7 'Can't Miss' Conferences For Entrepreneurs in 2017

This is the third annual appearance of this column, which ranked as two of my most popular postings in 2016 and 2015.

Today I am providing my list of the top “hidden gem” networking and educational events in 2017 for entrepreneurs. I have made these picks with an eye toward high networking and learning benefits for entrepreneurs who are looking for great mentors, new funding and innovative ideas for PR.

CEO Space presenter Eve Hogan appears on stage (Image courtesy of CEO Space International)

This is an unofficial list I’ve created on the basis of quality of attendees, avoidance of hard sells, social responsibility, and positive results for those who’ve attended. I have personally attended and spoken at the first two of these events, and as disclosure, I serve in an unpaid role as a faculty member for the first event listed, CEO Space. Events 5 and 6, the Great Game of Business and Small Giants have come to my attention on the recommendation of the channel producers for Entrepreneurs. Event 7, entering the 2017 list as an honorable mention, is a small and focused new conference that will be premiering in Atlanta on February 22-24.

On these notes, my choices are as follows:

1) CEO Space. Now in its 29th year, this event is billed as a business growth accelerator conference.  It addresses entrepreneurs of all ages at its five annual 5-day events, now moved since mid 2016 from Las Vegas to Orlando, Florida. In 2017, the July event will include a YEP! (Young Entrepreneur Program) that will coincide with its August 1-5 event.

Benefits of CEO Space include sessions on Total Capital Education from legal Compliance, to how to do an investor presentation, legal, tax, strategic planning sequencing, marketing, branding, social media and sales. Additional topics include leadership, team development, contract law, IP law, business finance, business planning, and non-profits. The event is known for educating entrepreneurs on success in traditional funding as well, with several billion dollars in successful funding occurring at the event itself over the years. All faculty members are vetted for verification as Subject Matter Experts through a due diligence process conducted by Avent-Guard.com. Says founder Berny Dohrmann: “When business owners come together in cooperation, business accelerates like nothing else in the world.”

2) Secret Knock. This event began in the living room of its founder, Greg Reid. Now several years old, the bi-annual event is known forward-thinking presentations from high-profile presenters who’ve accomplished significant business outcomes and enacted wide-scale social change. Key to these events are TED-style presentations from individuals who are pioneers of change and advocates of collaboration. At these events, attendees learn directly from entrepreneurial greats (as opposed to teachers, authors or professional speakers). Power presenters scheduled to appear at the May 22-23 conference include:

• Dr. Frank Shankwitz, Founder Make A Wish
• Brian Smith, Founder UGG boots
• Leah Amica O'Brien, 3 time Olympic Gold Medalist
• Tonino Lamborghini, (Himself)
• Lesley Visser, Sports legend, NFL Hall Of Fame
• Dr. Scott Parazynski, Astronaut
• Gene Landrum, Creator Chuck E Cheese
• Walter O'Brien, Scorpion Computer Services
• David Meltzer, Founder of Sports 1 Marketing
• Nia Peoples, actress and singer who is most recently known for her role as Pam Fields, the mother of Emily Fields on the hit TV drama “Pretty Little Liars.”

A part of the appeal for this event is that it is exclusive and attendee space is limited. Attendees must apply and be pre-screened and approved to attend in advance. “It’s the greatest event you (cannot) attend,” Reid says. His motto, as always: “Success guaranteed, or your old life back.”