The Youth Advantage: Why Young Entrepreneurs Are Your Secret Weapon for Economic Growth
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Event Details
What if the key to revitalizing your community lies not in recruiting Fortune 500 companies, but in nurturing the entrepreneurial spark within your local youth? This dynamic session reveals how strategic youth entrepreneurship programs can become powerful economic development engines, transforming communities from the ground up. Drawing from the proven success of the CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) Program at the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship, attendees will discover the "entrepreneurial magic" that turns young dreamers into job creators and community catalysts.
Through real-world examples, you'll learn how to design, implement, and scale youth-focused initiatives that deliver measurable economic impact. Whether you're seeking fresh approaches to talent retention, innovative small business development strategies, or new ways to energize your economic development portfolio, this session provides practical solutions that attendees can immediately implement in their communities.
Free for members | $49 for non-members
Meet Chris Egelston, a captivating keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and renowned corporate magician. With a lifelong passion for magic, Chris transformed his hobby into a successful entrepreneurial journey, performing his first paid show at just 15. Today, he combines magic, mind-reading, and transformational strategies to deliver impactful presentations that leave audiences laughing and learning. As the Community Engagement Leader at the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship, Chris empowers emerging entrepreneurs through the CEO Program, fostering community growth, workforce development and economic development.
His keynote, “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Magic,” reveals the secrets to building successful entrepreneurial ecosystems. With over 6,000 live presentations under his belt, Chris is a master of engaging entertainment, blending magic with business insights to inspire and motivate audiences nationwide. Earned Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and M.B.A. from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Contact: Chris Egelston Community Engagement Leader Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship cegelston@midlandinstitute.com Cell: 618-727-4384 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisegelston/ TEDx Speaker - Unlocking Entrepreneurial Magic - https://youtu.be/gLi3v_ycL48?si=WBj5dJKvWHtr2Lj7