There is something in EntreCon for you and your business or nonprofit.

The conference, now in its third year, has an expanded focus beyond the original focus on entrepreneurs and startups. The lineup of speakers and experts is meant to offer something for everyone.

EntreCon 2017 — which runs over three days from  Nov. 14-16 — will focus on Entrepreneurship and Continued Learning, with tactical business advice for business growth and leadership success. There are four themed learning tracks — Build, Grow, Lead, Develop.

That means there will be something for managers, leaders and employees alike — from people looking to build their own skillset, to those looking to build and lead a stronger team. Click here to register.

“We are saying that the conference promises to be the best one yet,” says Rachael Gillette, director of professional development for SCI. “Why? Incredible talent, more sessions, more networking, the EntreCon Awards event, lunch and learns, bonus workshop on day three, and four tracks running concurrently in the afternoons.”
The four learning tracks are an important addition to this conference, as Gillette explains, because they were built from feedback from attendees of the 2016 conference. 
“We listened to feedback and created a larger mix of content, so we are catering to the entrepreneurs and business owners, and we are also proving employee skill development sessions.”

The “bonus day” is a session with SCI founder Quint Studer at Pensacola Little Theatre.
Another new feature: two Lunch-and-Learn sessions.

The tickets for those are additional to the overall ticket price, but at $20 per session, they remain a bonus value for learning, Gillette says.

“We are keeping them very intimate for maximum learning potential, with only 20 seats at each,” she says.

Dan Heath, Bert Thornton keynotes

Top local and national entrepreneurs will share the lessons they have learned in launching and growing startups, creating great cultures and engagement, as well as raising capital.

As a business owner or leader, the conference will offer the tools and proven strategies to help improve the bottom line and grow business. business. It also gives leaders and owners a cost-effective way to invest in their most important asset — the people they work with — by providing professional development for your employees.
New York Times Bestselling author Dan Heath will be the keynote speaker for the two-day business conference. Heath, with his brother, Chip, authored “The Power of Moments.”

The Heath brothers also was written, “Switch”, “Made to Stick,” “Decisive.” Together the Heath brothers’ books have sold more than 2 million copies worldwide and been translated into 33 languages.

Dan Heath founded Thinkwell, an innovative education company that will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2017. Dan has a Master of Business Administration degree from the Harvard Business School, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Bert Thornton, in 1971, joined Waffle House as a manager trainee. Four years later, he became a vice president. In 1994, he was elected to the board of directors. For 40 years, he worked with both company and franchise operations in Waffle House and in 2004 was named president and chief operations officer. Today, he is the retired vice chairman emeritus and is the author of “Find an Old Gorilla,” a handbook for the development of emerging leaders.

Kevin Sheridan is an internationally-recognized speaker, a New York Times Best-Selling author, and one of the most sought-after voices in the world on the topic of employee engagement. His first book, “Building a Magnetic Culture,” made six of the best-seller lists including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. He is also the author of “The Virtual Manager,” which explores how to most effectively manage remote workers.

Liz Jazwiec is a registered nurse and a speaker, strategist, and author who has shared her passion for leadership, engagement and service with audiences across industries. She is the author of the bestselling books “Eat THAT Cookie!” “Hey Cupcake! We are ALL Leaders,” and “Service Excellence is as easy as P.I.E. (Perception Is Everything.) She has had a long and distinguished career in hospital management. Today, she uses her expertize to inspire other organizations interested in building a culture where excellence is driven by strong leaders and engaged employees.

Brad Israel is chief operating officer for 68 Ventures and chief leadership officer for its core companies (Truland, Bellator, Thrive Title, 68V Development Services, and FM Solutions). He joined the U.S. Army in 2005 and successfully graduated from Ranger and Airborne School, to lead an Airborne Rifle Platoon, a Heavy Weapons Platoon, and a Scout Reconnaissance Platoon, all in combat in the eastern provinces of Afghanistan. He earned a Bronze Star, an Army Commendation Medal with a “V” device for Valor in battle; he also published a photography book, “Faces of the Future” from this time.  He went through the Special Forces Assessment Selection in 2008 and was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course earning the coveted “Green Beret” and Special Forces Tab in February 2011. He was assigned to 7th Special Forces Group. His earned numerous other military medals including two Bronze Stars and a meritorious Service Medal over the course of nearly 12 years in the Army reaching the rank of major.