Creativity in the Entrepreneurial Zone Conference at GCC

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

BATAVIA, NY (02/21/2018) What: Creativity in the Entrepreneurial Zone Conference at GCC

When: Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: Genesee Community College ~ Batavia Campus ~ Conable Technology Building

Who: Entrepreneurs, creative thinkers and all are welcome!

Background: Do you have a hobby or passion? Ever consider turning it into your own business? Then you won't want to miss this conference! Genesee Community College will host the fifth annual Creativity Conference: Creativity in the Entrepreneurial Zone on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at the Batavia Campus.

The Creativity Conference will open for participants to check in at 8:15 a.m. in the Conable Technology Building lobby. The conference cost is $49 per person. For GCC students, faculty or staff, the conference cost is $25 per person. Registration includes a continental breakfast and delicious lunch. Seating is limited, so register today at www.genesee.edu/best under "View our classes now!"

At 9 a.m. conference attendees will be welcomed by GCC's Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Kathleen Schiefen. Then, the conference will feature keynote speaker, Erica Swiatek. She will address the link between creativity and entrepreneurship as she has demonstrated in her own business, 3600 Escape - a Buffalo based company that hosts escape room experiences.

From 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Swiatek will host a special escape room experience right here at GCC! Participants will work in small groups to look for clues, propose hypothesis and race against other teams to solve the problem first. Anyone registered for the conference can sign up for this special breakout session which costs an additional $15 per person and is limited to 30 participants, so sign up quick!

For those not attending Swiatek's escape room experience, there will be nine unique and inspiring breakout sessions featuring entrepreneurial leaders from our region to share stories of their own startups, answer audience questions, and inspire the next generation of great new ideas. Conference participants will be able to select three of these sessions to attend. Each session will be offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 noon.

Among the breakout sessions will be:

  • Rashaad Santiago, special effect/ make-up artist, Face Off-Season 6 Winner (2014)
  • Sue Fuller, owner of Della's Chocolates in Medina
  • Trace George, President/ CEO of VSP Graphic Group in Buffalo, (the official graphic company for the Buffalo Bills) and GCC Alum
  • Shawn Ramsey, owner of Canalside Tattoos in Medina
  • Maureen Spindler, owner of The Village Photographer in Hilton and GCC's own visual communications specialist/photographer
  • Deb Altrieth, owner of Deb's Bakery in Batavia
  • Rhonda Parker, Writer/ Director and founder of Beaver Alley Studios, Inc.
  • Leslie Zink Ward & Geoff Dale, owners of Lovin Cup & Three Heads

Additional sessions will be available and session schedules are subject to change.

At 12:45 p.m. everyone will come together for a sit-down lunch, provided by American Creative Dining served in the centrally located William H. Stuart Forum.

After lunch, the team from Startup Genesee will conduct a powerful wrap-up session for all conference attendees with give-aways and a very exciting announcement sure to help take entrepreneurial ideas to the next level!

The Creativity in the Entrepreneurial Zone conference, presented by GCC has been made possible through partnership with the Startup Genesee Committee and the Ain Center at the University of Rochester's ongoing support for the "Year of Entrepreneurship" series.

Behind every great business is a great idea! Let GCC be a resource for your idea and your path to success! GCC offers both an Associate Degree and a Certificate program on Entrepreneurship. Check out the options at https://www.genesee.edu/academics/programs/business/entrepreneurship/.

For more information, contact Director of Business Programs Lina LaMattina at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6319, or via email: lmlamattina@genesee.edu.

Additional Details can be found through the following links:

https://www.genesee.edu/home/events/creativity-conference/

http://news.genesee.edu/news/2018/02/08/gcc-s-creativity-entrepreneurial-zone-conference-inspires-pursuit-one-s-passion

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