Carole Moore McLeod Entrepreneur Summit
On Friday, November 15, 2019, the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship hosted the 16th annual Carole Moore McLeod Entrepreneur Summit at Appalachian State University.
Diana Kander, serial entrepreneur, innovation coach for Fortune 1000 companies, and author of the New York Times bestseller, “All in Startup,” delivered this year's keynote speech. Kander's book has been used in more than 70 colleges and universities to teach innovation and entrepreneurship. Her most recent book, “The Curiosity Muscle,” was published in July 2018.
The Entrepreneur Summit was an all-day event, jam-packed with entrepreneurial insight, networking, and inspiration from top entrepreneurial minds. The finale of the day was the Big Idea Pitch! The entire event was free of charge and open to students of all majors, faculty, staff, and community members. Keep checking back for next year's Summit's Save-the-Date.
Agenda Overview
MORNING SESSION (Grandfather Mountain Ballroom, Plemmons Student Union)
9:00 a.m. Check-in, refreshments and networking
9:30 a.m. Opening Remarks and Welcome
10:00 a.m. Morning Speaker, Teresa Spangler, Founder and CEO of PlazaBridge Group
11:00 a.m. Keynote Address, Diana Kander, NY Times Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker & Innovation Consultant
LUNCH SESSION (420 Parkway Ballroom, Plemmons Student Union)
12:30 p.m. Luncheon Speaker, Cheryl Cutlip, Founding Director of The Project Dance Foundation
ENTREPRENEURSHIP EXPO (118 Solarium, Plemmons Student Union)
2 to 3:30 p.m. Entrepreneurship Expo - Network with professionals, specialists, mentors, as well as students and faculty. The Solarium will be filled to the brim with people who can deliver the resources that entrepreneurs need to get started and keep moving.
BIG IDEA PITCH (420 Parkway Ballroom, Plemmons Student Union)
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Big Idea Pitch - Come hear 10 amazing student pitches, enjoy some free local craft beer (for the 21+ crowd), and vote for your favorite idea!
Session Details
MORNING SPEAKER
All That I Am, Now That I Know!
The best teachers in the world share what they have learned so you can stand on their shoulders and reach still higher. Teresa Spangler is a self-proclaimed "challenge junkie" and has been breaking down barriers and smashing glass ceilings her whole life. Join Teresa as she reflects on those moments in her life and shares what she has learned along the way. Teresa will share her 17 life lessons on dreaming, determination and resilience. Arrive early and pick up your copy of her new book All That I Am, Now That I Know!
DIGITAL MARKETING
Jessica Stansberry
Jessica Stansberry; The Grit Podcast
Digital Marketing Strategist
Tyler R. MoffattMENTORS
Many of our Entrepreneurship Mentors will be participating in the EXPO! Read more about them!
Heather Bryant & Kris Gupton...
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Why Curiosity is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage
Diana Kander explains exactly why most companies reaching the peak of their potential lose their curiosity and crash into irrelevance. From how we develop blind spots about our business, to the pitfalls of feeling like an expert, this thought-provoking, engaging program reveals the smokescreens obscuring imminent threats to long-term viability and walks you through specific ways to boost innovation, uncover customer needs, solve problems, create new value for customers, and increase employee engagement. Most importantly, Diana demonstrates why curiosity is your greatest asset to drive constant innovation and help your company thrive and become competitive on more than price alone — ultimately, future-proofing your business.
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April Lambert 
Jesse Pipes
Crystal Kelly
Boomer Sassman...
LUNCHEON SPEAKER
Do What You Love, and It Won't Feel Like Work
Cheryl Cutlip is the founding director of The Project Dance Foundation, formed as a mission to bring hope and healing to the world through the universal language of dance. Cheryl has organized dance events in over 25 cities around the globe and performed with the Rockettes for 15 years at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Cheryl believes that finding what you are meant to do is key to a happy life. Dance reminds us of design and order, purpose and inner strength. She has made a difference in the world by investing in people and using her life experience to teach persistence, dedication, and confidence. And remember that you’re never too old to DANCE!
Brennen Smith
Robert Stec
Tim Herdklotz
Lawson Campe
Bryan Dennstedt