The MBET Experience

The University of Waterloo – Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Program

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Gala Opening of Entrepreneur Week

September 30th, 2006 · No Comments

Tonight I was very fortunate to attend the Gala Opening of Entrepreneur Week at Bingeman’s in Kitchener. Entrepreneur Week is “North America’s Largest Innovation Festival Dedicated to Entrepreneurial Spirit”. Through CBET, a number of tickets were made available to students in the class for tonight’s opening gala, and I was one of the lucky recipients!

While I was lucky to have my name drawn, I didn’t get a lot of notice! I got a frantic message from one of my classmates saying “Dan, you have a ticket – call CBET” at 3pm this afternoon – two hours before the gala!! I managed to get home in time and into a suit to make it just before dinner.

Our tickets were sponsored by Deloitte, and a few of us MBET’ers sat down for dinner with a couple partners from the Kitchener-Waterloo office. Dinner conversation was good, and I got to work on my networking skills. I have to keep telling myself to put the effort, it’s not something that comes naturally to me. I was very impressed with a couple of my classmates – they always seem to have something to say to people. It is great to watch and I am trying to learn all that I can!!

The keynote speakers, and recipients of the Visionary Award from the Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, were Heather Reisman, President and CEO of Indigo Books, and her husband, Gerald Schwartz, CEO of ONEX. What a power couple!! Both were very inspiring – it is amazing to hear their stories and their experience! I always come away from these events wanting to accomplish something great!!

It was a good evening, and most of the MBET students that attended had a great time. I also met a few interesting people, so my networking may be improvinig!! 🙂 Right now, it’s late, and it’s time for bed…

Until next time…

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