The NY Times Small Business Summit, held on September 24th, just marked its 5th year. With American Express OPEN as the founding sponsor once again, it was a grand success! Held at the famous Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, it was centrally located for both local businesses and for out of town business owners.
From the breakfast to the breakouts. From the Logistics Lounge to the Lufthansa Lounge, the NY Times Small Business Summit had it all covered.
Whether you were a small business owner or someone seeking to start a small business, you could find the information you needed. It was motivational and factual. Creative and driven.
The speakers and moderators came from all types and levels of business. From The NY Times President, Scott Heekin-Canedy's opening remarks to Zip Car Founder and CEO, Robin Chase's closing keynote session to all of the sessions and networking events inbetween it was a not to be missed event. However, if you did miss it, there is always next year!
If however, you are prime to start or grow your business NOW, I will offer links at the end of this article, where you can talk ONLINE with the exhibitors and speakers. In forums such as Facebook and Twitter. In fact, therer was a panelist who said he "tweets" on average, about 20-40 times a day. Many in the audience chuckled at the inferred "double entendre!"
The attendees, event planners and panelists were all very helpful to one another and extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The entire day, from what I could gather, went as smoothly as a large annual event such as this can go.
The Hilton prepared hundreds of box lunches, but these were not your old boxed lunches from school days. They were eco-packed with gourmet sandwiches, pasta, fruit, chips and a drink. Seems like everyone is going green!
Even for the "grown-up" attendees, many said the highlight of their summit day was receiving free Ben and Jerry's ice cream after lunch. If you are wondering why they gave everyone B&J's it was following the luncheon's keynote speaker, Jerry Greenfield himself! Co-founder and co-owner of the now infamous Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Business, Jerry spoke about how he and his lifelong friend Ben, got started. Their trials and NOT so "creamy, smooth" travails on their road to ultimate success. They really had no idea what would come out of their extremely hard work and dedication as well as ongoing charity donations. But as Jerry himself said, you get more when you give more. Business is not only about making money it is about using those profits and the developed brand, to help others who are less fortunate. It is a positive feedback loop when you purchase products from local, fair trade farmers and give a certain amount of profit back to social causes that help people help themselves and possibly become business owners in their own right.
He spoke in a humble and humorous manner and kept the packed grand ballroom engaged.
Many diverse businesses were represented in the lounge areas.
Businesses such as UPS, The Network Journal, Met Life, National Association of Women Business Owners and even MSNBC was on hand to offer live interviews to businesses. People discussed how they grew their businesses and why they were in attendance at the day's summit.
I told MSNBC that I did not have a business and when asked in return "then why was I there?," I simply said "MY business is to write about and help OTHER businesses grow."
The mid-day speed networking session and closing cocktail reception truly allowed attendees to interact with one another and learn from each other's goals, ideas and concerns.
Well presented and well rounded, The NY Times Small Business Summit was once again a success.
For more information on the event and to connect with attendees and panelists, please visit them on Facebook Groups- "Small Business" or American Express Open" or on their main website- www.nytsmallbusinessummit.com
Thank you!
Ellie
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