How To Make It In America
Economic Empowerment Conference
Insight | Access | Success
#HowToMakeItPHL
Friday, October 14, 2016
9:00 aM – 4:00 pM | Registration begins at 8:30 aM
Community College of Philadelphia, Bonnell Auditorium
1700 Spring Garden Street
The How to Make It In America Economic Empowerment Conference is an exciting opportunity for people from all walks of life to hear from and interact with entrepreneurs who are successfully traversing the road to economic prosperity.
The event will feature dynamic forums moderated by Philadelphia City Council members and comprised of the city’s top entrepreneurs, business services professionals, and government officials. Audience members will also engage in question and answer sessions allowing them to get first-hand accounts of the real life experiences of some of the city’s most successful business owners. Conference attendees will benefit from this unique access to the people and entities that establish, finance, and develop entrepreneurial endeavors, as well as from those who ultimately provide profitable opportunities.
The How to Make It In America Economic Empowerment Conference will be a valuable experience for anyone seeking information, insight, and inspiration on the road to realizing their entrepreneurial dreams.
Panel I: Getting Your Dream Started
9:00am – 10:30am
This panel will inform attendees about what it takes to establish a business and secure the financing necessary to launch an endeavor. It will also provide information on the various nonprofits and programs that exist to further aid them in the journey.
Panelists:
- Bernard Finkel, Chief of Food Protection, City of Philadelphia Department of Health
- Della Clark, President, The Enterprise Center
- David Perri, Commissioner, City of Philadelphia Licenses and Inspections
- Ellen Weber, Exec. Dir. Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute, Temple University Fox School of Business
- Curtis Gregory, Director of Business Development, City of Philadelphia
- Rolando Sanchez, Kensington and Allegheny Business Association
- James P. Cohill, Jr., VP – Business Banking Market Manager, Citizens Bank Metro Philadelphia
- Kysha Woods, CEO, Keitt Media Agency
Panel II: Going After Business – Promotion and Procurement
10:45am – 12:15pm
This panel will discuss how to effectively procure business by promoting a brand in all forms of media. It will also feature procurement officers from both the private and public sectors who will educate attendees on what it takes to sell goods and services to these entities.
Panelists:
- Trevor Day, Procurement Commissioner, City of Philadelphia
- Joni Rittler, VP Supply Chain, Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia
- Ajamu Johnson, Executive Dir. of Supplier Diversity and Strategic Procurement, Comcast/NBCUniversal
- Alvin Cooley, Sr. Director of Purchasing, Temple University
- Craig Williams, CEO, Pride Enterprises
- Pam Henshall, President, Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
- Donna Schweibenz, Director of Purchasing, Temple University
- Syreeta Martin, Founder, Sincerely Syreeta & Co., LLC
- Steven Singer, Founder, Steven Singer Jewelers
Panel III: Traversing the Entrepreneurial Road
12:30pm – 2:00pm
This panel will be comprised of local entrepreneurs on the way up. These business proprietors have gone beyond start-ups and are making their way down the road to economic prosperity. They will be discussing their respective trajectories and what they believe it takes to go even further.
Panelists:
- Renee Gilinger, Proprietor, Business Corridor Solutions, Former ED of East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District
- Kimberly A. Lloyd, President and CEO, Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation
- Michael Banks, President, The African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, and DE
- Jennifer Rodriguez, MCP, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Narasimha B. Shenoy, MBA, PE, President & CEO, Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia
- Osvaldo Quintero, Owner, Triumph-Jigsaw Exterminating
- Sonya W. Weigle, Managing Principal, SWC Management Consulting
- Michael A. Brown, CEO, Environmental Construction Services, Inc.
Panel IV: Lessons From The Leaders
2:15pm – 3:45pm
This panel will consist of an array of emerging and established entrepreneurs discussing their paths to success. Learn how each started in their respective fields and the paths they took to achieve their aspirations.
Panelists:
- Brook J. Lenfest, CEO and Owner, Chestlen Development LP
- Angelo Perryman, President and CEO, Perryman Building and Construction
- Donna L. Allie, Founder/President and CEO, Team Clean Inc.
- Joan Shepp, Owner, Joan Shepp Fashion Boutique
- Keven Parker, CEO, The Keven Parker Company
- Rob Wonderling, President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
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