New End 2005:
Northeast Wisconsin Entrepreneur Networking Day
The Spring of 2005 brought a New Beginning to Northeast Wisconsin. The first NEW END Regional Event launched at the Bridgewood Conference Center in Neenah.
It's no surprise that this innovative idea was inspired by an entrepreneur who wanted to start not one, but two businesses. The entrepreneur enrolled in the E-Seed Series offered by Fox Valley Technical College and UW-Oshkosh SBDC and began involvement in entrepreneurial activities in Northeast Wisconsin. The idea for NEW END grew out of a desire to bring speakers and information to our area that focused on the unique needs of entrepreneurs. With collaboration from Fox Valley Technical College and the help of sponsors and volunteers, NEW END became a reality.
Liz Ryan, CEO and founder of WorldWIT, was the featured speaker for the
afternoon. Liz shared her experiences launching a world e-mail networking
organization where women could share information and advice and get recommendations
that would help them reach their career and personal goals. There are now
35,000 members (female and male) in 25 countries around the globe. Within
a few weeks of this event, our own regional FoxWIT Chapter was formed.
Taking a cue from Ms. Ryan, the event also featured a choice of two unique networking workshops facilitated by experts to encourage and teach entrepreneurs to network and make those connections that could produce success. Attendees learned that networking transforms independent entrepreneurs into an interdependent community bonded by knowledge, commitment, and respect. Each person left the event with at least three names of people to contact and share ideas with.
The NEW END event is unique. It
is not an organization, business expo, class, or seminar. It is an EVENT planned by entrepreneurs FOR the benefit
of innovators and entrepreneurs. It is dedicated to reaching across traditional
boundaries to unite innovators and entrepreneurs, spark connections, and
foster new business development in Northeast Wisconsin.
The 2005 event was limited to 250 innovators and entrepreneurs, purposely relying primarily on raw networking and personal invitation as promotion for the event. The goal of the event was to link regional entrepreneurs and foster business innovation by sharing ideas on entrepreneurism through networking. Entrepreneurs have special needs to connect with each other and expeditiously gain the resources they need to succeed.
Survey results from NEW END 2005 showed the majority of respondents were
in the 40-49 age group with the next largest group age 50-59. Forty-four
out of 56 respondents described themselves as entrepreneurs. The majority
of respondents expressed interest in attending future NEW END events and
indicated they had expanded their network by at least 3 people while improving
their networking skills.
NEW END 2005 was a resounding success and proved that the burning desire to own your own business, be the master of your own destiny, and bring innovative products and services to the marketplace is alive and well in Northeast Wisconsin. The economic vitality of our region depends on the support, development, and growth of these new businesses.
TESTIMONIALS:
"I will attend next
year and am already planning to bring a friend with me. I think this was a wonderful way to network and become comfortable with
how to present your business idea."
"The event brought out many people who were not aware that concerted efforts are being made to encourage entrepreneurship."
"It was well worth-while, as I made new contacts and did obtain new information."
Photography courtesy of Vanishing Point Productions, LLC.
