This forum, hosted on October 14, 2009 in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, examined the importance of entrepreneurship to the economy, challenges that small businesses face in the current recession and strategies and tools that organizations are using to support and grow entrepreneurship.

Dozens of economic development practitioners participated in our forum—from economic development and community development organizations to chambers of commerce, cities, universities, banks and credit unions, microenterprise service providers, investment groups and small business development centers.

• National/State
  Learn about the activities of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Small Business Administration, the Aspen Institute and the University of Texas System.
• Dallas, Houston and San Antonio
  Hear local experts explain the effects of economic trends on their clients, resources available to local entrepreneurs and public policies that can support entrepreneurship.

Select the tabs at the top of this page to watch the videos.

About the Speakers and Moderators

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Speakers provide insights on the importance of entrepreneurship to the economy, challenges that small businesses face in the current recession and strategies and tools that organizations are using to support and grow entrepreneurship.

Robert E. Litan Vice President Research and Policy, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Bio	Elaine Edgcomb Director FIELD, Aspen Institute Bio	Penny K. Pickett Associate Administrator Entrepreneurial Development, U. S. Small Business Administration Bio	Cathy Swain Assistant Vice Chancellor Commercial Development, Office of Research and Technology Transfer, The University of Texas System Bio

Speakers provide insights on how economic trends are affecting local entrepreneurs, resources available for local entrepreneurs and public policies that can support entrepreneurship.

Karl Zavitkovsky Moderator Director Economic Development, City of Dallas Bio	Cynthia L. Blankenship Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Bank of the West Bio	Theresa Acosta Lee Vice President and Chief Lending Officer Texas Mezzanine Fund, Inc. Bio	Gary L. Lindner Chief Operating Officer ACCION Texas Bio

Speakers provide insights on how economic trends are affecting local entrepreneurs, resources available for local entrepreneurs and public policies that can support entrepreneurship.

Richard A. Huebner Moderator President National Minority Supplier Development Council, Houston Affiliate Bio	Bridget Ross Loan Officer ACCION Texas Bio	Winston Labbé Vice President Amegy Bank Bio	Marlon D. Mitchell Executive Director Houston Business Development, Inc. Bio	Jacqueline Taylor Associate Region Director University of Houston Small Business Development Center Network Bio

Speakers provide insights on how economic trends are affecting local entrepreneurs, resources available for local entrepreneurs and public policies that can support entrepreneurship.

Blake Hastings Moderator Vice President in Charge Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio Branch Bio	Annie Uribe Turner Vice President and Business Banking Manager Wells Fargo Bank Bio	Margo Weisz Executive Director PeopleFund Bio	Sandra Zayas Corporate Trainer/Loan Officer ACCION Texas Bio