JPEC Events and Lectures
The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at The University of Iowa sponsors several programs each year designed to bring successful entrepreneurs and business leaders to campus to discuss current issues facing start-up and growing companies. These events also provide outstanding networking opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners, investors, and students.
John R. Hughes Lecture Series
The program is cosponsored by Hills Bank and Trust Company and is named for the late John R. Hughes, former president of the bank, who was instrumental in helping the company grow throughout the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area.
Past speakers have included:
- Garry Smith, President, American Pop Corn Company (JOLLY TIME) / Listen
- Mary Vermeer Andringa, President and CEO, Vermeer Corporation
- David Kohl, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech
- Charlie Wheelan, Author, Naked Economics
- Rachel Stauffer Winder, Deal Executive and Client Management Partner, Cybus Capital Markets
- Randy Easton, Owner & President, Easton Enterprises, LLC
- Richard Schwab, Angel Investor
- Michael Whalen, President & CEO, Heart of America Restaurants & Inns
- John Pappajohn, Equity Dynamics Inc., & B.J. Do, ABC Virtual Communications / Listen
- Joe Crookham, President & Principal Owner, Musco Sports Lighting
- Michael Whalen, President and CEO, Heart of America Restaurants & Inns
Sandage Entrepreneurial Speaker Series
This program is cosponsored by the Sandage Charitable Trust, which was established by Charles and Elizabeth Sandage to support programs with an emphasis on free enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Past speakers have included:
- Scott Bush, Founder and President, Templeton Rye / Listen
- John Hall, Founder and CEO, Goose Island Beer Company / Listen
- Ted Waitt, Co-Founder, Gateway Inc. / Listen
- Bob Reed, President (retired), Data Comm International / Listen
- Megan Wettach, Premier Prom & Bridal Boutique and The Megan Amanda Collection; Brad Phillips, Premis Industries and Campus Access Magazine; and Ben Anderson and Carl Hirschman, X-Wires Communications / Listen
MidWestOne Community Lecture Series
This annual lecture series is cosponsored by MidWestOne and JPEC to promote entrepreneurship and economic development in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area.
Past speakers have included:
- "Running the World on Renewables" Panel Discussion. Joe Sulentic, UI Lecturer & Social Entrepreneur; Steve Cieslak, CEO of ACCIONA Windpower; Tim Dwight, Business Developer of iPower; Bill Leighty, Director of the Leighty Foundation / Listen
- Henry B. Tippie, CEO, President and Chairman of the Board, Tippie Services, Inc.
- Russell A. Gerdin, Founder & CEO, Heartland Express / Listen
- Joe Crookham, President, Musco Lighting
- Robert Dederick, President, RGD Economics / Listen
- Bruce Rastetter, CEO, Hawkeye Renewables / Listen
Seminars and Workshops
Throughout the year, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) sponsor and cosponsor a variety of programs, workshops, and conferences. These programs are specifically designed to meet the needs of Iowa entrepreneurs and small business owners. A partial listing of workshops offered over the past year is below.
- 1/2 Day Entrepreneurship Boot Camps
- Six-Week Start-up Training Program
To view our upcoming speaker series, visit our Calendar of Events.