2010 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) Conference

Entrepreneurship – Impact through Networks

October 21-23, 2010, on the Campus of The Pennsylvania State, University Park, PA 16802

This year’s conference is co-hosted by the Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Penn State and the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, WU Vienna. 

The theme this year is how the power of networking can be harnessed to improve education in entrepreneurship in its broadest sense. We will explore the use of personal networks, networks between center of different sizes, networks across national boundaries, and networks of common interests. We will be using social networking tools in novel ways to make the conference more than just an annual event, but an ongoing community that will sustain the excitement of the conference beyond just three days.  The conference design, therefore, is a working experiment to explore the IMPACT OF NETWORKS to the GCEC community. For example, we will:

• Ask all participants to become members of an ongoing GCEC social network.
• Have all participants, upon registering, to tag themselves with their unique and valuable experiences as well as what they want to learn from the community.
• These data will be used to enhance the social interaction at the conference and beyond as well as in the design of the program and choice of presenters and panelists.

To view a short video clip, click here

Network across Themes and Topics

We have already surveyed many of you to ensure that our program will provide the maximum benefit to you all.  You have told us that our program should be designed around five THEMES each with a number of topics.  If you would like to chair a session or be a panel member, please make your suggestion/application by clicking here.

The topics are:

THEME ONE: E-Ship Center Development. Session Topics:

1. Center funding
2. Cross-campus initiatives
3. Issues specific to large and mature centers
4. Issues specific to new and small centers
5. Using social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc) to engage entrepreneurs
6. Working with external partners (VCs, Angels, Alumni, etc.)

 

THEME 2: Student Initiatives. Session Topics

1. Business planning competitions
2. Student incubators
3. Student managed venture funds

 

THEME 3: E-ship and Technology. Session Topics

1. Technology entrepreneurship
2. Technology transfer-related programs
3. University incubators

 

THEME 4: E-ship Education. Session Topics

1. Entrepreneurship in non-business sectors (art, farming, etc.)
2. Novel curricula and program design
3. Problem-based learning
4. Social entrepreneurship programs

 

THEME 5: E-ship Impact. Session Topics

1. Outreach and media relationships
2. Promoting development of entrepreneurial culture and resources
3. Roles in local economic development

 

MISCELLANEOUS: General Theme Open for Session Proposals NOT Fitting any of the Topics

Network between Centers

Participants will come from many different types of centers. This is your opportunity to learn from:

• Major Research Universities
• Mid-size Colleges and Universities
• Small Colleges
• International Universities
• Foundations and Organizations Supporting Entrepreneurship Education

Network with Friends

You will have plenty of social time to meet old friends and make new ones at the 2010 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers Conference. Join more than 300 of your colleagues to share best practices and create new ideas. This conference is co-hosted by the Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Penn State and the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, WU Vienna.

Questions and More Information

Conference Website: gcec-2010.conferencespot.org

If you have questions about GCEC membership or registration, please contact: Maggie Ailes, GCEC Program Coordinator at mailes@bsu.edu or 765.285.9002.

If you have questions about the conference program or logistics, please contact Anna Mary Loope, at ams1@psu.edu or (1) 814-865-0195.

Additional information regarding the Shameless Self Promotion, Compendium, and Keynote Speakers will be forthcoming in the coming weeks!

The hosts of the 2010 GCEC Conference are the Farrell Center in the Smeal College of Business at Penn State and the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, WU Vienna.

The endowed Farrell Center creates and manages cross-campus educational programs including undergraduate, graduate and executive levels. The Center also sponsors faculty research in entrepreneurship and provides outreach programs to high schools, economic development agencies and companies.  The Center also houses the student managed Garber Venture Capital Fund.

The E&I Institute within the largest business school in Europe, the Vienna University of Economics and Business, manages educational programs for students at all levels, works extensively with both large and small companies in Austria and collaborates with other Austrian Universities as well as a number of economic development programs in furthering entrepreneurial activities.  The institute is also home to a number of highly regarded research faculty in the field of innovation management.  (www.wu.ac.at/entrep/en).

The GCEC is the premier global organization for university-based centers of entrepreneurship. It has become the primary vehicle by which top entrepreneurship centers work together to share information, best practices, develop programs and initiatives, and collaborate and assist each other in advancing, strengthening, and celebrating the contributions and impact of university entrepreneurship programs.  (www.nationalconsortium.org)

Contact us at ams1@psu, or (1) 814-865-4593.