Many attended the May 9 session of the Merrill Community Forum Series. According to all accounts, people were inspired and entertained by the session. Peter Kageyama, author of “For the Love of Cities” gave an energetic talk on ways residents of Merrill can create fun, interactive events that will make the city even more vibrant. Those in the audience developed plans to do just that and with the financial support of the Merrill Area Community Foundation and Church Mutual are beginning to implement those plans.
Now, the Forum Series continues with a keynote presentation from Terry Whipple, current Executive Director of the Juneau County Economic Development Corporation. Terry has a statewide reputation of being a leader in the effort to foster a culture of entrepreneurism. Terry has advised numerous business owners on how to cultivate inventors and entrepreneurship clubs as highly useful tools that assist entrepreneurs as they strive to compete in the 21st century economy. He has a passion for creating a contagious environment for entrepreneurship!
A bridge-builder and collaborator, Terry received the SBA’s (U.S. Small Business Administration) Region V and Wisconsin 2005 Home-Based Business Champion of the Year Award. He also received the Wisconsin 2005 Innovation Champion Award for the development of innovative new programs as well as the 7 Rivers Region Pyramid Award. In 2009, Terry was presented the International Economic Development Council Award for Innovative entrepreneurial programs. He has served as an independent business consultant specializing in work with distressed small businesses and currently maintains his own private consulting business.
If you are a business owner or manager, this is a must see event. And, if you are thinking of starting your own business, you cannot miss the opportunity to hear one of Wisconsin’s foremost business development experts. There will also be a panel of local business owners that recently set up shop here in Merrill. They will discuss the positives of establishing a business here and why other entrepreneurs should consider doing so.
This special event will occur on May 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Merrill Eagles Club. In order to reserve a spot (seating is limited) please call the Merrill Chamber at 536-9474 or the UW-Extension at 539-1075.