Brad Crescenzo| Entrepreneur
CES, the Webbys, Disrupt NYC, South by Southwest, Social Media Week, National Small Business Week, Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Clinton Global Initiative. . . A non-exhaustive list of this year’s top 10 startup events for young treps (in order of when they occur):
1. International Consumer Electronics Show: With keynote addresses from the likes of Jeff Jordan of venture-capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz to musician-turned entrepreneur Will.i.am, the 2013 International CES is a must see — or attend, if you can foot the $1,300 price tag for a spot. Hosted by CEA, the event which will be attended by heavy hitters from giant tech companies like Qualcomm and Samsung, typically offers many a news peg. Plus, there will be several startup events including Startup Weekend. (Las Vegas, Jan. 8 – 11)
2. Social Media Week: This worldwide event is aimed at connecting businesses and individuals to collaborate on new ideas and information, while also discussing “the social, cultural and economic impact of social media.” With social media still such an intimate part of how businesses work it’s important to stay on top of the news and innovations that are directing this popular technology. Social Media Week has conferences in ten cities around the world. To find a conference near you, visit the SMW website. (New York, Washington D.C. and Lagos, Nigeria, Feb. 17 – 20)
3. South by Southwest: “A premier destination for discovery,” SXSW is a popular conference/festival that showcases music, film and emerging tech together in one big melting pot. You’ll see both young entrepreneurs involved in their first projects and seasoned start-up stars alike. Those who can make it (and land a hotel room to boot) will find this unique mix of art and business a refreshingly casual way to find inspiration and guidance. (Austin, Texas, March 8 -17)
4. TechCrunch Disrupt: This edgy conference brings together tech-centric entrepreneurs and venture capitalists in a weeklong startup marathon. Disrupt kicks off the week with a collaborative Hackathon. Moving on to a ‘Startup Battlefield’ competition, 30 companies launch their products in front of a live audience, vying for a $50,000 grand prize and the coveted Disrupt Cup. The balance of high-energy vibe and legitimate opportunity for making a splash is sure to satisfy any young entrepreneur’s appetite. (New York, April 27- May 1)
5. National Small Business Week: Hosted by the Small Business Administration, this diverse conference means to highlight not only the best of the small-business community, but also pay tribute to the outstanding impact everyday entrepreneurs have on the U.S. This event provides a great introduction to services offered by the SBA, and presents a nice balance of leadership from both the private and public sector. SBA is now accepting awards nominations. (Washington D.C., Spring)
