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The 23rd Annual Heartland Conference was a huge success! We had approximately 150 participants attend this conference, including students from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Concordia University in Seward, and Southeast Community College in Lincoln campuses, as well as an impressive contingent from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The evaluations from business professionals, as well as students, averaged 4.3 on a 5 point scale. As always, the students raved about the opportunity to be in learning situations with successful business professionals from across the state of Nebraska. In addition, many students were able to network and gain valuable business experience while attending. This conference was a great way for business leaders to be exposed to the exceptional quality of UNL students, as well as for UNL students to appreciate what it takes to be successful in the business world.
This conference would not have been possible without our sponsorships and community participation. The Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship would like to thank everyone who attended. We look forward to another successful conference in the near future!
Bradley K. Walker, President and CEO, Nanonation Incorporated
Bradley Walker is founder and CEO of Nanonation Incorporated, a Lincoln, Nebraska-based software developer and systems integrator for digital merchandising and consumer messaging in the retail, hospitality, entertainment, travel and financial services industries. Since starting the company in 2000, Mr. Walker has led Nanonation’s rise to prominence in the digital media industry, garnering the 2006 Retail Kiosk of the Year, 2006 Best of Show and the 2005 Industry Leader awards from KioskCom, the 2005 POPAI Digital Retailer of the Year Award for Mazda and the 2003 Kiosk of the Year Award from Kiosk Magazine for Burger King.
Bradley is a Lincoln native and attended Lincoln High and the University of Nebraska, where he represented the Huskers in the 1987 National Debate Tournament Final Four.
Glenn Friendt, Director, Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship
A serial entrepreneur, Glenn Friendt has led companies from start-up to market dominance. In 1975, he was one of the founding partners in Miller-Friendt-Ludemann, taking it from a start-up to become the largest Nebraska-based marketing agency at that time. In 1993, as Director of Marketing & Sales for HealthCare Communications, he accelerated its growth and profitability, making it attractive for purchase by WebMD.
From 1996 to 1999, he turned Unident from a struggling start-up into the third largest dental software company in the U.S. Due to his success, Unident was then acquired by InfoCure. As InfoCure’s Vice President of Business Development, Glenn directed the acquisition of five dental software firms, making his division the largest U.S. dental software operation. In 2001, this dental division became PracticeWorks, a publicly traded company with Glenn as Vice President for International. Under his leadership it became the second largest dental software operation in the world. Eastman Kodak acquired the company in 2003.
Juli Burney, Author and Humorist
Comedy Goddess Juli Burney, has won multiple awards as a teacher, humorist, and author. With the ease of a nationally recognized speaker, Juli is able to entertain while motivating and instructing. In order to develop training programs that STICK, Juli has been commissioned by a variety of associations; from Fortune 500 companies, to the National Endowment for the Arts. She has filmed for Showtime and HBO, along with making numerous guest appearances on radio and television programs. As one of Nebraska's Artists of the Year, her humor and effective use of communication skills will keep you laughing while you learn!
Robert Gordman, President, The Gordman Group
Robert Gordman is President of The Gordman Group, and the author of The Must-Have Customer -- 7 Steps to Winning the Customer You Haven't Got. During the past 16 years as a consultant, he has provided services to clients in many industries such as computer manufacturing and distribution, retail, direct marketing, weight loss, appliance manufacturing, advertising, trucking, and banking. For over 20 years he held executive management positions in various companies, including President of a regional mid-line department store chain.
He was President of Strategic Business Planning for Meridian, and spent five years as a Senior Consulting Partner for the Gallup Organization, specializing in strategic planning. Through experience, Bob has learned that successful companies use targeted research to discover who their Must-Have Customers are. He can help executives use this information to think creatively to develop well-thought-out, executable strategic plans for their Must-Have Customers.
For more information on Robert Gordman and his book, please visit http://www.gordmangroup.com/index.html.
Steve LeFever, Chairman and Founder, Business Resource Services
Steve LeFever, part comedian, part financial manager, former commercial banker, current entrepreneur -- and 100% world-class presenter. Steve drives home his message with a no-nonsense, laugh-out-loud approach that makes him the top-rated presenter at virtually every meeting he attends.
Driving financial discipline and initiating change in diverse types of organizations (distribution networks, trade associations or franchise groups to name a few) can be a big challenge –- and in this area, Steve LeFever can do it like no one else. The thousands who hear him speak every year applaud his distinct "tell it like it is" perspective on independent business, financial management, and commercial banking. But it's his interaction and connection with his audience that brings his message home.
For more information contact us at or (402) 472-3353.
