Calling all aspiring entrepreneurs! Get ready to embark on an extraordinary journey at the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s 41th annual Global Conference & Pitch Competition in sunny Tampa, Florida. Join us from Thursday, October 31 to Saturday, November 2, 2024, for an unforgettable weekend filled with inspiration, innovation, and endless opportunities.
During this action-packed event, you’ll be surrounded by a vibrant community of like-minded individuals, including CEO members, partners, investors, and seasoned business mentors. Together, we’ll dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship and explore the exciting process of transforming your academic knowledge into real-world success stories. Prepare to showcase your entrepreneurial prowess and compete for a chance to win a share of the $20,000 prize pool in our highly anticipated pitch competition. If gaming is your passion, gear up for the thrilling Venture Valley E-Sports Tournament, where you’ll have the opportunity to claim a grand prize.
More information about the conference can be found here: https://www.c-e-o.org/events/global. DO NOT REGISTER for conference on the CEO site, we will register as a group.
If you are a college student, with the next BIG idea, or a successful startup, you qualify to compete in the largest and longest running business pitch competition, offering $20,000 in new venture prizes! Deadline to Apply: Friday, October 4, 2024 – Apply: www.c-e-o.org/globalpitch
The following information is meant to provide answers to your questions and to help you decide on attending.
A formal commitment (with non-refundable $150 deposit) is required by September 27.
Remaining balance is due by October 15.
TRIP INCLUSIONS: The per person conference cost (detailed on next page) will include:
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES (own expenses, not included as part of trip):
ACTUAL TRIP COST: over $1,400 per person
E’ Club Members’ Cost: $300.00* per person (includes the $150 deposit)
* Thanks to a generous donor to ISU’s Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, the Center is funding a major portion of the trip. To help lower your out-of-pocket expenses for some of the on-own meals, Entrepreneur Club (members/trip attendees), may need to fundraise. Additionally, the club leaders will request funding from Ivy Student Council, SVPP Office and ISU Foundation. You are welcome to reach beyond Ames for individual fundraising to help reduce your individual costs. If your individual donor writes a check to ISU Entrepreneur Club, the funds will be applied directly towards your individual trip cost, reducing your final payment amount (if check is received prior to October 15). To help offset your individual trip costs, you are encouraged to reach out beyond Ames to friends, family and your local hometown businesses for support. A request letter will be provided that you can use when soliciting funds. Any funds received in this manner will apply directly to your individual trip costs, reducing your final payment amount (if cash/check is received prior to October 15).
TRAVE AND ACCOMMODATIONS
We will be traveling together, departing ISU on Thursday, October 31 and returning on Sunday, November 3. Air travel has not been secured yet. We need to arrive at conference hotel by noon on 10/31, so an early flight may require us to depart ISU as early as 5am. Our return flight and drive from airport could have us returning to ISU near midnight on 11/3.
Hotel reservations will be made at the Hilton Tampa Downtown, same hotel as the conference. Students will be sharing rooms, having two to four students per room.
MISSING CLASSES
You will miss classes on Thursday and Friday. It is your responsibility to inform your instructors of your absence for this university-sponsored trip. We will email you a conference form-letter you can use to request instructor’s cooperation in allowing you to make up homework or exams before or after the trip. Additionally, Jean Walsh, the club’s advisor, is happy to contact any of your instructors to validate the trip. Please contact Jean prior to October 24.
INSURANCE AND WAIVERS
Once you have confirmed your registration, you will receive an invitation by email from ISU Risk Management to complete an insurance waiver. Please respond to this request at your earliest convenience. Our trip will not be approved until all travelers have submitted their information. Thanks!
HOW TO CONFIRM YOUR CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION:
Any questions? Contact Zackry Brannen at zbrannen@IASTATE.EDU
