NewBoCo to Take Over EntreFEST

Cedar Falls, Iowa — EntreFEST, the annual statewide gathering of entrepreneurs and business leaders, has a new home. The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative, Inc. (NewBoCo), out of Cedar Rapids, has reached an agreement with the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Business Growth and Innovation (CBGI) to assume responsibility of all aspects of this wildly popular event, effective immediately.

Since its start in 2007, EntreFEST has grown to represent the perfect convergence of activities, learning and the celebration of entrepreneurship within Iowa. The CBGI is proud to have been instrumental in helping to build this event. “Understanding that a successful event is grounded on the intimate involvement of the state’s entrepreneurial community, at this time, it makes sense to pass the torch to NewBoCo and we are thrilled that they will provide the leadership necessary to continue the tradition that has made EntreFEST the premier entrepreneurial event in the Midwest,” says Paul Kinghorn, Director of CBGI.

CBGI learned throughout the years that in order to have a successful event, it needed to be guided by entrepreneurs making NewBoCo the ideal organization to continue the event. “Along with our many partners including the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, the Iowa Farm Bureau’s Renew Rural Iowa program, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the numerous additional sponsors that in the past have made the event such a success, we thank the leadership team at NewBoCo and wish them continued success well into the future,” continues Kinghorn.

NewBoCo Executive Director, Eric Engelmann, shares this enthusiasm. “We’re excited to bring EntreFEST back in 2017, as Iowa’s leading entrepreneurship conference. EntreFEST is critically important to our state and has changed the lives of many entrepreneurs. It’s all about connections: bringing together entrepreneurs, corporate innovators and thought leaders, a two-day conference can help Iowa’s entrepreneurs get connected to new ideas and new people quickly and effectively.”

EntreFEST was last held in Iowa City in May 2015 with about 1,000 attendees participating throughout three days of workshops, presentations and networking events.