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2008 Nebraska Summit on Entrepreneurship

University of Nebraska hosts second annual Nebraska Summit on Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurial capitalism has become central to the nation's economy, Carl Schramm told the 300 participants at the second annual Nebraska Summit on Entrepreneurship held in Omaha late in February. The Summit—co-sponsored by the University of Nebraska, the Gallup Organization and the Nebraska Business-Higher Education Forum—brought together a diverse group of educators, business leaders, government officials, entrepreneurs and small business owners from across the state.

University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken kicked off the Summit: "I continue to believe the key to economic success in Nebraska depends largely on capitalizing on our entrepreneurial spirit, and the capacity to turn that into successful businesses. The diversity of interests represented at this year's Summit is indicative of the changing scope and dynamics of entrepreneurship today."

Schramm, the keynote speaker, noted the changing nature of the economy and the ever increasing velocity of the way people change jobs: "Today's economists do not understand the huge dynamism in our economy today, and the marvelous dimension of entrepreneurs in this new economy."

Schramm is recognized as one of the world's entrepreneurship experts, wrote The Entrepreneurial Imperative, and serves as president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the largest foundation in the world which focuses on entrepreneurship..

He said that Nebraska communities need to create environments for smart, entrepreneurial people to thrive. "You have plenty of smart, creative people here right now. You need to work on creating a culture for them to flourish. They live here. And you are awash in people who want to be mentors. You can do it."

The summit was audio and video recorded and can be accessed at the links below. Attendant materials are also linked.

Welcome
video
  • Pete Kotsiopulos, vice president for external affairs, University of Nebraska
  • J. B. Milliken, president, University of Nebraska
Remarks by Mary Ann O'Brien, president and chief executive officer, O'Brien Industries, Inc.
video | powerpoint

Gallup Entrepreneurship Survey update
video | powerpoint
  • Eric Thompson ~ associate professor of economics and director of the Bureau of Business Research, UNL
  • Bill Walstad ~ John T. and Mable M. Hay professor of economics, UNL
  • Jim Krieger ~ vice chairman and chief financial officer, The Gallup Organization
The Entrepreneurial Imperative
video
  • Carl Schramm ~ president and chief executive officer, The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Entrepreneurial Stories: Lessons Learned, Part 1
video
  • Andy Anderson ~ Scoopeez Brands, LLC
  • Abe Oommen ~ GeneSeek
  • Carly Cummings ~ Hyp-Yoga Franchises
  • Moderator: Joe Knecht ~ 12rd and Vipa Solutions
Entrepreneurial Stories: Lessons Learned, Part 2
video
  • Paul Hogan ~ Home Instead Senior Care
  • Stephanie Healy ~ Vente
  • Tom Rogers ~ Odin Capital
  • Paul Eurek ~ Xpanxion
  • Moderator: Bill Champion ~ Orthopaedic Marketing
Closing Remarks
video
  • Pete Kotsiopulos, vice president for university affairs, University of Nebraska
Entrepreneurial Developments in 2007, Part 1
video unavailable due to technical difficulties
  • Ben Harris ~Hormel Family Foundation
  • Joe Rahal ~ Midlands Venture Forum
  • Patricia Fairchild ~ 4-H Youth Development
  • Tim Mittan ~ Southeast Community College
  • Marilyn Schlake ~ Nebraska E.D.G.E.
  • Moderator: Wendy Boyer ~ Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
Entrepreneurial Developments in 2007, Part 2
video unavailable due to technical difficulties
  • Connie Reimers-Hild ~ I2E
  • Frank Hilsabeck ~ Nebraska Angels
  • Trudy Hines ~ Lincoln Public Schools Entrepreneurship Program
  • Anne York ~ Creighton University
  • Deb Murray ~ University of Nebraska at Kearney
  • Kirsten Case-Penrod ~ Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
  • Moderator: Gregg Christensen ~ Nebraska Department of Education
Closing Remarks
video unavailable due to technical difficulties
  • Jim Krieger, vice chairman and chief financial officer, The Gallup Organization

2006 Inaugural Summit on Entrepreneurship

panel speaker

audience photo

More than 200 educators, business leaders, government officials, and entrepreneurs from across the State of Nebraska gathered at the Strategic Air and Space Museum on November 30 to hear the results of a survey by The Gallup Organization, commissioned by Jim Krieger. Krieger worked with Bill Walstad, the John T. and Mable M. Hay professor of economics and Eric Thompson, the director of the Bureau of Business Research and associate professor of economics to design the survey and Walstad and Thompson are producing a book about the climate for entrepreneurship in Nebraska.

"Nebraska is one of many states and regions that are pursuing the same vision: a more diversified economic base, growth in existing businesses, and attracting new entities. The intent is to create new jobs in order to retain and attract talent and encourage more wealth creation. I am convinced that one important way to advance these objectives is to increase partnerships among business, education and government. That's what this summit is about. It brings together Nebraska leaders from the public and private sectors to consider strategies for the future." J.B. Milliken

The summit was audio and video recorded and can be accessed at the links below. Attendant materials are also linked.

Welcome
audio | video
  • Pete Kotsiopulos, vice president for external affairs, University of Nebraska
  • J. B. Milliken, president, University of Nebraska
Nebraska Entrepreneurial Success Stories
audio | video
  • Michael Chipps ~ president, Mid-Plains Community College ~ facilitator
  • Bradley Walker ~ president, Nanonation, Inc.
  • Sue Weidner ~ managing partner, Leopard Productions
  • Dennis Walker ~ CEO, Jet Linx Aviation
  • Dan Shundoff ~ president, IntelliCom Consulting, Inc
The Entrepreneurial Climate in Nebraska: Results of the Gallup Survey
audio | video
  • Glenn Phelps ~ associate partner, The Gallup Organization
  • Eric Thompson ~ associate professor of economics and director of the Bureau of Business Research, UNL
  • Bill Walstad ~ John T. and Mable M. Hay professor of economics, UNL
Overview of Entrepreneurship Resources and Activities in Nebraska
audio | video
  • Glenn Friendt ~ director, Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship
Remarks by Governor Dave Heineman
audio | video

Keynote Speech by Lesa Mitchell ~vice president, The Kauffman Foundation
audio | video
  • Introduction by Deb Bass, president, Bass Associates and Chair, Entrepreneurship Target Advisory Group of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
Session Reports: Issues and Opportunities
audio | video
  • Jim Krieger ~vice chairman and chief financial officer, The Gallup Organization
Closing Remarks
  • Pete Kotsiopulos
PowerPoint Presentations Book Chapter Other Materials
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