Recognizing the leading entrepreneur of his time, Leonardo Da Vinci, the Business and Commerce department at Genesee Community College will host its sixth Creativity Conference on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Batavia Campus. The lineup of speakers will serve both aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners looking to take their business to the next level.
Conference attendees should check in at 8:15 a.m. for a continental breakfast and the conference will begin at 8:45 a.m. with a welcome from Provost Kate Schiefen, Ed.D.. Keynote speaker, Trace R. George, GCC class of 1993 and owner of VSP Graphic Group in Buffalo will begin at 9 a.m. sharing his inspiring story.
From 10:30 a.m. to 11a.m. GCC students will host a poster presentation highlighting various creativity-specific concepts and creative thinking tools designed to help participants learn to leverage their own creativity.
Beginning at 11:10 a.m. attendees will select two of the following 10 sessions to attend. Each workshop will be offered at 11:10 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.
- Bryan DeGraw, owner of 810 Meadworks
- Brian Kemp, owner of T-Shirts, Etc.
- Michael Messerly, publisher at Batavia News Corporation
- Val Bello, GCC instructor of Communications and Media Arts and social media guru
- Sam Campanella, serial entrepreneur and retired Small Business Development Center Representative
- Karen Crittenden, artist and owner at Karen's Yarn, Paper, Scissors
- Heather Jones, GCC professor of Fine Arts, artist and owner at Glassfeather Studio
- Barb Shine, serial entrepreneur, consultant and retired GCC faculty
- Mike Raisch, owner of Dark Labyrinth Entertainment
These presenters will cover an array of helpful business building topics ranging from important lessons learned during their own climbs to success, to "Leveraging Social Media to Grow your Business," "Options Thinking to Increase Organizational Creativity," "Using Creativity to Build and Grow a Business" and "Personal/ Organizational Vision Board for Future Growth."
At 1:10 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. Winners of the Poster Presentation will be announced during lunch.
Small business owners or employees, entrepreneurs and the general public are invited to attend the conference and workshops. The cost is $39 per person, which includes a continental breakfast and delicious lunch. Seating is limited, so register today with The BEST Center! For GCC students, faculty and staff, the conference cost is $25 per person. GCC students, faculty and staff are encouraged to register with the Math, Science and Career Education (MSCE) office.
Click here for details on the associate degree and certificate programs available at Genesee Community College.
The entire conference is made possible through GCC's collaboration with Startup Genesee Committee to provide an agenda full of learning and networking opportunities, inspirational stories and education.
For more information, contact Director of Business Programs Lina LaMattina, Ph.D., at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6319, or via email: lmlamattina@genesee.edu.
