Workshops & Training
GROW Nebraska provides training and technical assistance to members to assist entrepreneurs at all levels in the product development, business training and marketing skills. GROW Nebraska also provides help to Nebraska women with entrepreneurial training in part due to funding from the WealthSpring Fund.
National 4-H Extension Educators Conference
October 26, 2011
On October 26, 2011 GROW Nebraska offered a Marketplace Store at the National 4-H Extension Educators Conference in Omaha, NE. Over 1,000 participants from around the country attended the conference. This was a wonderful way for GROW Nebraska members to show their products to people from around the country. GROW Nebraska also assisted students from the 4-H ESI Program sell their products at the event.
Russ's B&R Tastings
July 29 and November 8, 2011
The Grocery Store Initiative connects high growth potential Nebraska companies with large volume buyers. Companies learn the ins and outs of selling in pallets instead of cases.In July of 2010, GROW Nebraska sponsored their first wholesale tasting with Russ's B&R Stores. Twenty-one GROW Nebraska members participated, showing their products to managers and buyers for Russ's and Super Saver. The goal was to increase awareness for grocery store buyers of Nebraska products while allowing Nebraska businesses a forum to showcase their products.
GROW Nebraska held a second event in July of 2011, in which nine members participated, and a third in November of 2011 in which nine members participated. The next event is scheduled for July 17, 2012.
Marketing Workshops
September 14, October 25, and November 18, 2011
GROW Nebraska is offering workshops in 2011 on "Innovative Technology for Marketing to Greater Nebraska and the World."
GROW Nebraska presented at the Greater Omaha Chamber on September 14, 2011. You can view the highlights of the presentation here.
GROW Nebraska also presented a marketing workshop, brought to you by in partnership with the NBDC on October 25, 2011 in Omaha.
Join us for our next networking and marketing workshop, brought to you by GROW Nebraska, North Platte Chamber and Development, and the MPCC Center for Enterprise on November 18, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mid Plains Community College North Campus (1101 Halligan Dr.), North Platte. GROW is offering this opportunity to our members for $25 (lunch is included). Non-members must pay $35/person to attend. Sign up here to attend. This entrepreneurial training is being made possible in part due to support received by the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation.
GROW Nebraska also had Marketing Workshops in 2009-2010. GROW Nebraska and the University of Nebraska—Extension Specialists covered social marketing business basics in their first round of marketing workshops. These workshops showed how Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blogging can increase brand awareness and create relationships that produce repeat customers.
Previous marketing workshops were held in Bassett, Chadron, Fremont, Kearney, Lincoln, McCook, Nebraska City, Norfolk, North Platte, Omaha, Scottsbluff, Sidney, and Valentine. If you would like a workshop in your area, please e-mail us at info@grownebraska.org.
GROWnections
October 25 and November 18, 2011GROWnections is an opportunity for current and potential members to meet GROW staff and learn more about the GROW Nebraska program. It is a great way to learn how to get the most value out of your membership, learn about membership, and network with other businesses. Join us at Nebraska at the Market in Omaha on October 25, 2011 from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm, or Da Buzz Coffee House in North Platte on November 18 from 2pm-4pm. Phone-in trainings also available. Sign up here to participate.
GROW Members ask CEO Janell Anderson-Ehrke questions about their membership during the 2011 Pre-Conference held in Norfolk, NE at Northeast Community College.MarkeTECH Pre-conference
March 30, 2011The 2011 MarkeTECH Pre-conference featured member David Hefley of Meridian Consulting. He spoke about Search Engine Optimization and Web Site ROI. The event took place on March 30 in Norfolk, NE at Northeast Community College.
David Hefley has been designing web sites for small businesses for over 5 years. As president and owner of Meridian Consulting, Inc., he has helped a broad variety of local businesses begin competing in the global online market place with great success.
Available to members only, the pre-conference is held every spring and changes locations yearly to accomodate members around the state.
MarkeTECH Conference
Watch the video above to see an overview of the 2011 MarkeTECH Conference which was held in Norfolk, NE.
Watch these other two videos featuring our speakers as well:
March 31, 2011Watch these other two videos featuring our speakers as well:
The GROW Nebraska MarkeTECH Conference is a yearly conference held in the spring for GROW Nebraska members and non-members. The location changes yearly to accommodate both the eastern and western Nebraska populations. The 2011 conference was held on March 31 in Norfolk, NE at Northeast Community College. Join us for the 2012 MarkeTECH Conference on April 19, 2012 in North Platte, NE.
This year's keynote speaker was Joseph Knecht, Co‐Founder & Managing Director of Vipa Solutions. Joseph gave a presentation titled "Your Web Site is a Tool ... Now How to Use It!" A successful web site must have a strong mix of targeted content, product information and value adding services. As internet use increases business owners are more comfortable with growing their businesses online the need to understand strategies like dynamic content, eCommerce, blogs, and virtual customer interactions is a must. He shared strategies to how to take your web site to the next level in a way that engages customers and entices them to come back.
"I just wanted to thank all of your staff for a very informative conference.You were all so helpful and always friendly to me. I met so many new friends and heard from some this weekend. Several opportunities have all ready come my way as a result of this conference. The lunch and snacks sure hit the spot, and tasting other GROW members food was a nice idea. Take care and I will see you all at the next event." ~Verleen Kuhlmann, Flowers by V
"I wanted to thank you again for letting me speak at the MarkeTECH Conference ... Ryan and I very much enjoyed attending and meeting everyone involved with the Conference." ~Tyson Benson, Patent Attorney, Advent
"I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how much we enjoyed the conference. You all did a fantastic job in putting it together. Thank you." ~Wendy Beinlich, Italian Fusion
MarkeTECH Trade Show
March 31, 2011Held in conjunction with the yearly MarkeTECH conference, the MarkeTECH Trade Show allows you to showcase your service business. Through our conference and trade show, your business can reach out, one-on-one, to small business owners from a variety of locations around the state. Many times this kind of face-to-face contact can be the difference maker in securing a new client.
All trade show booth fees include registration for the MarkeTECH conference and lunch for one. GROW members receive discounted booths.
Republican Plains Activities Conference
September 28, 2011Janell Anderson Ehrke presented to over 200 students about "Are You An Entrepreneur?" at the Republican Plains Activities Conference (RPAC) held in Alma, NE on September 28, 2011. The presentation highlighted the youth entrepreneurs and success GROW Nebraska members that started their businesses while in high school. The presentation also showcased the initiative ways GROW Nebraska is marketing Nebraska small businesses. The theme of the conference was "Lead Nebraska."
2011 Midwest Regional FCS Conference
April 9, 2011Erin Malzer presented to approximately 20 students and teachers at the 2011 Midwest Regional FCS (Family and Consumer Sciences) Conference on April 9 in Iowa Falls, IA. She presented the history of GROW Nebraska and how GROW Nebraska assists entrepreneurs on all levels.
