MILWAUKEE – A talented line-up of entrepreneurs, investors and other start-up business experts will be featured in nearly 20 workshops and panel discussions at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, June 7-8, 2011, in Milwaukee.
To register for the conference, to be held at The Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave., go to: http://www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/events/ent_conf/
Entrepreneurs can learn from others who have launched companies and products – and who have experienced many highs and lows along the way. The list includes: Thomas Alberti, Really Light Stuff; Benjamin Bartling, ZoomShift; Bill Bensman, Spreenkler Talent Labs; Brian Cole, Innovative Sports Strategies; Romke de Haan, Spreenkler Talent Labs; John Dinusson, OrthoCor Medical; Kelly Fitzsimmons, HarQen; Steve Glynn, Spreenkler Talent Labs; Jeff Harris, GenProbe/Prodesse; Matt Howard, BadgerBites.com; Ted Kanavas, New River Technologies; Jeff Koser, Selling to Zebras; Kevin Kreger, Kallows Engineering; Greg Meier, Spreenkler Talent Labs; Don Noskowiak, Liveyearbook; Matt Sabljak, Dactyl Transmedia; Tyler Sailsbery, NoMoreDorms.com; Tom Shannon, GenProbe/Prodesse; Chad Sorenson, SoloGear; and Dan Voell, KnockDown Ninja.
A number of current investors who have helped bring start-up companies to the next stage will also present. They include: Brian Birk, Sun Mountain Capital; Scott Button, Venture Investors; Paul Carbone, Baird Venture Partners; Dan Einhorn, Capital Midwest; Ted Feierstein, PrimeMetriX; Joe Hildebrandt, Phenomonelle Angels/DaneVest Tech Fund; Ryan Jeffery, Lightbank; Judy Owen, Calumet Venture Fund; Jim Pavlik, Baird Venture Partners; Toni Sikes, Calumet Venture Fund; Jason Smith, Peak Ridge Capital; and Brad Taylor, Wisconsin Investment Partners.
Other moderators and presenters include service experts, many of whom are veteran entrepreneurs or investors, who will offer solutions to common problems faced by start-ups and early stage companies. They include: Zach Brandon, Wisconsin Angel Network; Darin Buelow, Deloitte; Mark Ehrmann, Quarles & Brady; Jonathan Fritz, AlphaTech Counsel; Tony Handzlik, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren; Paul Jones, Michael Best & Friedrich; Brett Koeller, Godfrey & Kahn; Eric Lenzen, Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek; Dave Linz, Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network; Greg Lynch, Michael Best & Friedrich; Eric Paulsen, BizStarts; Laura Schmitz, UW-Milwaukee Small Business Development Center; John Schulze, Public Service Commission; Parker Shipley, Milwaukee Field Office, FBI; Frank Stellato, MyHealth Direct; Tom Still, Wisconsin Technology Council; Melissa Turczyn, Michael Best & Friedrich; Rodney Van Bibber, Grant Thornton; and Mark Winscher, Wisconsin Security Research Consortium.
Government leaders who have engaged in growing Wisconsin’s economy will also make remarks, including Wisconsin Department of Commerce Secretary Paul Jadin, Commerce Technology Development Manager Aaron Hagar and others to be announced.
“We thrilled to offer such an experienced array of panelists, presenters and workshop leaders for the Entrepreneurs’ Conference,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, which produces the event with the help of a Milwaukee-based steering committee. “It will be a valuable experience for entrepreneurs who want to learn from others who have walked down their paths.”
Other highlights of the ninth annual Entrepreneurs’ Conference include:
- Headline speeches by Tim Kane of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Jeff Rusinow, founder of Silicon Pastures; Joe Sweeney, author of “Networking is a Contact Sport;” and Mark Schmitz, principal and creative director of ZEBRADOG;
- The Top 12: Finalists in the Governor’s Business Plan Contest square off;
- Ken Hendricks Memorial “Seize the Day” Award
- “Start-up Café” offering one-on-one instruction on social media, lean start-up and mobile applications
- Plenty of chances to network over food and refreshments!
The Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference is produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council, the independent, non-profit science and technology advisers to the Governor and the Legislature. It serves as a catalyst for the growth of Wisconsin’s tech-based and entrepreneurial economy.
Register or learn more by visiting www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/events/ent_conf.
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