February 15, 2017

From January 19 - 22, Drexel University's Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship had the honor of hosting the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship's (USASBE) annual conference. The USASBE is the largest independent, professional, academic organization in the world dedicated to advancing and fostering entrepreneurship. The annual conference is hosted in different cities each year and this year, for the first time, it was Philadelphia's turn for the honor.

The prominent conference was attracted to Philadelphia to be among the city's ever-evolving entrepreneurship community. Philadelphia, aptly nicknamed the "City of Firsts", has encouraged creativity and entrepreneurship since its beginning. The conference's presence in Philadelphia was so influential that Mayor Kenney proclaimed January 19, 2017 as Entrepreneurship Education Day.

Photography by Argyle Interactive and Roberts Event Group

As home of the first degree-granting school of entrepreneurship in the country, the Close School was heavily-involved in preparing for this event. The school wanted to welcome the USASBE conference in unique style, so attendees arrived to the conference and were greeted by spinning plates, acrobatics, and jugglers. Of course, these are not things typically seen at business conferences, but the Close School and Roberts Event Group wanted to create show-stopping event for Philadelphia’s resident starters and visiting entrepreneurs.

Photography by Argyle Interactive and Roberts Event Group

Speakers, company booths, and networking professionals flooded the Loews Hotel during the three-day conference. People from across the country and the world, gathered to learn more about business development from like-minded individuals. This personified the spirit of USASBE and the City of Philadelphia's views of entrepreneurship.

We look forward to next year's USASBE!

Sarah Temple, Communications, Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship