Kickstand Blog

Up Next
What: Beyond Borders: Exporting Idaho Products & Ideas to the World
When: Thursday, April 8, 2010 @ 5:30-7pm
Where: The WaterCooler
RSVP Now!
Join Kickstand as we explore the opportunities available globally for companies looking to export products and ideas beyond U.S. borders. Attendees will gain:

• An understanding of the federal and state resources available to companies with an interest in exporting
• Insight into the opportunities that President Obama’s recently announced National Export Initiative offers to Idaho companies
• Real world stories from innovative Idaho companies that are already exporting their products and ideas

The panel includes:

• Amy Benson (Executive Director of the U.S. Commercial Service’s Boise Export Assistance Center)
• Damien Bard (Director of the Idaho Department of Commerce’s International Business Division)
• Gerd Uitdewilligen (PakSense International Sales Manager)
• Ed Meyer (Meyer Industries President) 

Innovation In The News
CNN Money - Call of the Wild: Why entrepreneurs are flocking to Boise, Missoula & other mountain towns
Boise and other Rocky Mountain cities scored higher than the rest of the U.S. for entrepreneurial activity, according to the Kauffman Index, an annual survey conducted by the Kauffman Foundation, a nonprofit based in Kansas City, Mo., that promotes entrepreneurship...The Mountain States offer cheap real estate, educated workers, uncrowded airports, cultural amenities, and, in many areas, good public schools The beginnings of this bonanza date to the 1970s and 1980s, when firms such as IBM (IBM, Fortune 500), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ, Fortune 500), and Micron (MU, Fortune 500) set up shop in Idaho and Colorado. These firms chose the Rockies in part to avoid employee poaching by coastal competitors.

Seize Opportunity
Building Organizational Capacity Through Agility, Meeting Management & Process Improvement
When: April 12-16
Where: Perkins Coie
More Information
The ITC is proud to introduce David Spann & Tammy Adams.  David lead the facilitation of the ITC's strategic focus groups last November and has performed similar work in Utah and Iowa.  David and Tammy recently moved to Idaho and bring tremendous talent regarding organizational collaboration and facilitative leaders as well as process improvement and project facilitation.

Business Opportunities in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos
When: April 22, 2010 @ 1-2:30 pm Mountain
Where: Boise Chamber of Commerce
More Information
Thai consumers are creating opportunities for new sales of U.S. medical products, toiletries, security equipment, food supplements and educational services.  Thailand also continues to look for U.S. suppliers for automotive accessories, IT equipment, defense equipment, pet products and laboratory and scientific instruments among others. Cynthia Griffin, Senior Commercial Officer based in Bangkok, Thailand will be in Boise to highlight business opportunities available to Idaho companies in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

World Trade Day
When: May 4-5, 2010
Where: Boise State University
More Information
World Trade Day is the largest trade event held in the state of Idaho each year.  This is your opportunity to network and learn directly from other Idaho companies who have had success exporting as well as other leaders in the international business field.  Seminars target both the experienced exporter and those new to international sales.  This event offers seminars for senior management and employees involved in both operations and sales.  Come learn how you can contribute to maximizing your companies' global sales and profits.

Startup Weekend
When: May 21-23
Where: The Watercooler
More Information
We know you’re not the average person, but did you know that in 54 hours, the average person sleeps about 17.5 hours, daydreams as many as 350 times, and spends almost 2.5 hours waiting in line?  At Startup Weekend, in 54 hours, you can launch your own startup.  And we’re working behind the scenes, assembling an impressive crew of sponsors, speakers, and advisors, to help you start it in 54.

Our Sponsors
Kickstand is a community that supports entrepreneurship in Idaho. Our members are innovators working in all kinds of organizations. Now, you can reach this engaged and active market segment through sponsorship opportunities that are as unique and powerful as the members of Kickstand.