TBA

Marketplace Invention Showcase and Contest
(Open to contestants only.)

Want to find out more? Click Here!

TBA

“Flavors of Marketplace” Food & Beverage Showcase and Contest
(Open to contestants only.)

Want to find out more? Click Here!

TBA

Exhibit Hall Move In

8:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Agri-Tourism: Turning Farms, Ranches and Gardens into Great Destinations Conference
Cost of Conference: $10.00. The daily registration fee will be provided compliments of the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Customer Service for the Entrepreneur: How to Reap a Big Return from a Small Investment
What is considered good customer service today is simply not good enough. Customers say they want great customer service but expect far less. This session will provide participants with practical examples of the best customer service practices, how to continuously excel customer expectations, how to effectively serve multicultural customers, and how to turn exceptional customer service into a sustainable competitive advantage.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

8:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

What is Your Web Strategy?
The internet marketing world changes so fast it can be overwhelming to get started or even stay caught up. It is essential that you build a “blueprint” for your web strategy in order to stay focused on who you are talking to and just what to say in order to compel them to take action.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

FoodWorks “From Recipe to Reality”
This seminar is the first step in developing a food business. It is specifically designed to provide entrepreneurs with an understanding of the key issues they will need to consider when starting a food business.
Cost of Session: $99.00(includes daily registration fee).
“Flavors of Marketplace” Showcase and Contest participants and Pride of Dakota members will receive a $25.00 discount for this workshop.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

8:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

What is a Cooperative? Why is a Cooperative a Unique Business Model? A Look at Successful Cooperative Housing Projects and How They May Work for You!
This session will introduce participants to the cooperative principles and how cooperatives contribute to the United States and North Dakota economies. The Cooperative Session will showcase successful housing projects, how they got started, and how they may work for your community.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

8:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Biz $ense
This session presents basic definitions and applications of financial reports for management use by non-financial professionals. Understanding cash flows, profit and loss statements and balance sheets generated by business records software, such as QuickBooks, is a common hurdle for small business owners. By attending this presentation, you will enhance your understanding of the information provided by these statements and assist them in using the statements to better manage your business.
Cost of Session: $49.00 (includes daily registration fee).

Want to find out more? Click Here!

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

ArtUp
Marketplace is excited to offer The Art Approach to present Living Off Your Art, A Workshop for Artists. The intent of this workshop is to help foster the creative artists of our area. The workshop will include topics tailored to help artists improve their business skills – from fine-tuning product lines to profiting from artwork. The workshop will include presentations, one-on-one mentoring and display critiques designed for artists at any level. This workshop is a must for artists in all stages of their career!
(This workshop continues on Tuesday, September 28, 2010.)
Cost of Session: $65.00 adults; $35.00 students (includes daily registration fee).

Want to find out more? Click Here!

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Build Your Network Break

12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Learn How to Bring Ideas to Market
With Inventing & Licensing Expert Stephen Key
Award winning inventor Stephen Key has licensed over 20 products in the past 30 years. His products have sold in retailing giants such as Wal-Mart, Walgreens, 7-Eleven, and the Disney Theme Parks and Stores Worldwide. Stephen was a consultant for the first season of the hit TV reality show American Inventor. Stephen has been a guest on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch as well as an export guest on Dr. Phil.
(Doors open at 11:30 a.m.) Keynote address is included in the daily registration fee.
An optional box lunch is available for an additional $12.00.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Northern Plains Inventors Congress
The Northern Plains Inventors Congress (NPIC) was created to provide inventors and entrepreneurs with information and tools to effectively commercialize new ideas. The NPIC encourages innovation and economic development in Northern Plains states by connecting and exchanging ideas between inventors, entrepreneurs, and professionals. 

Want to find out more? Click Here!

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Lending a Helping Hand ~ 2010 Lenders Conference
The 2010 Lenders Conference will offer financial institutions an opportunity to learn more about the many new programs targeted to stimulating our economy and meeting the needs of both the bank and the small business borrower.
Presenting Agencies: Bank of North Dakota, USDA-Rural Development; U.S. Small Business Administration, ND Department of Commerce, Center for Technology & Business.
For more information, contact: Michael Gallagher, U.S. Small Business Administration, 701-239-5131, ext 212 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
To register for this conference, go to www.trainingnd.com or call 701-223-0707.
The daily registration fee will be provided compliments of SBA.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Build Your Network Break

3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Multi-Cultural Entrepreneurship Conference
“Cultural Connections for Business”
Starting and growing a business is a unique challenge to our new friends and neighbors. Marketplace and the City of Fargo have brought together the many cultural organizations in the Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo area to plan this entrepreneurship mini-conference. During this conference, a panel of entrepreneurs will share their experiences on how they started their business, the challenges along the way, financing, and their plans for the future. This conference will also give participants an overview of and an opportunity to build their network.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Farm-To-Plate: A Look at the Local Foods Movement and the Opportunities Available.
Have you ever wondered where your food has been before it makes it to your plate? And how it gets there? What is this “local foods” idea I keep hearing about? This session will address these questions as we look at the opportunities it presents for the entrepreneur.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Marketplace of Ideas “Meet and Greet” Reception
The Marketplace Reception is a great chance to network, exchange ideas, explore new opportunities, and thank your sponsors for their support.
EVERYONE IS INVITED!
(Refreshments will be served.)

8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Marketplace of Ideas Exhibit Showcase

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

It’s Easy Being Green: Ideas for Your Business, Home, and Community
Local experts will provide information on ways to save energy and money for your business, your home and your community through do-it-yourself projects, rebate and loan programs, and other options.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

8:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Financing Your Venture
There are many different ways to raise funds for your venture. These classes will help you explore your options. Each presenter will allow plenty of time for Q & A.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

8:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Career Opportunities
What are they? Where are they? What skills do I need? Where do I get the training to fill the positions? What resources are available to me to make good decisions? This session will be valuable for students planning for their career and adults looking for a NEW career!

Want to find out more? Click Here!

8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Selling to the Government
This session provides the basics of what is needed to do business with the government. It will also outline how the “Selling to the Government: A Matchmaking Opportunity” (an exhibit floor special feature) will work.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Great Plains Venture Capital Fair
The Great Plains Venture Capital Fair showcases the region’s most promising companies for an audience of venture investors and service professionals from regional, national, and informational venues.
Companies that are interested in presenting should submit the application form no later than August 24, 2010. An application fee of $250.00 is paid directly to Great Plains Venture Capital Fair, in advance. See their program information for more details.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Venture Launch
This intensive all day program will immerse potential entrepreneurs in the business start-up process. A MUST-ATTEND to get started! (Space is limited to 50.)
Cost of Session $49.00 (includes daily registration fee).

Want to find out more? Click Here!

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

ArtUp, continued from Monday, September 27, 2010
Marketplace is excited to offer The Art Approach to present Living Off Your Art, A Workshop for Artists. The intent of this workshop is to help foster the creative artists of our area. The workshop will include topics tailored to help artists improve their business skills – from fine-tuning product lines to profiting from artwork. The workshop will include presentations, one-on-one mentoring and display critiques designed for artists at any level. This workshop is a must for artists in all stages of their career!
Cost of Session: $65.00 adults; $35.00 students (includes daily registration fee).

Want to find out more? Click Here!

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Built 4 Sale: Preparing Your Business for Successful Sale
Planning to sell your business or pass it on to family or employees? Are you interested in buying an existing business, but don’t know how to value it? Are you an economic developer in an area with core businesses needing to be passed on in the next five years, but don’t know how to assist them? Attend this session to get your answers!
Cost of Session $79.00 (includes daily registration fee).

Want to find out more? Click Here!

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Build Your Network Break

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Building a Display That Works…and the Skills Needed to Make the Most of Your Efforts
Companies’ sign up for trade shows and job fairs with the expectation of numerous sales and new recruits only to find the results are many times less than stellar, let alone acceptable. This class is designed to first bring you up to speed on new display items and booth designs now available. Second, presenters will offer tips and techniques to maximize your investment in your booth fees, display tools and manpower.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Featured Speaker:
Dr. John Richman, President, ND State College of Science
(Doors open at 11:30 a.m.)
An optional box lunch is available for an additional $12.00.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

The ABC’s of Franchising
Franchising can be a great opportunity for prospective business owners. A franchise offers a proven and ready-made business model backed by a variety of support mechanisms to help the business grow and prosper. However, franchising is not for everyone as this class will examine both the advantages and disadvantages to this unique method of starting a business.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Small Business 911
A “How-To” session for small business owners. Session will include discussion on the top ten crucial health care laws, formation of a business, employee vs. independent contractor, payroll services, tax implications, and retirement options.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The Future of Rural Communities
Jasper Schneider, State Director of USDA-Rural Development and staff will present an overview of the Rural Development programs available to assist communities for a sustainable future.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

2011 Innovate ND Kick-Off
Attend this session to hear plans for the 2011 Innovate ND Program and their awards and prize packages. Innovate ND is a venture competition and so much more! It is also a gathering place of useful online educational information, business planning tools, and coaches. Innovate ND brings together entrepreneurs, inventors and educators who can help you!

Want to find out more? Click Here!

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Build Your Network Break

3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Invention Success ~ How I Became an Inventor!
A panel will share how they became inventors…
From ‘inspiration’ to ‘prototypes.’
From ‘money issues’ to ‘angels in waiting.’
From ‘it can’t be done’ to ‘here it is!’
From ‘I wish I had listened to Stephen Key’ to ‘I hate my advisor.’
From ‘there will be no ROI’ to ‘we are interested in your product.’
This panel will be sharing all their experiences! A MUST attend!

Want to find out more? Click Here!

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Tapping into Global Markets (Export Advice)
With 95 percent of the world’s consumers living outside the United States, businesses today are increasingly turning to the global marketplace to expand their customer base. And North Dakota companies have more resources than ever before to help them penetrate high-demand foreign markets. This session will provide you an overview of the services provided by the ND Trade Office and the U.S. Commercial Service.

Want to find out more? Click Here!

5:00 p.m.

Marketplace Awards Program and Closing Ceremony
Celebrate “Connecting Great IDEAS and Great PEOPLE”
Announcement of:
Marketplace Invention Showcase and Contest Award Winners
“Flavors of Marketplace” Food and Beverage Showcase and Contest Award Winners
Marketplace Entrepreneurs of the Year
Tribute to our Sponsors
EVERYONE IS INVITED!
(Refreshments will be served.)

Want to find out more? Click Here!