GO Topeka’s Entrepreneurial and Minority Business Development (EMBD) introduces the new Blue Ribbon Academy Lunch and Learn Series. The Academy, presented by industry experts from across the community, will consist of three sessions each quarter. Experts will present the first of the four series this year, beginning with Marketing Your Small Business. The information shared is applicable to business of all stages and sizes. Nonprofits and corporations can also take advantage. Series One topics include:
Session I
February 16th
Finding Your Marketing Plan and Knowing Your Brand
Where to start and valuable tips to use when creating a successful marketing plan from the ground up.
Expert: Martha Bartlett Piland, president of MB Piland
Session II
March 29th Getting Social: Marketing with Social Media Understand how to leverage social media to build demand for your product/service as well as reach a wide demographic. Expert: Kerrice Mapes, president of 785 Magazine, Director of Marketing for the Topeka Civic Theatre
Session III
April 26th
Marketing to Millennials
Millennials are the new workforce of professionals. Understand how this generation makes buying decisions and what catches their attention to build new business partnerships.
Expert: Alissa Menke, vice president digital innovation at jhP
Future Academy topics: Series Two - Human Resources, Series Three - Legal Issues and Series Four - Financial Advice. The Academy will be held at 120 SE Sixth Avenue, Chamber Board Room (2nd Floor). The cost is $15 per person (lunch included). The Blue Ribbon Academy is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Seating is limited. To register, RSVP to Mary Ann at manderson@GOTopeka.com or online at www.GOTopeka.com/events.