U.S. Chamber to Reach Young Entrepreneurs in Rolling Out Latest Phase of Campaign for Free Enterprise
Grand Rapids-Area Event Kicks off Enterprise & Education Month
ALLENDALE, MI –In rolling out the latest phase of the American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. campaign today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour (EET) to launch a multi-year partnership to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
"For years Washington has been trying to crack the code for activating a young audience," said Stan Anderson, managing director for the Campaign for Free Enterprise. "By partnering with the EET, the business community is making young entrepreneurs part of the solution in the effort to meet our 20 million job challenge.
Today's event at Grand Valley State University is one in a series of nationwide events at college campuses—from Escanaba, MI to Bakersfield, CA—to teach students about the values of free enterprise and provide them access to the resources to start their own businesses. It also kicks off the Chamber's "Enterprise and Education Month," an effort to engage young entrepreneurs on the crucial role of education in job creation. These young entrepreneurs will host interactive, half-day rallies to share their personal success stories and inspire students to create and pursue their own entrepreneurial vision.
"The American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. campaign is about keeping the American Dream alive, and EET is out there inspiring America's next great innovators," Anderson said.
"EET is thrilled to join the Campaign for Free Enterprise and enhance our outreach to young entrepreneurs around the country," said Michael Simmons, CEO and co-founder of EET. "There is no better way to ensure the future of our country's entrepreneurial spirit and economic strength than by providing these students with the education and resources they need to create and execute innovative business ideas."
Today's event at Grand Valley State University also featured leaders from the Michigan State and Grand Rapids Area Chambers of Commerce who endorsed the U.S. Chamber's campaign and pledged their support to generate a statewide discussion on how to create jobs in Michigan and get the economy back on track. It is estimated that Michigan alone needs to generate 1,289,923 jobs in the next 10 years.
Similar events are taking place across the country to announce state-by-state job growth goals and to cultivate discussions with students, mayors, governors, and academics about how to meet the 20 Million Job Challenge. In addition, the campaign is still accepting video submissions for its I Am Free Enterprise video contest, which invites all aspiring and established entrepreneurs to share their story of free enterprise for a chance to win $100,000 in cash prizes.
American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's comprehensive, multiyear campaign to support free enterprise through national advertising; grassroots advocacy; citizen, community, and youth engagement; and research and ideas leadership.
The National Chamber Foundation (NCF), a non-profit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is dedicated to identifying and fostering public debate on emerging critical issues. We provide business and government leaders with insight and resources to address tomorrow's challenges.
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