Agenda Details Available Now!

Carolina Connect 2008: It’s all about successful connections.
When Larry Page and Sergey Brin created Google they had a great idea, but successful implementation required connecting with investors and partners. That’s why Carolina Connect continues to be about “Successful Connections” and we are proud to be able to announce this year’s Carolina Connect will take place once again at The Grove Park Inn in Asheville on September 11, 2008.

It is this dedication to entrepreneurship that continues to serve as a catalyst for Carolina Connect, a conference which provides professional development and first-class networking to entrepreneurs and investors from across the Southeast.

A dynamic beginning: Ryan Allis, author of “Zero to One Million.”

Kicking off the conference will be Ryan Allis, CEO of iContact, and the leading provider of email marketing tools for small businesses. Ryan has built Durham based iContact from its start in 2003 to more than 100 employees, 25,000 customers and $15 million in annual sales. In 2005, Ryan was named by BusinessWeek as one of the Top 25 Entrepreneurs under Age 25. He is the author of the book, “Zero to One Million.”

In addition to telling his remarkable story, Ryan will help with the Western North Carolina launch of Creative Juice, a collegiate competition that combines entrepreneurism and environmental responsibility. The 10-day contest challenges teams to create value out of a throwaway item, which Ryan will help reveal at the conference. Grand prize for the national competition is a trip to Google headquarters in California. (More information about the competition at www.CreativeJuiceCompetition.com)

Secrets of success: How to make your good idea a great one.

Every successful business started around an idea. What differentiates a good idea from a great idea? Building on the electricity created by Guy Kawasaki, last year’s keynote and upon his recommendation, we’re excited to present New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author, Dan Heath, as our lunchtime keynote speaker.

Dan will discuss his latest book, “Made to Stick” that he co-authored with his brother, Chip, and describe the traits that link “sticky” ideas of all kinds from urban legends to corporate mission statements to successful advertisements. Dan has taught and consulted on the topic of “making ideas stick” with organizations that include Nissan, Microsoft, Home Depot, Fannie Mae and West Point. He is a consultant with Duke Corporate Education in Durham.

Three educational tracks with a total of nine informative sessions.

Practical and educational information for fostering the growth of businesses of all sizes and stages will be the focus of three educational tracks at Carolina Connect 2008:

Track 1: “Startup Survival,” aimed at budding entrepreneurs and covering business planning, marketing and selling your product or service, and the rules and sources for critical early stage financing.

Track 2: “High-Growth Gear,” for the high-growth entrepreneur, addressing sales, marketing, management and capital needs.

“Track 3: Fund Me,” covering financing options and how to generate the cash needed to grow a business.

Special seminar just for investors: The Kauffman Foundation’s “Power of Angel Investing.”

An exciting new addition to this year’s conference is a break-out track for angel investors only. We are pleased to be partnering with the Kauffman Foundation to present “Power of Angel Investing,” providing an overview of the angel investing process, including details on finding, evaluating and structuring deals, and developing successful angel-entrepreneur relationships. Leading the seminar is John May, co-author of “Every Business Needs an Angel,” and founder and managing partner of New Vantage Group, a Virginia firm that creates innovative channels to direct private equity into early-stage companies.

The Critical Conversation Networking Café: Chat with industry experts in an informal setting.

Another exciting new feature this year is the Critical Conversation Networking Café, an informal series of discussions with industry experts on critical topics facing today’s entrepreneurs and business owners. Topics include Startup Management, Social Marketing, Website Optimization, Media Relations, Dealing with Catastrophes, and Valuation Methods. These discussions are intended to be casual and flexible to allow for maximum exposure to a variety of topics in a conversational format.

End the day making connections at the closing reception.

At the end of the conference, our closing reception on the Vanderbilt Terrace is a great way to continue to network and make connections.

Register today!

Registration is $50 and covers the cost of breakfast, lunch, post-conference reception and access to all educational tracks and sessions – plus a free copy of “Made to Stick,” which normally sells for $26. Register online at www.brecnc.com For more information, please call Pam Lewis at 828-273-8295 or plewis@awnc.org.

Morning Keynote: Ryan P. Allis, CEO & Founder iContact

Luncheon Keynote: Dan Heath, Co-Author  “Made To Stick"