Schedule of events set for Global Entrepreneurship Week at Penn State Altoona

Global Entrepreneurship Week at Penn State: Start Something Here

Global Entrepreneurship Week is the annual celebration of Penn State's year-round commitment to innovation. It brings together students, faculty, staff, and community members to promote the entrepreneurial spirit and cultivate startup businesses. Each November, Global Entrepreneurship Week inspires people everywhere through local, national, and global events to help them explore their potential as innovators and self-starters.

Credit: Penn State

ALTOONA, Pa. — Penn State Altoona will hold several virtual events as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week from Nov. 14-18.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is the annual celebration of Penn State's year-round commitment to innovation. It brings together students, faculty, staff and community members to promote the entrepreneurial spirit and cultivate startup businesses. Each November, Global Entrepreneurship Week inspires people everywhere through local, national and global events to help them explore their potential as innovators and self-starters.

Penn State Altoona's Global Entrepreneurship Week offers networking events, presentations and workshops to help make those dreams a reality for anyone who has ever dreamed of starting a business. Visit the Global Entrepreneurship Week site for more information and event registration.

Top 5 in Twenty-Five Virtual Speaker Series: Ace That Interview!
Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 12:05 to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom — Alexandra Davis, talent acquisition specialist for Enterprise Holdings, will share best practices and tips to interview with ease and confidence. Open to all students, faculty, staff and community members. Zoom registration for “Ace That Interview” is available online.

Side Business Stories
Monday, Nov. 14, from 11 a.m. to noon via Zoom or in person at the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence — Allison Albinski, founder of WhisperWood Studios, and Michele Kennedy, founder of Personalized Pretzels LLC, will share how they started their businesses and how they balance full-time jobs with a side hustle. Open to all students, faculty, staff and community members. Zoom registration for “Side Business Stories” is available online, or you can attend in person in Room 201 of the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

Starting Your Creative Business
Monday, Nov. 14, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, 1210 11th Ave., Altoona — Suzanne Pequignot will share her experiences as owner of Picture Perfect Gallery in Hollidaysburg, while Hannah Harley, site director at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Altoona, will speak about how artists and creatives can make a living with gig work and art business structures. This event is open to all students, faculty, staff and community members. No registration is required. 

Innovative Paper Airplane Competition
Monday, Nov. 14, from 7 to 8 p.m., in the Maple Residence Hall — Join this competition to see whose airplane can make it the farthest using only the materials provided. Additional rules will be given at the event. This event is open to all Penn State Altoona students living in Maple Hall. No registration is required.

Top 5 in Twenty-Five—GEW Edition: What is an MVP?
Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 12:05 to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom — Joe Merilli, co-founder of PS Solutions, will teach you what a minimum viable product (MVP) is, how to build one, the benefits of having one, and the most common MVP mistakes. Open to all students, faculty, staff and community members. Zoom registration for “What is an MVP?” is available online.

Finance 101 for Small Business
Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 4:30 to 5:50 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence — Panelists Tom Seasoltz, chief financial officer at Altoona Blair County Development Corporation; Corey Tubo, senior vice president/director of commercial banking at Reliance Bank; and Lee Hite of the Alleghenies Angel Fund and former chairman of The Hite Company, will discuss important financial topics, loan programs, venture capital and angel investors, and the importance of personal credit. Open to Penn State Altoona students in person in Room 201 of the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence and all students, faculty, staff and community members via Zoom. Zoom registration for “Finance 101 for Small Business” is available online.

‘Toona Tank
Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Devorris Downtown Center — Student contestants from Penn State Altoona will be given a random object and a short timeline to create a 60-second elevator (product) pitch. Then, before a live and virtual audience, they will present their product. Audience members will be able to vote online for their favorite contestant in several categories, such as Best Overall Presentation and Most Enthusiastic Presenter. Gift cards will be awarded to winners in each category. This event is open to all Penn State Altoona students to participate as a contestant. Open to all students, faculty, staff and community members to watch in person at the Devorris Downtown Center, located at 1431 12th Ave. in Altoona, or via Zoom. Zoom registration for “’Toona Tank” is available online.

How to Develop a Logo That Works
Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to noon via Zoom — Colleen Devorris, founder and CEO of BrandDemon Strategy+Design, will share tips on how to develop a logo that works. This event is open to all students, faculty, staff and community members. Registration for “How to Develop and Logo that Works” is available online.

Networking for Success
Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Pond View Lounge of the Slep Student Center — “Networking for Success” provides students with the opportunity to connect and network with local professionals that impact their community. This event could provide students with career advice, valuable insights, and the possibility of internship and career opportunities. The professionals that are attending the event are from a variety of industries. Some of which include real estate, finance, health care and many more. Open to all Penn State Altoona students. Registration for “Networking for Success” is available online via Connect

Student Entrepreneur Panel
Thursday, Nov. 17, from 3 to 4 p.m. online via Zoom or in-person at the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence — Students from Penn State Altoona will provide their back story, motivations, failures and successes in launching their own business endeavors. The event will wrap up with a Q&A session. Open to Penn State Altoona students in person in Room 201 of the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence and all students, faculty, staff and community members via Zoom. Zoom registration for the “Student Entrepreneur Panel” is available online.

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