As a group of serial entrepreneurs, we tend to come up with some pretty crazy ideas. Some are thought-provoking, some are disruptive, and others are just crazy enough that they might actually work.
Three years ago, one of those ideas came to mind. But this time, the idea felt a little different.
What if we could help create more jobs in the community? Could we foster a more positive approach to business and a brighter outlook on life? Could we make a difference as entrepreneurs working together to have more productive, collaborative business relationships while still providing for our families?
This is how Think Big Kansas City was born.
In March of 2010, we hosted the very first Think Big Kansas City with over 400 attendees, 34 dynamite guest speakers and one keynote speech from Chris Gardner (the true story behind "The Pursuit of Happyness") that changed the lives of many entrepreneurs, investors and startup companies in the Midwest.
Think Big Kansas City 2010 brought entrepreneurs, investors, startups, leaders, visionaries and American Dreamers under one roof for a day jam-packed full of inspiration and entrepreneurial education. By providing many of the educational sessions that are the exact courses we wish we would have taken years ago, we hope to provide big thinkers with more ammunition to fuel their American Dreams in 2011.
Think Big Kansas City 2010 was so successful that we knew it had to be done again. So, we developed Think Big Kansas City 2011, and it's even bigger than before.
How will TBKC 2011 be bigger? How about our partnership with the Kansas City Business Journal? Or our impressive list of speakers and presenters? Don't forget about this year's keynote speaker Bill Rancic, original winner of the NBC reality show The Apprentice with Donald Trump. Not to mention, our incredible networking event, exhibitors expo, and Shark Tank: Kansas City Style, TBKC's newest addition to the program. Additionally, the Premier Conference for Entrepreneurs, Investors and Startups is making its way across the nation, starting with Think Big Baltimore in July 2011.
Last year, we had another idea. In conjunction with our nationwide Think Big conference, we wanted to start up an innovation and entrepreneur collaboration center modeled after several successful groups across North America. Well guess what? We've done it. We created Think Big Partners—a startup accelerator and business incubator located at bizperc—a co-working space run by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.. We have provided an ongoing destination in Kansas City that can help to build, launch and grow entrepreneurial ventures of all sizes. It's just another idea that we went after—all in the name of growing entrepreneurship and the startup community in Kansas City and beyond.
We hope you enjoy Think Big Kansas City 2011. Can't wait to see you there.
-- Think Big Partners
