Forward City to Launch South Florida Initiative, Linking Entrepreneurs to Resources, Funding

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - March 2, 2014 - PRLog -- WEST PALM BEACH  – Forward City (http://www.forwardcity.com), a Washington, D.C.-based organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, will launch a South Florida initiative with a conference March 10 -14 in West Palm Beach and Miami designed to connect local businesses to funding, resources and education, and embolden community leaders to focus their economic goals on building from within.

Forward South Florida (http://www.forwardcity.com/southflorida) will kick off with a two-day event March 10 and 11 at the Lake Pavilion in downtown West Palm featuring Sergio Fernández de Córdova, an internationally known entrepreneur and member of the United Nation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council, and Todd Goldstein and Sam Krichevsky, the founders of The LaunchHouse, a Cleveland-area business accelerator and a co-working space used as a model for others around the country.

The three business luminaries will take part in “Creating a High Performing Ecosystem,”an invitation-only meeting with regional business and community leaders aimed at spurring a discussion about enriching local assets - education, access to technology and economic incentives – so businesses start, grow and profit. The event devised by local entrepreneur and Forward South Florida Team member Will Corrente is sponsored by the Palm Beach County Business Development Board in conjunction with The City of West Palm Beach as the venue sponsor and  will bring together local business leaders, economic development directors, stakeholders and community leaders.

“The real challenge is getting local leaders to look beyond landing the next Motorola and focus on fostering and retaining local growth companies that will develop into multi-million dollar businesses,” says Corrente, “We need to refocus our efforts on seeding homegrown businesses and supporting local talent to spark economic growth.”

The two-day West Palm Beach event features top business leaders headlining “Discover Sessions” on the maritime industry and franchising, and a look at how top local entrepreneurs made their millions. The list of speakers features Ray Titus, United Franchiser Group; Aaron Parkinson, FiiK Skateboards, and Oscar DiVeroli, The Lexad Group.

Conference attendees will also be able to attend Forward City’s own Forward Pitch, that’s when local entrepreneurs get to pitch their businesses – “No Power Points. No BS” - to potential investors.

Forward South Florida moves south to Miami on March 12 – 14. The conference at the Miami Innovation Center at the University of Miami Life Science Park will focus on the region’s global appeal and technology. “Discover Sessions” include social media; branding; women in business; attracting capital; and legal and professional services. Local businesses will also have the opportunity to make their plea for funding at two Forward Pitch sessions.

“Forward City believes that early growth stage companies are key to economic development and hold the greatest promise for communities,” says Jon Leonardo, president of Forward City. “Our goal is to provide this enterprises with the knowledge, resources and connections they need to advance to the next level of business, and to help local leaders see the benefits of supporting local business talent.”

Forward South Florida marks the launch of Forward City’s business event series planned in 12 cities throughout the country this year including Tampa, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, and New York, followed by 20 cities in 2015. Forward City, along with select partners, will begin hosting quarterly “Discover Sessions” in each event city on a variety of in-demand topics with the same high quality experts they bring to the event series.

“Our goal is to create a national network for entrepreneurs and their businesses,” Leonardo says. “Forward City will provide answers and advice for the real challenges entrepreneurs face.”

Tickets to Forward South Florida are available online at ForwardCity.com/South Florida. All three Forward Pitch sessions are free, as are the networking events. The discover sessions are $10 each, with the exception of Legal and Professional Services ($100).

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About Forward City
Forward City believes that early growth stage companies are the key to economic development and maintain the greatest impact on our world. Forward City provide them with the knowledge, resources and connections they need to successfully raise to the next level of business through a series of Discover Sessions, Forward Pitches and networking events. While others work to encourage everyone to start a company, Forward City works with the local community to give those starting and growing their businesses real-life advice they need.  Visit http://www.ForwardCity.com

Look for us on Twitter: @forwardsouthfl

Event Details
Forward South Florida, March 10 – 14
Presenting Sponsors: American Airlines & Brasco Design + Marketing
Program Sponsors: Entrepreneurs Organization of South Florida and Miami Innovation Center
Venue Sponsor: City of West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach Agenda
Date: March 10 – 11
Location: Lake Pavilion, Waterfront West Palm Beach, 101 South Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach (33401)

Monday, March 10
Creating a High Performing Ecosystem, 3 – 6 p.m., Monday, March 10 (Invitation Only)

Tuesday, March 11
Forward Pitch, 9 – 11 a.m.
Discover Session: Multi-Million Exit, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Discover Session: Franchising, 2 – 4 p.m.
Discover Session: Maritime 4 – 6 p.m.
Cocktails & Networking – 6 -7 p.m.

Miami Agenda
Date: March 12 – 14
Location: Miami Innovation Center, 1951 NW 7^th Ave., Miami (33136)

Wednesday, March 12
Keynote Address, 7 – 8 p.m.

Thursday, March 13
Forward Pitch, 9 – 11 a.m.
Discover Session: Miami Global Access Point, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Discover Session: Legal & Professional Services, 2 – 4 p.m.
Discover Session: Social Media, 4 – 6 p.m.

Friday, March 14
Forward Pitch, 9 – 11 a.m.
Discover Session: Creating a Loyal Brand, 9 - 11 a.m.
Discover Session: Women in Business, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Discover Session: Fundraising Keys to Attracting Investors, 2 – 4 p.m.
Discover Session: Cybersecurity, 4 – 6 p.m