Growth in self, business, and community is the theme of this year’s CEO Experience at the Effingham Performance Center on February 8th. The annual student-organized business conference boasts national, and local, speakers who will talk on various aspects of growth and self-improvement.
The event will feature inspirational speaker Chris Koch, a man born with no arms or legs who still manages to play, and coach, sports, operate a farm in Alberta, Canada, and travel the world on motivational speaking tours. Koch also is a major advocate for The War Amputations of Canada, a group that helps veterans and children with missing limbs. Another keynote speaker is Lewis Howes, the New York Times Bestselling Author of The School of Greatness, lifestyle entrepreneur, business coach, former pro-football player, and podcaster. Howes has been recognized by President Obama as one of the top 100 entrepreneurs under 30 and regularly contributes to publications such as Entrepreneur, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and Forbes, Inc.
Local speakers include Agracel Founder Jack Schultz, whose presentation will concern growth in the community. Schultz was also recently recognized as Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year. Schultz will share the stage with Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship Interim Executive Director Cheryl Mitchell. The day will also feature local delicacies from area eateries and a CEO alumni trade show.
Co-CEO of the event Carson Howard, a senior at St. Anthony High School, said that communication has been a challenging aspect of planning the CEO Experience. “Because everyone is kind of on different pages, like on what they’re doing for the CEO Experience, it’s been a little difficult,” Howard said. “As long as we’re all talking together and reporting back on what we’re doing it goes a lot smoother.” Her business, called Bend the Trend, is a beauty accessory boutique. She’ll be attending Illinois State and double majoring in fashion merchandising and entrepreneurship.
Howard on communication challenges.
Another student involved in planning the event is Mitchell Sager, also a St. Anthony senior. He’s on the marketing committee where his main responsibility is Twitter. He said that the program has helped him grow as an individual. “I think the biggest part of CEO is the social aspect,” Sager stated. “A lot of it talking with other people, meeting with other people and I think you’re a lot more comfortable once you’ve been in CEO,” he continued. Sager is currently working on his business Eonix Watches. He plans to pursue further education in business or the medial field while continuing his watch business on the side.
Sager on growth through CEO.
Early registration for the CEO Experience ends January 23rd. More information on how to register can be found here!