2019 Conference Information 

Each year, CEO hosts an informative, action packed global conference that attracts nearly 1,000 collegiate students from around the World. During the three-day conference, attendees network with other entrepreneurial-minded students and listen to presentations from seasoned entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, motivational speakers and fellow students who are making the transition from dreamers to doers.

One of the highlights of the conference is the CEO Global Pitch Competition. Preliminary rounds of the competition take place each day of the conference with the winners being announced at an awards ceremony on the conference’s final day. Over the years, thousands of students have participated in this highly competitive competition that showcases new and innovative business concepts from some of the best and brightest entrepreneurially minded students in the United States. 

The conference also features chapter development programming in which CEO leaders participate in peer conversations regarding ways to successfully operate an entrepreneurship club, host a pitch competition or support students on their campus. Students should apply for chapter/individual awards that will help to fund on campus operations or their ventures.  Students can also exhibit their businesses to early stage investors that attend the global event. Suggested attire is business professional, and you might want to bring some business cards! 

Chapter Award Winners: 

Outstanding CEO Chapter Leader - 1st $300, 2nd $200 Cash Award

An outstanding chapter leader exhibits a sense of undeniable guidance; they provide vision and direction for their CEO Chapter and exhibit a great level of charismatic and outstanding characteristics that create the best chapter leader in our CEO network. 

1st place: East Carolina University - Brady Hillhouse

2nd place: Canisius College - Nathan Waley 

Outstanding CEO Chapter Advisor - 1st $300, 2nd $200 Cash Award

An outstanding CEO Chapter Advisor attends all the club meetings, provides guidance to chapter leadership, helps CEO clubs navigate university policies and politics and provides a concrete continuity when student leadership transitions.  CEO does not exist without it’s dynamic Faculty Advisors.  

1st place: University of North Carolina, Greensboro - Dianne Welsh

2nd place: University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee - Jim Hunter

Global Chapter of the Year - $600 Cash Award

The global chapter of the year award is presented to a CEO Club that has demonstrated excellence in developing its organization, its leaders and offering a comprehensive and meaningful entrepreneurship experience for CEO members. 

1st place: University of Michigan Flint 

Outstanding Marketing and/or Social Media Award - 1st $300, 2nd $200 Cash Award

Recognizing that with any business, customers don’t just arrive on your door step or visit your website--CEO acknowledges its chapters that partake in outstanding Marketing and or Social Media efforts. Social Media or Marketing helps elevate our global brand, increases membership and creates a unique call to action for campus leaders to demonstrate the importance of supporting collegiate level entrepreneurs.

1st place: Bryant University

2nd place: University of North Carolina, Greensboro 

Best Cross Campus Innovation & Networking Award - 1st $200, 2nd $100 Cash Award

Entrepreneurship is everywhere. It’s in our minds, our soul, its taught, it’s studied and it’s not JUST business.  Our next award identifies CEO Chapters that are not only impacting business majors, but expanding well beyond the college of business and interacting, organizing and engaging other colleges or programs. We’ve all heard this statement before… It’s not about who you know, it’s about who knows you.  Networking, electronically or in person, will create great long-term resources for the professional success of your CEO members. 

1st place: University of North Carolina, Greensboro 

2nd place: University of Central Florida

Outstanding Chapter Revenue Generating Initiative - 1st $200, 2nd $100 Cash Award

Fundraising is a tricky task… Navigating your development office, launching a chapter business and partnering with your student government association.  All that said, it is critical to take action in this regard – without fund’s it is difficult to run programs, host events and overall operate your chapter.  CEO recognizes its chapters that generate revenues by launching a business or fundraising initiative.  

1st place: Canisius College

2nd place: University of Nebraska, Omaha 

Collegiate Entrepreneur of the Year - $600 Cash Award 

When warranted, a $600 cash prize will be awarded to a current student, an active CEO member and one that is actively running a business with sales and revenues at the time of submission. This award helps to recognize the hard work and dedication that goes into launching a new venture while in college. 

Grayson Burgess - Comic Sandwiches - Iowa State University 

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Pitch Competition Winners:

    

First place: $5,000 Caitie Gehlhausen - Socket Lock-It High Point University 

Second place: $3,500 Jonathan Truong - Verapy The University of Tampa

Third place: $2,000 Grayson Burgess - Comic Sandwiches Iowa State University

2019 Conference Program 

2019 Conference Photos