A one-day entrepreneur conference
One day in Fairfield, Iowa for founders, makers, and the people who back them. Learn something useful, meet your people, and stay for pitch night.
What it is
A one-day conference to celebrate and educate entrepreneurs who hope to build, are building, or are scaling a startup.
Our goal: 75–100 attendees from Fairfield, Mt. Pleasant, Washington, and Oskaloosa, including MIU and Indian Hills students.
Keynotes and short talks from founders, investors, and operators. Practical, honest, no fluff.
Coffee breaks and a networking lunch with people from across the region. Light breakfast is under consideration.
An evening reception and Shark Tank business pitch event hosted by Ben Picard in the theater of the Arts and Convention Center, followed by awards and a celebration.
Who it's for
The day
Alex's tentative program: daytime sessions at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, then an evening reception and Shark Tank pitch event in the theater of the Arts and Convention Center, all under one roof. All times are local.
Coffee; light breakfast under consideration.
Choose between two programs.
Choose between two programs.
Optional lunchtime keynote, 1:30–2:15 pm, under consideration.
Everyone in the main theater, with no breakouts running at the same time. A panel of people working with AI on where it is heading, what is happening now, and how to understand it instead of fearing it.
Choose between two programs.
An inspiring entrepreneurial story is under consideration.
Reconvene in the theater of the Arts and Convention Center.
Hosted by Ben Picard. Three to five pitches, four minutes each. In the theater of the Arts and Convention Center.
A few words with FACC director David Rodwin (potential, not yet confirmed).
Planning outline only. Date, venues, speakers, session assignments, and food arrangements are not confirmed.
Potential breakout topics
Topics under consideration for the six breakout programs. Final assignments will follow.
Two separate breakouts under consideration, based on popularity.
Next steps for turning an idea into a business.
Proposed panel: friends and fools, venture capital, and everything in between.
Intellectual property, trademarks, and copyright.
Proposed panel: SBDC, Iowa Center, JPEC, and state resources.
Incorporating video into your marketing mix.
Best practices; panel format under consideration. Potential speaker: Phyllis Kahr.
Speakers
Alex's planning shortlist—not confirmed speakers or announced participants. The preference is to involve as many local subject-matter experts as possible.
Bill Smith · Maharishi International University (MIU)
Potential; participation not yet confirmed
Eric Englemann · Tej Dowan · Liz Keener
Tom Altman · Tara Allen · Joshua McNary
Brent Stinsky
Troy Van Beek · Polo · Anna Spanton
Lori Wheaton · Kelly Prickett · Shelly Herr (possible Musco Lighting affiliation; to verify)
Brown Winnick · Fredrickson · Neimaster (law firms listed in the outline)
MacKenzie Graham (independent startup lawyer, per the outline)
Names and affiliations are reproduced from the planning outline and need verification before public announcement.
Pitch a talkWhere
Daytime learning at the Arts Center, then an evening reception and Shark Tank pitch event in the theater of the Arts and Convention Center. Arrangements remain tentative.
Sponsors
Entre Day is built by and for the community. Sponsors keep it affordable for founders and students, and get in front of the people starting the region's next businesses.
Stay in the loop
Get the date, speakers, and tickets the moment they're announced. No spam, just Entre Day news.
Questions? Email info@entreday.net