Spark networking event for entrepreneurs, inventors and business owners to be held Dec.11 at 5:30 p.m.

by Belinda Allen
November 13, 2014

The Center for Business and Economic Development (CBED) at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus is partnering with the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce to host SPARK Columbus, a networking event for entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, inventors, small business owners, young professionals, students, educators and others interested in start-up and new business ventures.

The free event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11 in the Columbus Learning Center at 4555 Central Avenue. A cash bar will be available.

According to organizers Greg Knudson, CBED director, and Cindy Frey, chamber president, these SPARK Columbus events celebrate entrepreneurs and inventors who are pursuing start-up and new business ventures.

Participants can network with a number of community businesses and creative risk-takers who are launching new business ventures.

When Dr. David Elwood, PhD. founded Elwood Consulting as a pre-employment survey business in 1980, he had no idea that it would evolve into one of the nation’s largest contingent employment providers, Elwood Staffing. Under the leadership of Dave and his three sons, Elwood Staffing now serves over 6,000 clients, employs nearly 1,000 corporate employees and places over 100,000 associates in jobs each year. The company is recognized as one of the 15 largest industrial staffing firms in the United States and is scheduled to reach $1 billion in sales by 2015.

The Elwoods will provide an overview of how Elwood Staffing started and grew to be the successful company it is today.

“This is a third in a series of networking opportunities that bring the business, entrepreneurial and university communities together to meet, share ideas, network and help each other become successful,” explained Knudson.

Frey said, “The chamber is working to create a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem where new ventures can find champions, capital and a supportive environment that enables them to thrive.” She added, “Working alongside the Center for Business and Economic Development, we hope to expand the support available for start-ups and young ventures in our community.”

To register online, go to columbusarea.chambermaster.com/events. Contact Kami Adams at kadams@columbusareachamber.com for registration questions.

For information about the Dec. 11 and future SPARK Columbus networking events, contact Greg Knudson at 812.348.7301 or gknudson@iupuc.edu or Cindy Frey at 812.379.4457 or cfrey@columbusareachamber.com .