EntreFest! provides an opportunity to learn about business and entrepreneurship with an Iowan twist. The conference is specifically geared toward small businesses and people interested in starting a business, and most of the speakers featured work in Iowa.

“There’s not really any other conference like that in the state for entrepreneurs,” said communications coordinator Courtney Schwitzer. 

Attendees also can choose from a variety of breakout sessions during the two-day conference including “How to Keep Customers Rushing Back For More,” “How to Harvest Profits Without Sacrificing Value” and “Statewide Resources to Help Your Business.” The keynote speaker for the fifth annual fest is Kelly McDonald, who is the author of “How to Market to People Not Like You.”

“Another attendee favorite is the ‘Business Smorgasbord,'” Schwitzer wrote. “The smorgasbord allows attendees the opportunity to ask questions of business experts, from marketers, lawyers, accountants and human resource managers.”

New this year to EntreFest! is the Dream Big Grow Here Pitch-off in which seven finalists from online contests will be competing for a $10,000 grand prize. Cody Henke, senior in electrical engineering, won a regional contest with his company, Go Topless Glassware, along with Chris Perkins. The company creates drinking glasses from recycled bottles. 

“This is the one venue where a small business owner or aspiring entrepreneur can invest two days in the future of their business by learning from extremely knowledgeable business experts, and sharing ideas with other business owners,” Schwitzer wrote.