In an effort to emphasize the value and relevance of an education in entrepreneurship, California State University, Northridge is hosting the 2018 United States Association Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) annual conference to teach educators and students how to develop and enhance entrepreneurial thinking and skills.

Lois Shelton

The USASBE conference will be held Wednesday, Jan. 10, to Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Loews Hollywood Hotel located at 1755 N Highland Ave., Los Angeles. The conference gala will take place on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at CSUN’s Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, located on the south east side of campus at 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge.

“The USASBE conference is the largest academic organization bringing together scholars, educators and practitioners in the fields of small business and entrepreneurship,” said Deborah Cours, interim dean of CSUN’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics. “By hosting the conference in Los Angeles, CSUN’s Nazarian College is unveiling its new and growing role of leading the innovation and entrepreneurship landscape in the region, as well as showcasing the entrepreneurial leadership in Los Angeles.

“Educators will have a new understanding of the fertile innovative ground in this region and how innovation and entrepreneurship are supported by anchor institutions like CSUN,” Cours continued.

The conference will offer “learning journeys” — educational excursions that showcase various parts of the Los Angeles entrepreneurship ecosystem — and breakout sessions that focus on concise and compelling teaching, research and programing

“The conference is an expansive gourmet smorgasbord of insight and interaction for anyone involved in developing and guiding the next generation of entrepreneurs,” said CSUN management professor Lois Shelton. “Teachers from all disciplines can explore state-of-the-art educational techniques, technologies and exercises to develop entrepreneurial capabilities, while scholars can discuss and delve into novel cutting-edge research.

“Furthermore, practitioners and program directors can see the newest and most effective program innovations, simulations and tools to advance their goals,” added Shelton.

Attendees can participate in Q&As, as well as innovation lounges where participants can informally mingle, chat and collaborate to promote creativity and innovation.

“Sessions will present leading research findings, best practices in teaching entrepreneurship, innovative ways to engage students, and so on,” said Cours. “Keynote speakers will inspire, inform and enlighten us about the future of entrepreneurship and opportunities for success.”

During the conference, attendees will learn how to use bold teaching methods and practices that emphasize community advancement in entrepreneurship education. The conference will help teachers share their best practices and innovations; help scholars advance in entrepreneurship education through research; and help program directors and practitioners complement classroom-based entrepreneurship education with practical immersion experiences.

Additionally, the conference will have plenary sessions featuring leading entrepreneurship and business educators along with seven keynote speakers including, Roy Salter, Forensic Technologies International Consulting senior advisor, and panelists Charles D. King, MACRO Ventures CEO; Chris Silbermann, International Creative Management Partners Talent Agency’s managing partner; Peter McPartlin, Paramount Pictures executive vice president of strategic planning and business operations; Diana Kander, innovation catalyst and “New York Times” best-selling author, and David Nazarian, founder of Nimes Capital, Nazarian Enterprises and donor of the Nazarian College.

“This conference is a watershed event for the Nazarian College, CSUN and the Los Angeles educational and entrepreneurial communities,” said Shelton. “By hosting the leading national conference of entrepreneurship educators, the Nazarian College showcases its entrepreneurial acumen on the U.S. and world stages, cements the reputation of CSUN as a top-notch educational institution and showcases the dynamic Los Angeles entrepreneurial ecosystem where a new business is launched every 40 hours.”

To register and access an overview of the conference please visit the USABSE website. Guests also can register for events at the conference.

A full four-day conference registration price is $725 and a student price is $450. A one-day price for students and guests is $250. To see other pricing options, please visit the conference registry page on the USASBE website.

David Nazarian College of Business, Department of Management, Entrepreneurship, United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE)