Make 2012 the year you achieve your biggest branding, sales and profit goals! The fifth annual EntreFest! conference will highlight the thriving world of entrepreneurship in Iowa. For most entrepreneurs, the journey is never over as they continue to grow, overcome obstacles and set new goals and priorities. EntreFest! is a two-day conference dedicated to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs will provide attendees with all the right tools to thrive.

EntreFest! 2012 is March 8-9, 2012 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. This year's featured keynote presenter is Kelly McDonald, bestselling author of “How to Market to People Not Like You”, which was named one of the “Top 5 Best Business Books of 2011.” The featured capstone presenter is Kelly Boon, entrepreneur and owner of CHAOS [Creativity Humor And Other Stuff], Kelly provides global presentations reviving the creative spirit and giving permission to laugh out-loud! Kelly is recognized internationally as a leader in employing art and humor in everyday living.

Attendees can choose from a variety of breakout sessions this year’s lineup includes: New Technology Tools, Why Search Engine Optimization is Important, How to Keep Customers Rushing Back for More, How to Harvest Profits without Sacrificing Value and Statewide Resources to Help Your Business Succeed. Another attendee favorite is the Business Smorgasbord. The smorgasbord allows attendees the opportunity to ask questions of business experts from marketers, lawyers, accountants, and human resource managers for free!

Most of all, attendees will engage in an abundance of networking opportunities to share tips, tactics and stories with other small business owners from across the state – not to mention great food, great exhibits, and many surprises along the way!

The event is coordinated by UNI MyEntre.Net staff who, with the assistance of a collaborative group of Iowa’s premier service providers.

Dream Big Grow Here Pitch off to take place at EntreFest!  Small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs from around the state took part in multiple, regional Dream Big Grow Here contests online this past year. After nearly 100,000 visitors weighed in, seven unique winners emerged and will compete March 8th in Ames for a $10,000 grand prize! Join us as these small business owners set out to win the grand prize during Iowa’s annual EntreFest conference. Winners and Hosts include:

Winner: RealEstateFanPages.com
Matthew Smith

Host: Northeast Iowa Business Network
Winner: K&K Gardens
Keith Kovarik

Host: Mt Pleasant Area Development Commission
Winner: Zebra Media
Steve Cooperman

Host: Mt Pleasant Area Development Commission
Winner: Mogo Organic
Morgan Hoenig

Host: Iowa Lakes Corridor
Winner: Safari Child Care Center
Christine Stahly and Cassidy Hofmeyer

Host: Innovation Gateway
Winner: Go Topless Glassware
Chris Perkins

To learn more about each winner go to www.dreambiggrowhere.com


New this year's evening reception is muscial entertainment by, Locusic a local music streaming service. It's a bit like Pandora, but for local bands. You open the web app, pick a genre, and music starts to play from the local scene - wherever you happen to be. It detects your location and plays music from bands based within 50 miles of you (or your home location if you prefer). Locusic is currently live in our first test market - central Iowa (a 50 mile radius around Des Moines) and has plans to expand nationwide. Locusic is a great way for bands to find new fans - specifically fans that are local to the band and can come to their shows. Locusic is free for listeners and bands. It's supported by ads from local businesses.