New York City truly is the place to be if you’re interested in starting your own business and turning your ideas into something big. Young entrepreneurs flock to the city for ample business opportunities, broad client bases, and startup events that provide inspiration, key insights, and valuable connections. With more and more people shifting away from the traditional 9-5 work model, an entrepreneur conference or startup event can help give you that extra push of motivation and extra edge to rise above the competition.
Here are seven exciting entrepreneur events in NYC this year to look forward to. Whether you’re looking for entrepreneurship development or to network with other young entrepreneurs, 2018 is a great year to launch and expand your very own business in New York City.
Fordham University’s 7th Annual Entrepreneurship Conference (February 24, 2018)
A university-hosted event that’s coming up on February 24 is Fordham’s 7th Annual Entrepreneurship Conference called TrepCon. This event is hosted by the Fordham Entrepreneurship Society and takes place from 10am to 4pm at the McNally Amphitheatre, which is at the Gabelli School of Business at Lincoln Center. This entrepreneur conference will draw in over 250 students, entrepreneurs, experts, and community members to join together for interactive panels, keynote speakers, workshops, and networking events. Jeff Cruttenden, the founder of Acorns, is the keynote speaker who will take the stage at 3pm. Other speakers include Tom Lehman of Genius and Derek Flanzraich of Greatist. Free lunch will be served, and attendees will receive a free t-shirt, gear, and raffle ticket.
REMIX New York 2018 – Summit for Culture Technology and Entrepreneurship (March 22-23, 2018)
On March 22 and 23, entrepreneurs should also make a point to attend this REMIX event. Day one takes place at A/D/O in Brooklyn, and day two takes place at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum at Pier 86. REMIX offers a series of global summits on entrepreneurship and other relevant topics. Speakers who will be at the New York event include Linda Boff of GE, Eriz Nazum of Audible, and Robert Hammond of High Line. Some of the sessions you can look forward to here are VR & Mixed Reality, Diversity in the Creative Sectors, New Opportunities in Social Media, and Maintaining the Heart of the City.
StartupColumbia Festival 2018 (April 5-6, 2018)
This is a great event for young entrepreneurs interested in startup events because it’s a celebration of innovation and a competition too. Over 200 Columbia startups will compete for $200,000 in cash awards for the competition, which will be held at the Miller Theater on the Columbia University campus. Winners are announced on the second day of the event, which will also be a time for thought-provoking discussions on Blockchain, NewSpace startups, and power branding. The list of conference speakers includes Columbia professors like Elizabeth M.C. Hillman and Tilla S. Worgall. Lunch will be served by over 40 Columbia-founded startups as well.
12th Entrepreneurial Summit 2018 (May 2, 2018)
Young entrepreneurs will also want to check out this event on May 2 at the Borough of Manhattan College to learn about how to work for a startup and find your inspiration to open a restaurant, fitness studio, media group, or other innovative business. This event is open to all CUNY students, alumni, faculty, and staff. It starts with registration from 9:30-10am and finishes with closing remarks at 1pm. The speakers will include restaurateur Michael Chernow who founded The Meatball Shop, Henry Schleiff of the Discovery Channel, and Yanti Amos who founded Earth Yoga. You can even learn about creating up a law business or how to become a writer or director in TV and film when you attend this event.
Small Business Expo (May 3, 2018)
If networking with other young entrepreneurs is your top goal for 2018, then you won’t want to miss the Small Business Expo on May 3 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The event runs from 9am to 5pm and allows you to also network with thousands of business owners and C-level executives. There are more than 20 business workshops to attend on this day, speed networking sessions, business card exchanges, and main stage presentations led by industry experts. Past and current speakers include Anastasia Kudrez of Google, Charley Storey of Harpoon Brewery, and Mark Victor Hansen, the co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Some of the top industries that exhibit here include computer equipment, credit cards, health insurance, payroll, financial services, e-commerce, legal services and many more.
Business, Design & Technology Conference 2018 (October 18, 2018)
This conference will be taking place on October 18 at Centre for Social Innovation in New York City. It is presented by SMPLCT Lab and designed to explore how entrepreneurship, design, and technology all play into the economic and social development of our modern society. The event starts at 10am, and it’s a great way to get connected with NYC’s vibrant entrepreneurial community. After registration, a light breakfast, and welcome remarks, there will be a keynote speaker, lunch, several panels and presentations, and a cocktail party at 6pm. Cynthia Hellen, the founder and CEO of SMPLCT Lab, will provide the closing keynote.
New York Business Expo and Conference (November 2018)
All small business owners and entrepreneurs can get something out of attending the New York Business Expo and Conference this year at the Jacob Javits Center. This is the region’s top business conference, trade show, and networking event, and you can be a part of it this November. Last year, featured NY expo speakers included David Meltzer, Bill Walsh, Noah St. John, and Maisha Walker. This entrepreneur conference offers educational sessions to help you grow your business, as well as specialized seminars about marketing, sales, financing, and social media. There are also lots of networking opportunities to connect with vendors on the 175-booth show floor and potential business partners. This is also a great place to learn about all the services that your entrepreneurial business may need in the future, such as insurance, payroll, and website services.
Rent Virtual Office Space While Attending These NYC Events
No matter which of these entrepreneur events you’re able to attend this year, experienced and young entrepreneurs can benefit from having virtual office space in New York City. At NYC Office Suites, we can set you up with well-known, prime building locations and reliable workspaces at a very cost-effective rate. You’ll be in the heart of Midtown Manhattan with easy access to conference events and networking parties, and you’ll also have a professional space to meet with potential customers and partners.
Then as your business grows, we offer entrepreneurs a wide variety of additional business services as well, such as a prestigious business address, local live receptionist, onsite virtual mail assistant, and flexible office technology. Contact us today to set up your NYC virtual office to get ready for the next entrepreneur conference coming to town!