CNBC and Inc. magazine have joined forces to produce The 2015 iCONIC Tour, a three-part conference series focused on entrepreneurship and small business set to kick-off in Chicago on May 19. Some of the country’s most influential and admired entrepreneurs, disrupters, and business leaders are taking part in the event.
Marcus Lemonis, star of CNBC’s prime time reality show,” The Profit,” and Mark Cuban from “Shark Tank” are among the mega-entrepreneurs ready to share their insight and inspiration. Other notable participants include Neil Blumenthal, co-founder of Warby Parker, and Elizabeth Cutler, co-founder of SoulCycle.
Tyler Mathisen, co-anchor of CNBC’s “Power Lunch” and “Nightly Business Report,” and Eric Schurenberg, president and editor-in-chief at Inc. will co-host the event to be held at the Chicago Theatre. Scheduled panel discussions include topics such as Entrepreneurial Ecosystems; Brands You F**king Love; and Chicago’s All-Star Innovators.
“We want to reach people who are in one of the most vibrant sectors of the economy – the entrepreneurial sector,” said Mathisen. “CNBC and Inc. magazine, which is the premier editorial property that chronicles the small business world, believe that there is an opportunity to provide actionable how-to advice to entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs. Running your own business is increasingly appealing to millennials, and it is also appealing to baby boomers who are considering a second career, or perhaps they are doing it out of desire, or out of necessity because the long-term corporate job isn’t as secure as it used to be.”
During his “Power Lunch” program on CNBC, Mathisen expects to interview some of the conference participants including actress Marlo Thomas, author of “It Ain't Over…Till It's Over: Reinventing Your Life – and Realizing Your Dreams – Anytime, at Any Age.”
CNBC reporter, Kate Rogers, will also report live from the conference during the network’s Business Day programming. She and her team have been preparing for the event over the past few months by producing online videos and articles focusing on entrepreneurs from the Chicago area who have created unique startups. These innovators include 640 Labs who designed technology that connects farmers to cloud computing; Moxie Jean who resells gently used children’s and maternity clothing online; and SpotHero, a company started by young entrepreneurs who were tired of paying for parking tickets so they created an app that allows people to buy parking spots in advance.
According to Rogers, CNBC and Inc. have been working on making The iCONIC Tour a reality for some time and there is a lot of excitement surrounding the Chicago debut. “The point is to connect successful and inspirational entrepreneurs with people who aspire to be doing the same thing. It is going to be very valuable for anyone who is in attendance whether you are starting a business, you have a business right now, or you are looking to take your business to the next level,” she said.
The 2015 iCONIC Tour continues June 23 in Los Angeles, and the final event is November 11 in Washington, DC.
