurs)
10:00 am – Entrepreneurial Program Panel (Institutions & Organizations)
11:00 am – Institution Booth Visits & Networking
12:30 pm – Closing Remarks

About the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance:
The mission of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance is to encourage, support and celebrate regional collaboration and initiatives that will improve the economic vitality and quality of life in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance is comprised of 48 Board Members who represent Bay, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw counties. www.greatlakesbay.com