National Entrepreneurship Week Kicks Off in Washington DC

The second annual U.S. National Entrepreneurship Week will take place February 23 - March 1. In 2006, Congress designated the last week in February to be used to recognize America’s entrepreneurs. This year, organizations across the country are taking time during this week to appreciate the outstanding contributions made by entrepreneurs to our country and economy.
 
"Entrepreneurs bring new, innovative ideas into the marketplace. Their efforts continue to create jobs and fuel economic growth. In order for others to continue to take risks by trying their luck at a new business, it’s important that we applaud entrepreneurs for their achievements and encourage America’s youth to pursue their own entrepreneurial endeavors. Observing National Entrepreneurship Week, is an excellent opportunity for the country to do just that," said Todd Stottlemyer, president and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business.
 
In Washington, D.C., supporters of entrepreneurship education from across the country have joined forces to host events on Monday, February 25.
 
Sponsors for Monday’s events include the NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Foundation, the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education, E-Trade, the Small Business Administration, DECA, Future Business Leaders of America, Junior Achievement, the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, George Washington University and Howard University.
 
Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour Visits George Washington and Howard Universities:
To launch National Entrepreneurship Week 2008, a coalition of entrepreneurship supporters, led by the Small Business Administration, are bringing the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour to George Washington University and Howard University on February 25. The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour will bring successful young entrepreneurs, all in their 20s, to these campuses so that they can share their stories with other college students.
 
Howard will host the tour from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Auburn Blackburn Center on campus, and GWU’s event will run from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. in the school’s Kendall Auditorium in Duques Hall.
 
The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour is currently traveling across the country to spread the word to young people that adopting an entrepreneurial mindset can help students succeed in whatever career path they choose.
 
Reception on Capitol Hill
Members of Congress are invited to a reception honoring entrepreneurial achievement Monday evening from 5:30 - 7:30 in room B338 of the Rayburn House Building. SBA Administrator Steve Preston will be speaking at the reception, and representatives from the sponsors of National Entrepreneurship Week will attend. The event is open to the press.
 
"The SBA welcomes this opportunity to support entrepreneurship education to prepare today’s youth to become future business leaders," said Preston. "During this week-long event students around the country will have a chance to see, perhaps for the first time, that it is possible for them to run a successful small business. And the SBA stands ready to help them achieve their entrepreneurial goals."