GrowCo Conference

Each session runs concurrently and is led by a business thought-leader. A light box lunch is included.
(Inc.edu courses are exclusive to Conference Pass Plus registrants.)

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Get an insider’s view of how world-class brands are created, and then roll up your sleeves alongside a senior brand strategy expert who has years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies. You’ll learn to define critically important elements of your brand, including your purpose, differentiators, and brand personality, and pick up easy-to-implement strategies to create emotionally powerful, loyalty-building, and memorable customer experiences that can back it up.

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Learn through a step-by-step process the proven methodology – as explained in Les McKeown’s Wall Street Journal best-selling book Predictable Success – that will bring sustained growth and profitability to your organization. Led by Predictable Success COO Dave McKeown, this session will cover the seven stages that every business goes through, and how to clarify different roles and interactions within your organization.

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Although they may come across natural and unscripted, most successful convincers don’t just wing it. Some level of preparation or skill is involved. Using customized exercises, learn the process of creating persuasive language. Find out how to confidently and persuasively communicate your expectations rather than just dictate ideas and philosophies. Discover what it really takes to lead your people to become better versions of themselves. Learn how to unleash human performance in sales, management, customer service, and company culture. Gain the dialogue, tactics, strategies, and tools necessary to mobilize investors, customers/clients, and your team to achieve any goal.

We’ve assembled a team of experts in various areas – money, global, and scaling, among others – to offer one-on-one advice and answers to your most pressing business challenges. Check online or visit the Inc. Growth Pavilion to see each consultant’s specific area of expertise and availability. We recommend you book your appointment in advance, but walk-ins are welcome.

During this fun and casual gathering, grab a bite, enjoy a cocktail, and mingle with colleagues and hundreds of your peers. Also, be sure to meet and interact with our conference sponsors throughout the evening. Make the most of your time here by enjoying the official kickoff to Inc.’s Grow Your Company Conference.

Who’s in the mood for some bonding? Meet your fellow conference attendees during our exclusive GrowCo Pub Crawl. Some of NOLA’s best bars (within a short walking distance of one another) are opening their doors just for us to mix and mingle while we enjoy conference drink specials. You’ll get the chance to network with Inc. editors and other attendees as you hang in and around the French Quarter. Plus, everyone will have the option to start and stop at any location during the crawl. What better way to network and explore the city of New Orleans than with cocktails and conversation?

Join fellow attendees and conference sponsors in the Inc. Marketplace for coffee, tea, and conversation.

Exclusively for Conference Pass Plus registrants.

Start the day with a hearty breakfast as you interact with other entrepreneurs you’ll be learning alongside. During this exclusive morning meetup, you’ll get insight from beloved Inc. columnist, best-selling author, and serial entrepreneur Norm Brodsky. Host: Norm Brodsky, founder, CitiStorage; partner, Black Gold Suites; co-author, Street Smarts; and columnist, Inc.

Remarks by Eric Schurenberg, president and editor-in-chief, Inc.

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The Power of Rejection

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What’s Next?—Prepare for the Future of Entrepreneurship

As a pioneer who made the internet part of everyday life, Steve Case is one of America’s most accomplished entrepreneurs. Today, Case remains an advocate for the business and philanthropic communities. And he believes we are entering an era he calls the Third Wave, in which entrepreneurs will leverage technology (again!) to disrupt major industries and transform how we live and work. Case will reveal the real-world sectors that will be directly impacted by this and offer key strategies from his compelling road map. Learn how anyone can succeed in a time of rapidly changing technology as it reshapes our economy and the world.

Interviewer: James Ledbetter, editor, Inc. and Inc.com; and author, Unwarranted Influence

Exclusively for Conference Pass Plus registrants.

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Embrace the Shift to Mobile to Grow Your Business

Technology helps small businesses become large, and local businesses become global. It also spurs both economic growth and job creation. Join Inc. president and editor in chief Eric Schurenberg and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg for a conversation on the continued rise of mobile adoption and disruption; its future impact on the small-business landscape; and ideas on how entrepreneurs can grow their businesses by embracing the shift to mobile. Find out how going mobile can help you connect with customers across borders, create new communities, build your brand, and grow your bottom line. Learn what mobile really means for small business and how you can make the most of it. Interviewer: Eric Schurenberg, president and editor in chief, Inc.

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Beyond Shark Tank: One-on-One With Mr. Wonderful

Shark Tank co-star and serial entrepreneur and investor Kevin O’Leary asserts that you have to be tough to build a business empire—so much so that he says you should be willing to fire your own mother. O’Leary, also known as Mr. Wonderful, will share his thoughts on this and much more. Learn from this self-made millionaire and businessman the risks and rewards of chasing entrepreneurial ideas and passion pursuits. Also, find out what he looks for when deciding whether to invest in a company and its leaders and why he believes ruthlessness is a necessary ingredient for success.
Interviewer: Kimberly Weisul, editor at large, Inc.

Grab a meal and enjoy a recess with your fellow conference attendees. Exchange contact information and sharp observations as you discuss what it means to start, run, or grow a business.

Come to Inc. Office hours for a personalized consulting session and one-on-one advice. A team of experts in various areas – money, global, and scaling, among others will be available to answers to your most pressing business challenges. Check online or visit the Inc. Growth Pavilion to see each consultant’s specific area of expertise and availability. We recommend you book your appointment in advance, but walk-ins are welcome.

Designed to challenge your thinking, generate new ideas, and tackle your questions, all sessions run simultaneously and the format is workshop (W) or panel (P). Each session’s content focus is denoted by the following: KS = Kick-Start Growth (Launch); KG = Keep Growing (Build/Lead); GS = Grow Smarter (Lead/Innovate/Tech); and GP = Grow Profits (Money/Innovate). Some sessions may fall under multiple pillars.

Serial entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary shares his expertise and capital with the entrepreneurs he invests in on Shark Tank. In this session, O’Leary will introduce us to some of his best business deals from the show. These all-star entrepreneurs will share their business journeys; reveal what it’s really like to work with Mr. Wonderful; and explain the successes and challenges of fast (and nationally televised!) growth. Get ready for what promises to be an inside look at life beyond the Tank. Speakers: Matt Alexander, founder, IllumiBowl; Alex Kenjeev, president, O’Leary Ventures; Kevin O’Leary, founder, O’Leary Financial Group; and co-star, Shark Tank; Sara Margulis, co-founder and CEO, Honeyfund.com; and Tracey Noonan, co-founder and CEO, Wicked Good Cupcakes; Moderator: Kimberly Weisul, editor at large, Inc. (P; KG, GP)

One of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs is hiring and keeping top talent. Learn how and where to find the best candidates, why a winning company culture is crucial to get the most from your people, and what the latest best practices are to spur innovation. Also, find out how – with the right team and tactics – your organization can not just compete, but thrive as well. Speakers: Tom Gimbel, founder and CEO, LaSalle Network; Greg Harris, president and CEO, Quantum Workplace; and Jessica Rovello, co-founder and CEO, Arkadium Moderator: Jon Fine, executive director – editorial, Inc. (P; KG, GS)

Most entrepreneurs are seeking unlimited growth. But is fast growth always good? During this workshop, learn why fast growth doesn’t always correlate with quality growth. Also, discover what strategies and processes you will need to put in place to grow your company faster, and find out the key secrets to sustain such growth over the long term. Session Leader: Dave McKeown, president, Inc. Consulting by Predictable Success; Introduction: Stephanie Meyers, associate director of strategy and social media, Inc. (W; KG)

Going global is not an impossible task; you just have to know what it takes before you go. In this workshop, find out which are the best countries to expand into based on your industry and purpose. Learn from a legal and budgetary perspective how to go global, and pick up tips and tricks for finding, negotiating with, and training your first employee in any country. Discover how to identify international partners to work with and build strategic relationships within diverse countries. Leave this session with a tactical road map to make sure your local team is set up for minimal risk and maximum success. Session Leader: Nicole Sahin, founder and CEO, Globalization Partners; Introduction: Maria Aspan, senior editor at Inc. (W; KS, KG, GP)

Your company may be growing now, but is it really prepared for the future? This workshop will dive into the critical thinking and strategic plans you need to implement today for tomorrow. Learn the latest emerging trends and technology platforms and how to create real, demonstrable value for your clients and customers. Also, discover why slow and steady still wins the race and how entrepreneurs have no expiration date when it comes to innovating. Let’s ensure your company is still thriving in years to come, no matter what changes may lie ahead. Session Leader: Howard Tullman, CEO, 1871 (W; GP, GS)

One of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs is hiring and keeping top talent. Learn how and where to find the best candidates, why a winning company culture is crucial to get the most from your people, and what the latest best practices are to spur innovation. Also, find out how – with the right team and tactics – your organization can not just compete but thrive as well. Speakers: Tom Gimbel, founder and CEO, LaSalle Network; Greg Harris, president and CEO, Quantum Workplace; and Jessica Rovello, co-founder and CEO, Arkadium; Moderator: Jon Fine, executive director – editorial, Inc. (P; KG, GS)

While many of us are still in bed, others are scoring daily victories to improve their health, careers, and personal lives without sacrificing their sanity. Bottom line: Mornings hold the key to taking control of our schedules. But do you really know how to use your time wisely? During this workshop, you’ll learn proven strategies to make over your day and your life. Find out what to pick up when you drop the ball; why turning a desire into a ritual requires willpower; and how to build habits that allow you to lead a happier, more productive life. Session Leader: Laura Vanderkam, author, 168 Hours and What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast; Introduction: James Ledbetter, editor, Inc. and Inc.com; and author, Unwarranted Influence (W; KG, GS)

No one intentionally plans to face adversity, but it happens. Learn from those who’ve been there, done that and have the business battle scars to prove that bouncing back from a setback is possible. Dealing with challenges is part of life and business. But your biggest business trials can often lead to your most valuable triumphs. From a panel of battle-tested entrepreneurs, learn how mishaps and missteps can be your greatest blessing by offering you many transformational benefits and insights. Speakers: Miko Branch, co-founder and CEO, Miss Jessie’s; and Peter Platzer, co-founder and CEO, Spire; Moderator: Eric Schurenberg, president and editor in chief, Inc. (P; KG, GS)

Speakers: Brad Boyink, founder and president, GeekMyTree; Eli Crane, founder and CEO, Bottle Breacher; Alex Kenjeev, president, O’Leary Ventures; Rosy Khalife, founder and CEO, Surprise Ride; and Kevin O’Leary, founder, O’Leary Financial Group; and co-star, Shark Tank;

Moderator: Kimberly Weisul, editor at large, Inc. (P; KG, GP)

It’s time to relax and unwind. Grab a drink and network with Inc. editors and your fellow conference attendees as you discuss the day’s highlights.

It’s time to dance in the streets! Grab a drink to go as you spill out of the Sheraton hotel onto the streets of New Orleans to dance to the joyful sounds of an authentic second-line band. The band will ceremoniously lead our group in style to the location of the official GrowCo Party. We’ll give away colorful beads, handkerchiefs, and more to a lucky few. You definitely won’t want to miss this.

Come hang out and revel in the Big Easy. Join the Inc. team as well as fellow GrowCo attendees in a lively yet casual setting that’s just a short walk from the conference. Enjoy tasty bites, great music, fun games, and refreshing cocktails during the official 2017 GrowCo party. Let the good times roll! Or as the locals say it, Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Join fellow attendees and conference sponsors in the Inc. Marketplace for coffee, tea, and conversation.

Exclusively for Conference Pass Plus registrants.

Start the day with a hearty breakfast as you interact with other entrepreneurs you’ll be learning alongside. Connect and network with the award-winning editors of Inc. during this exclusive morning meetup. Gain best practices and advice on how to really tell your story in a noisy world. Host: James Ledbetter, editor, Inc. and Inc.com; and author, Unwarranted Influence

Remarks by Eric Schurenberg, president and editor-in-chief, Inc.

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How Warby Parker Sees the Future

Neil Blumenthal will discuss Warby Parker’s bold, disruptive trajectory—from the challenges of balancing entrepreneurial efforts with an underlying philanthropic mission to the tough decisions made along the way, including its careful yet deliberate approach to growth. Learn why Warby Parker resists doing things the easy way, sweats the details like crazy, and calls itself a “deliberate startup.” And discover how to stay at the forefront of technology and compete with giants no matter what your business’s focal point may be.

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How to Build a Brand People F**king Love
Founders from some of today’s most popular and admired businesses as well as industry experts discuss the power of brand identity. Using their respective marketing prowess and entrepreneurial insights, this brand-savvy all-star panel will explain how to make a lasting impression on your customers. Learn relevant brand-building best practices and why the art of storytelling is the future of marketing. This session is all about the good, the bad, and the brilliant of brand strategy. Speakers: Richelieu Dennis, founder and CEO, Sundial Brands; Emily Heyward, founding partner, Red Antler; Payal Kadakia, founder and executive chairman, ClassPass and Nancy King, director – global consumer insights and brand strategy, Airbnb; Moderator: Jon Fine, executive director – editorial, Inc.

Designed to challenge your thinking, generate new ideas and tackle your questions, all sessions run simultaneously and the format is workshop (W) or panel (P). Each session’s content focus is denoted by the following: KS = Kick-Start Growth (Launch); KG = Keep Growing (Build/Lead); GS = Grow Smarter (Lead/Innovate/Tech); and GP = Grow Profits (Money/Innovate). Some sessions may fall under multiple pillars.

Speakers: Tiffany Pham, founder and CEO, Mogul; Robbie Vitrano, founder, Naked Pizza and Idea Village; and CEO, Good Spread; Moderator: Maria Aspan, senior editor at Inc. (P; KG, GS)

Session Leader: Paul F. Monicatti, attorney; mediator and arbitrator, Impartial Dispute Resolution; adjunct professor of law; and founding member, fellow and president, International Academy of Mediators

Introduction: Jon Fine, executive director – editorial, Inc. (W; GS, GP)

Today, social media is do or die for most entrepreneurs. During this workshop, determine the right digital strategy for your needs and your budget. Learn how to recognize trends and to better utilize social media and distribute content. Learn best practices, how to engage media and other influencers, how to allocate your budgets, and how strategic social media investment can guarantee a boost to your bottom line. Walk away from this interactive workshop with tactics to help you effectively use social media so that you spend your money and time wisely. Session Leader: Shama Hyder, founder and CEO, the Marketing Zen Group; and author, The Zen of Social Media Marketing (W; GS, GP)

Session Leader: Steve Baker, vice president, the Great Game of Business (W; GS, GP, KG)

Grab a meal and enjoy a recess with your fellow conference attendees. Exchange contact information and sharp observations as you discuss what it means to start, run, or grow a business.

Norm Brodsky has seen and done it all. Relying on decades of business experience, know how, and street smarts, Brodsky is here at GrowCo to help YOU. He will share his stories of setback and accomplishment as well as lessons he’s learned along the way. No problem is too big and no issue is too small for him to tackle in this open forum. Session Leader: Norm Brodsky, founder, CitiStorage; partner, Black Gold Suites; co-author, Street Smarts; and columnist, Inc.
Introduction: James Ledbetter, editor, Inc. and Inc.com; and author, Unwarranted Influence (W; KG, KG, GS, GP)

No matter what stage your company is in, having sufficient capital is nonnegotiable. In this interactive session, we bring together seasoned entrepreneurs and experts to talk about all things money. Learn best practices on securing financing and get insider information on where to look for funding and how to best position your business to get access. Whether you’re aiming to fearlessly bootstrap or to scale your business, find out how to secure or raise funding and how to spend it wisely. Got a question? Bring it. Speakers: Ami Kassar, founder and chief executive, MultiFunding, and columnist, Inc.com; Chris Schultz, co-founder, Launch Pad and Voodoo Ventures ; Moderator: Maria Aspan, senior editor at Inc. (P; GP)

Agility in business comes not from making a fast decision but from the ability to implement decisions quickly. The key to unlocking fast implementation and deliver agility, flexibility, and execution is transitioning from personal decision making to high-quality team-based decision making. In this highly interactive session, you’ll learn a robust process for consistently and repeatedly making and implementing decisions that will drive your business forward. Session Leader: Dave McKeown, president, Inc. Consulting by Predictable Success; Introduction:Eric Schurenberg, president and editor in chief, Inc. (W; KG, GS)