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Money and Markets 2003 Conference Draws Optimistic Crowd
CED's Conference Offers Tips on Succeeding in Turbulent Economy
February 7, 2003, Research Triangle Park, NC - The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) hosted its second annual Money and Markets conference on Friday with over 500 people participating. The conference, held at the RTP's Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center, gave entrepreneurs relevant knowledge and resources about financing, partnering and value creation strategies for today's "new playing field."
Money and Markets 2003 offered 11 interactive panels featuring 56 panelists who provided insight into starting and running a business in the current economy. Les Bethune, a partner with Ernst & Young LLP and co-chair of the Money and Markets 2003, said people came to the conference with a "stubbornly optimistic" outlook on the business environment. He said this positive perspective, despite the turbulent economy, guided the conference.
"We're excited about what we pulled together at this conference," Bethune said. "Having this kind of networking and interaction is what CED's Money and Markets is all about."
Neal Hunter, Chairman of Durham-based Cree, Inc., and winner of the 2002 National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Technology category, delivered the conference keynote address. During his speech to a filled-to-capacity audience, Hunter stressed the importance of conserving cash through practical burn rates. He also said companies at all levels should maintain a balanced perspective and a realistic sense of optimism.
"I've got a long list of lessons learned while at Cree," Hunter said. "Don't get ahead of yourself, and make positive cash flow your priority."
Mark Vitner, senior economist with Wachovia Corporation, was the featured speaker at lunch. He said conflicts overseas greatly influenced state and national economic trends.
"Once we solve the Iraq and North Korea conflicts, we will start seeing business decisions here move forward, and that's when you will see the joy and the jobs return," Vitner said. Conference Co-Chair Kent Christison, of Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman LLP, echoed Bethune's sentiments about the conference's impact.
"We've had an abundance of panelists that shared meaningful information on navigating this economic environment," Christison said. "The conference also gave people a chance to develop and create relationships with each other."
About CED: The Council for Entrepreneurial Development, located in Research Triangle Park, NC, is a private, non-profit organization formed in 1984 to stimulate the creation and growth of high-impact companies in the greater Research Triangle region. CED provides education, mentoring and capital formation resources to new and existing high-growth entrepreneurs through annual conferences, seminars, workshops and monthly programs on entrepreneurial management and finance. CED is the largest entrepreneurial support organization in the nation with more than 5,000 members representing 1,200 entrepreneurial companies, financiers and professional firms. www.cednc.org