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Last Updated June 05, 2003
Conference to Explore Entrepreneurs and Community Businesses
The Tompkins Institute at Cape Breton University, in partnership with New Dawn Enterprises. is planning an international conference on the theme “Entrepreneurs and Community Business.”. The conference will be June 26-28, 2003. The conference is expected to attract participants from across Canada, the United States, Spain, Mexico, and the UK. Speakers include Ray Hudson from Durham University in England, Colin Mason from the University of Glasgow in Scotland, Mikel Lezamiz from Mondragon, Spain and Darryl Reed from York University in Toronto.
 The conference planning committee has been working long hours to finalize plans. L-R seated Tammy MacNeil, Masters student, Denis Cassivi, New Dawn, Peter Fritz, conference co-ordinator, Tompkins Institute, back row, Owen Fitzgerald, MBA (CED) Student, and business students, Amanda Devison, and Danny Pastuck.
Overview
The Tompkins Institute of the Cape Breton University and New Dawn Enterprises, cordially invites you to participate in its 4th Annual Festival of Community Economics entitled, "Entrepreneurs and Community Business,” being hosted by the Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, June 26-28, 2003.
This year's theme, "Entrepreneurs and Community Business," will identify and explore opportunities within the knowledge-based-economy for depleted, non-metropolitan communities. The relationship between business and community development is often thought of as a dichotomy; however, we wish to explore the interface that connects the two.
We hope to learn about the successes and challenges of entrepreneurial ventures sponsored by community groups in economically depleted communities. This event is sponsored in part by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
The Tompkins Institute is involved in action research, with its broad mandate focused on community economic development and the knowledge-based economy. Action research is experimental, yet its goal is to realize practical outcomes. The challenge is to find ways of engaging the knowledge-based economy in a depleted rural community like Cape Breton. Through the support of SSHRC, the Tompkins Institute engages young entrepreneurial MBA students in research, business planning and analysis.
The Tompkins Institute seeks to go beyond storytelling, motivation or analysis in community economic development, and works to put theory into practice to encourage economic growth and development in the community. In order to succeed, alternative resources must be found; this resource is usually the people who live in the depleted community, and who are dedicated to rejuvenating the place where they live.
Depleted rural communities seem to be abandoned by capitalism. Does this mean there are no economic opportunities in these communities? Are there alternative models that could work? Depleted communities can learn and put to practice the kind of skills that we find in entrepreneurs and successfully apply them to community businesses. It is possible to learn and apply these business skills to accomplish goals that benefit the community, not just individuals.
Those that study and work in CED often speak of the importance of leadership. One goal of this conference is to examine leaders who are entrepreneurs. Most entrepreneurs are leaders, but a leader is often not an entrepreneur. We want to study how these people channel their strengths and find the skills to build a strong economy in their community.
We will explore the transfer of theoretical knowledge related to entrepreneurship into the context of community businesses in depleted, non-metropolitan areas. We are seeking that point of fusion between entrepreneurial execution and community need. Can the two meet?
We are planning a rich forum of discussion and debate and are committed to enhancing community development by linking community businesses with the Entrepreneur. We seek your insight into community business in depleted communities.
The “hands-on” event will feature regional, national and international practitioners as well as academics who will share their experiences and lessons learned. A unique CED project will evolve from this event.
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