TREP EXPO in Addison Gathers Entrepreneurship Thought Leaders to Strengthen Startup Community
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Media contact: Eric M. Eckert, (254) 710-1964
Baylor entrepreneurship department partners with Addison Economic Development, Dallas Entrepreneur Center for May 14-15 event
WACO, Texas (April 27, 2015) — Baylor University’s entrepreneurship program in the Hankamer School of Business is partnering with the town of Addison’s Economic Development department and the Dallas Entrepreneur Center (DEC) to offer entrepreneurs an opportunity for candid chats, networking time with successful serial entrepreneurs and funding strategists, and information sessions that address issues crucial to accelerating company growth.
TREP EXPO is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, May 14-15, in Addison and will feature a lineup of guest speakers, information sessions and panels designed to strengthen entrepreneurs. Discussion topics include: intellectual property, legal challenges of crowd funding, marketing and public relations for startups, online marketing and campaign optimization and raising capital through all venture stages.
“There are many challenges to building, growing and sustaining a profitable venture. TREP EXPO delivers support, hard-won insights and an opportunity to connect with entrepreneurship thought leaders,” said Mary Abrahams, associate director of Baylor’s John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business. “It is about value capture, best practices and transformational lessons to help entrepreneurs achieve their business goals.”
The event kicks off Thursday, May 14, at the Addison-based headquarters of Bottle Rocket, a custom application development company. Entrepreneur and former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis will be the keynote speaker for the evening. Representatives from startup companies, including those created by Baylor students, will be on hand to discuss their ventures.
TREP EXPO continues Friday, May 15, at The Addison TreeHouse, a resource-centered co-working space for entrepreneurs. Friday speakers and panelists include:
• Calvin Carter, president of Bottle Rocket
• Michael Piper, president of Conley Rose
• Christina Marshall, general counsel with Chalak Mitra Group
• Scott McLain, chief investment officer for HL Investments and former president of Sonic Corporation
• Joy Schoffler, principal of Leverage PR
• David Grubbs, CEO of First Centurion Group
• John Adler, general partner with Silver Creek Ventures
• Corey Egan, CEO of ilumi
• Jan Norton with Cowtown Angels
• Vik Thapar, principal with Cypress Growth Capital.
Friday afternoon concludes with a non-confidential, quick-pitch session delivered by startup and early stage companies to a group of seasoned serial entrepreneurs.
“Entrepreneurs are major economic drivers,” said Orlando Campos, director of economic development and tourism for the town of Addison. “From creating jobs to generating local revenue and triggering community growth, the value of startups is enormous.”
Jeremy Vickers, co-founder of the Dallas Entrepreneur Center, added, “Entrepreneurs are doers, not just dreamers, and often, the positive impact that they have on individual lives and the world at large is profound.”
Registration for TREP EXPO is open. Tickets cost $25 and are available at www.trepexpo.com.
Event times and locations include:
• Thursday, May 14 (5:30-8 p.m.) – Bottle Rocket, eighth floor of 14841 Dallas Parkway in Addison
• Friday, May 15 (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) – The Addison TreeHouse, 14681 Midway Road in Addison
More information, as well as a complete schedule of events, can be found at www.trepexpo.com.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.
ABOUT HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business provides a rigorous academic experience, consisting of classroom and hands-on learning, guided by Christian commitment and a global perspective. Recognized nationally for several programs, including Entrepreneurship and Accounting, the school offers 24 undergraduate and 13 graduate areas of study. Visit www.baylor.edu/business and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/Baylor_Business.
ABOUT ADDISON
Addison is a bustling town alive with entrepreneurial spirit where small startups to major corporations and corporate regional offices are headquartered, including Mary Kay Cosmetics, United Surgical Partners, Hilton International, USAA, Zurich America, Behringer Harvard, Mohr Partners, Holt Lunsford and Bottle Rocket Apps, just to name a few. With the launch of the Addison TreeHouse incubator, Addison has become a destination for entrepreneurs to launch their businesses. The town has over 9 million square feet of quality office space throughout the community enhanced by lush landscaping, Texas’ busiest general aviation airport and world-class special events such as Fork & Cork, KaboomTown and Oktoberfest. Addison is where it all comes together.
ABOUT THE DALLAS ENTREPRENEUR CENTER
The Dallas Entrepreneur Center (DEC) serves entrepreneurs in the Dallas area, providing a location where they can receive training, education, mentorship, promotion and access to capital in order to encourage and equip the entrepreneurial community to start, build and grow their businesses. Facilitating a culture of entrepreneurship and ‘giving before you get,’ the DEC connects new and old entrepreneurs with a vibrant, collaborative environment.