The 2006 National CEO Convention - A Major Success!
TCU CEO represented the largest contingent of collegiate entrepreneurs in the United States at the 2006 National Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization Conference held in Chicago. This annual event represents an integral component of the "experiental learning" that is central to TCU's Neeley Entrepreneurship Program. Thanks to donors, including a gift from Texas entrepreneur Jack Graves, TCU students were exposed to numerous entrepreneurs and teaching sessions during the three day event.
At the 2006 CEO conference, TCU also represented the largest number of competitive entries for the National Elevator Pitch Competition. The compeition is a grueling series of business pitches given before large audiences of students and a panel of judges. TCU students earned 4 of the top 10 honors in the United States as finalists. Special congratulations go to TCU entrepreneurs Adam Blake, John Parker, Jacob Watson and Justin Anderson (pictured above) for their hard work and success.
The National CEO Conference teamed TCU students with well known entrepreneurs across the American business landscape including Chicago restauranteur Larry Levy (pictured above with the 2006 TCU CEO President, Jake Mattison).
Special thanks to Neeley Entrepreneurship Program Director and our Faculty Advisor, David Minor who led and chaperoned more than 60 students as we learned and competed in the three day event.
Fun was had by all in Chicago. In addition, students such as TCU's Justin Anderson were able to market their products to students across the nation (Justin Anderson shares his granola product "Anderson Trail Granola" with students above).
The National Conference hosts multiple networking dinners in the Grand Ballroom of the Chicago McCormick Place Hyatt. Dinners include keynote speaches from nationally recognized entrepreneurs that preach the importance of "hands-on learning" outside of the traditional classroom experience.
The TCU CEO student run program encourages students from all walks of campus life to pursue their interest in entrepreneurship through the organization. Active members are treated to an opportunity to join their peers at the annual national conference. TCU CEO includes students from virtually every academic discipline offered at the TCU campus.
Traveling together allows strong friendships to be developed between individuals in our diverse organization that otherwise may not be developed.
We believe in quality over quantity, but at TCU, we are lucky to have both. As you can see, our Horned Frogs represented TCU's award winning entrepreneurship program with pride.
TCU CEO intends to increase the 2007 national conference attendance to 100 students.
Go Frogs Go!
TCU CEO members were granted a private meeting with U-Bid.com founder Greg Jones (pictured center) who sold his company for more than $400 million in 2000. He is now the COO for Edgewater Funds.
Genevieve Theirs, founder and CEO of SitterCity.com addressed students in one of numerous keynote addresses.
TCU's top four competitiors in the National Elevator Pitch Competition grabbed four of the top ten spots in the country. Pictured with David Minor, their faculty advisor and the Director of TCU's Neeley Entrepreneurship Program, the students pose with their awards.
TCU's Adam Blake has won numerous entrepreneurship awards for TCU during his years as a Horned Frog, including Global Student Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005. This year, he led the Horned Frogs to their top prize in the National Elevator Pitch Competition.
TCU's John Parker was also a finalist at the National Elevator Pitch Competition in Chicago. Parker was given high marks for his exceptional presentation and public speaking skills that rose above other students across the nation competing for the top prize.
Frogs do not collapse under pressure! Here, TCU's Jacob Watson successfully makes it to the finals of the National Elevator Pitch Competition. Watson competed in front of an audience of more than 1,000 students, entrepreneurs and educators in the grand ballroom of the Chicago Hyatt.
