Race to Entrepreneurship Highlights Upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Week

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 11, 2008 – The St. Louis Regional Entrepreneurship Educators (www.stlree.org) are presenting the Second Annual St. Louis Race to Entrepreneurship on Saturday, Nov. 15. The event is one of several that will be held in the St. Louis metropolitan area to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week 2008, Nov. 17-23.

According to Dr. Barrett Baebler, assistant professor and director of Webster’s Certificate in Entrepreneurship program, the Race to Entrepreneurship combines teamwork, physical exercise and academic trivia focused on building entrepreneurship interest in the St. Louis region. “The Amazing Race-style competition tests participants’ knowledge of entrepreneurial people, locations and businesses in St. Louis,” he said.

The objective of the Race is for two-person teams to correctly locate as many checkpoints as they can and return to event headquarters at Simon Hall on the Washington University campus within four hours. Teams receive a Checkpoint Clue Sheet moments before they’re released at 9:45 a.m. The locations of the checkpoints – each of which has an entrepreneurial component – are embedded in the clues and are scattered around the St. Louis area. There is no set course to the Race, nor are the checkpoints marked. Teams will prove they visited each checkpoint by taking a photo of themselves in front of the checkpoint using their own digital camera. The only allowed methods of travel are by foot or local public transportation – light-rail or Metro bus. Teams can utilize a “support team” composed of smart people who can be called via cell phone to help solve the clues that lead to the checkpoints.

The winning team will receive two iPod touch devices. All participants will receive a free T-shirt and are eligible for door prizes. Free registration for the Race is at www.stlree.org.

“This event will provide a fun and exciting kickoff to Global Entrepreneurship Week in St. Louis,” Baebler said. At Webster, two additional events will take place during Entrepreneurship Week --  presentations by two successful St. Louis entrepreneurs:

•    On Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Sverdrup Hall Room 101, Dan Kopman, chief operating officer and co-founder of The St. Louis Brewery Inc., will present “The Business Side of Schlafly Beer,” discussing the challenges he faces selling beer in competition with the world’s largest brewing company.

•    On Thursday, Nov. 20, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the University Center’s Sunnen Lounge, Robert Fishbone will present “Selling the Scream.” Fishbone’s discussion centers on the “collision of art and business” – problems he faced, innovative solutions he developed, and pertinent issues for any would-be entrepreneur. Using his skills as a storyteller and musician, Fishbone’s presentation comes alive through songs and anecdotes.

For a complete listing of Global Entrepreneurship Week events, visit www.stlree.org. 

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University is a worldwide institution committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. Founded in 1915, Webster offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five schools and colleges, and a global network of more than 100 campuses. Its 20,000-plus student population represents almost 150 nationalities. The University’s core values include excellence in teaching, joining theory and practice, small class sizes, and educating students to be lifelong independent learners, fully prepared to participate in an increasingly international society.

Since opening its first campus overseas in Geneva in 1978, Webster has become a recognized leader and innovator in global education, with an international presence that now includes campuses in London; Vienna; Amsterdam and Leiden, the Netherlands; Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, China; and Bangkok and Cha-am, Thailand. Webster also has educational partnerships with universities in Mexico and Japan.

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