CEO Plans New "Experience" for 2017

(SOME OF THE C-E-O STUDENTS SPOKE AT WEDNESDAY'S NOON ROTARY CLUB MEETING TO PROMOTE THE "EXPERIENCE"; FROM LEFT, ROTARY WEEKLY PROGRAM CHAIRMAN KAYE DENT AND C-E-O STUDENTS CHRISTA SCHWINKE, EVAN KUHL, RIYA SHAH, DONOVAN HAMMER AND DUSTIN GURLEY)

The 2017 CEO Experience promises help in growing yourself, your business and your community.

This year's Experience will be held in a new venue, the Effingham Performance Center. The event will be held Wednesday, February 8. 

Registration will run from 11:30am-12:45pm and you can enjoy a masterpiece to be created by local artist Jamie Stang during the signup. The day will conclude just after 5pm.

Two keynote speakers are anchoring this year's Experience. Chris Koch was born without arms or legs. His family never let that be an excuse for lack of success, though, and he has thrived. Koch had success as an athlete growing up and now operates a farm. He said, "I absolutely love sharing my story and spreading my message of 'If I can'. I have not let limitations or obstacles in my life stand in the way of achieving my goals and dreams and I encourage others to do the same."

Lewis Howes is a New York Times bestselling author of the book, "The School of Greatness". He is a lifestyle entrepreneur and high performance business coach. He's a former pro football player and two-sport All-American. Howes hosts a Top 100 iTunes ranked podcast, "The School of Greatness", and was recognized by President Obama as one of the Top 100 entrepreneurs in the country under 30. He's been featured in many national publications and media.

Sandwiched between the keynote speakers will be a presentation by local entrepreneur Jack Schultz and Interim Executive Director Cheryl Mitchell of the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship. Schultz is a longtime local and global businessman, author, and speaker who was one of the founders of CEO, while Mitchell is working to travel throughout the nation to share how CEO can benefit students and communities.

A networking time will immediately follow Howes' presentation as well as a "Taste of Effingham County" featuring food items from Joe's Pizza and Pasta, Old Mac's Drive Thru, Holli's Flour Shop, Open Door Diner and Firefly Grill.

You'll also have time to visit a CEO Alumni Trade Show, featuring five businesses that were started by and are being operated by CEO alums.

CEO has extended the Early Bird deadline to register through January 23. You'll save $10 off the at-the-door registration price. The Early Bird price is $25 for students and $60 for adults.

You can register online at CEOExperience2017.eventbrite.com.