Forward City, a Washington, D.C.-based organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, will launch a South Florida initiative with a conference March 10 -14 in Miami and West Palm Beach designed to connect local businesses to funding, resources and education, and embolden community leaders to focus their economic goals on building from within.
“Forward City believes that early growth stage companies are key to economic development and hold the greatest promise for communities,” says Jon Leonardo, president of Forward City. “Our goal is to provide these companies with the knowledge, resources and connections they need to advance to the next level of business, and to help local leaders see the benefits of supporting local business talent.”
The Forward South Florida event in Miami March 12-14 features the Forward Pitch, that’s when local entrepreneurs pitch their businesses – “No Power Points. No BS” - to potential investors. Attendees will also get a chance to hear from top women in business and innovators in social media, cybersecurity, law, branding and international business during “Discover Sessions” aimed at showcasing what’s trending from the best and brightest South Florida has to offer. Speakers include Andrew Lucas, Robotaton; Diane Sanchez, Emerge; Heather Lopes, EarlyShares; Darren Seys, Peak 7 Advertising; and Chipp Norcross, Synectics to name a few.
“South Florida has a tremendous talent pool. Our goal is to showcase what’s available here and now,” says Juan Diego Henao, a member of the Forward South Florida team and event organizer.
The Forward South Florida event in West Palm Beach March 10 and 11 at the Lake Pavilion in downtown West Palm will feature Sergio Fernández de Córdova, an internationally known entrepreneur and member of the United Nation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council, and Todd Goldstein and Sam Krichevsky, the founders of The LaunchHouse, a Cleveland-area business accelerator and a co-working space used as a model for others around the country. The three business luminaries will take part in “Creating a High Performing Ecosystem,”a meeting with regional business and community leaders aimed at spurring a discussion about enriching local assets - education, access to technology and economic incentives – so businesses start, grow and profit.
Forward South Florida (www.forwardcity.com/southflorida) marks the launch of Forward City’s business event series planned in 12 cities throughout the country this year including Tampa, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, and New York, followed by 20 cities in 2015. Forward City, along with select partners, will begin hosting quarterly “Discover Sessions” in each event city on a variety of in-demand topics with the same high quality experts they bring to the event series.
Tickets to Forward South Florida are available online at ForwardCity.com/South Florida. All three Forward Pitch sessions are free, as are the networking events. The discover sessions are $10 each, with the exception of Legal and Professional Services ($100).
Look for us on Twitter: @forwardsouthfl
Event DetailsForward South Florida, March 10 – 14
Presenting Sponsors: American Airlines & Brasco Design + Marketing
Program Sponsors: Entrepreneurs Organization of South Florida and Miami Innovation Center
Venue Sponsor: City of West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach Agenda
Date: March 10 – 11
Location: Lake Pavilion, Waterfront West Palm Beach, 101 South Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach (33401)
Monday, March 10
Creating a High Performing Ecosystem, 3 – 6 p.m., Monday, March 10 (Invitation Only)
Tuesday, March 11
Forward Pitch, 9 – 11 a.m.
Discover Session: Multi-Million Exit, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Discover Session: Franchising, 2 – 4 p.m.
Discover Session: Maritime 4 – 6 p.m.
Cocktails & Networking – 6 -7 p.m.
Miami AgendaDate: March 12 – 14Location: Miami Innovation Center, 1951 NW 7th Ave., Miami (33136)
Wednesday, March 12
Keynote Address, 7 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, March 13
Forward Pitch, 9 – 11 a.m.
Discover Session: Miami Global Access Point, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Discover Session: Legal & Professional Services, 2 – 4 p.m.
Discover Session: Social Media, 4 – 6 p.m.
Friday, March 14
Forward Pitch, 9 – 11 a.m.
Discover Session: Creating a Loyal Brand, 9 - 11 a.m.
Discover Session: Women in Business, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Discover Session: Fundraising Keys to Attracting Investors, 2 – 4 p.m.
Discover Session: Cybersecurity, 4 – 6 p.m
- Submitted by Patricia Maldonado