UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Penn State has partnered with Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics and the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to host “Making Your Mark: Maximizing the Impact of Your Brand,” a panel discussion taking place from 7-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank.
Attendees will hear from emerging influencers, marketing professionals, and corporate-level professionals who will share how entrepreneurs and businesses can apply influencer marketing tactics to launch and grow their brands. Influencer marketing is considered one of the most efficient ways to promote business and personal brands online.
Featured panelists include:
- Bahati VanPelt, chief of athlete services on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee
- Amanda Mattera, vice president, influencers and partnerships at Lippe Taylor
- Bradley Kraut, marketing director at Jerpa and junior public relations major, with a minor in recreation, park and tourism management at Penn State
“In partnering with the Penn State SBDC, we are excited about our evolving collaboration with the talented people in the SBDC in our pursuit of preparing Penn State student-athletes for a lifetime impact and teaching the importance and value of an entrepreneurial spirit in today’s ever-changing world,” said Keith Embray, assistant athletic director for student-athlete welfare and development. “Global Entrepreneurship Week is one example of how Penn State’s student-athletes will have the opportunity to learn from and network with small business owners, entrepreneurs, social media influencers and industry leaders.”
Recently, Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics announced the STATEment program, which aims to help student athletes navigate name, image and likeness opportunities through programming that emphasizes entrepreneurship and personal brand development.
No Penn State affiliation is required to attend GEW Penn State events, which take place at University Park and across Penn State campus communities from Nov. 8-12. Most events are no cost and open to the public. For a full schedule of events at all participating Penn State campuses, visit gew.psu.edu/attend/schedule. Follow GEW Penn State on social media at @gewpennstate.
About the Penn State SBDC
Funding support and resources are provided through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration; by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community and Economic Development; and in part through support from Penn State and with assistance from Lock Haven University. All services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. SBDC services are not available to individuals or entities that have been debarred or suspended by the federal government.
SBDCs are hosted by leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private partners, and funded in part by the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. There are nearly 1,000 local centers available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training to new and existing businesses. The Penn State SBDC services Centre, Clinton, Lycoming and Mifflin counties in central Pennsylvania.