About the Conference

Pre-Conference Information

Attendee Information – Important!
Now that your travel plans are set, we are asking you to fill out an online form regarding your schedule, attendance at events, special needs, and so forth – it  should take you less than 2 minutes to complete. Your response is essential --the information will help us to facilitate your visit and ensure a great conference experience.  Please take a few minutes to complete the form.

University Compendium and Information
Also, if you have not yet completed your University Compendium please take the time to do so – this year it is located in an online wiki to create an ongoing artifact of the conference.  In addition to the compendium, you are also welcome to bring materials on your program to the conference to put out for others to collect.  There will be a table for this on Saturday in McClelland Hall.

Technology Access
Feel free to bring your laptop or hand held. Wireless access will be available and it will allow you the opportunity to interact with the technology solutions during the conference.

Travel Information

• Information on transportation options to and from the airport is available on the Tucson Airport website under Ground Transportation – look to the left sidebar.
• The dress for the conference sessions is business casual. Tucson can still be quite warm in early October during the day, and cools considerably at night. We will be walking between event sites, so please wear comfortable shoes, and bring a sweater or layer to wear in the air conditioning and for the cool desert evenings. The dress for the Awards dinner is a step up from business casual – dress for going out to a nice dinner.
• Do you like Motown? If so there is a concert on campus that might interest you – A Motown Celebration: Mary Wilson of the Supremes and the Funk Brothers will be performing on Friday October 3rd at 8pm, just a short walk from the conference dinner.  Tickets are available online or via phone.

Conference Schedule and Map

This schedule is subject to updates and improvements, but gives you a good idea of the timeline and structure for the conference. Session titles are currently included,  with the session descriptions and panelist information coming soon.

FINAL Conference Schedule

GCEC 2008 Locations Map

Conference Focus

University entrepreneurship is growing and changing –by leaps and bounds. As the knowledge economy evolves at a rapid pace, both the field of opportunity and demand for the application of entrepreneurial principles also grows and evolves, which demands quick and sophisticated responses. The opportunities and demands on entrepreneurship centers is –beyond imagination.

The 2008 GCEC conference will focus on harnessing these new areas and means of opportunity for university entrepreneurship centers as they fulfill their unique role in the academic and business communities.

Whether your center is one of the original pioneers in university entrepreneurship, or one of the emerging lions in this dynamic industry, you have something to gain and something to contribute. Please join us in Tucson, Arizona in October 2008 and Just Imagine where we can go together.

The McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship

The University of Arizona is home to the widely recognized McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, and host to the 2008 conference of the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers. The McGuire Center is one of the oldest centers for entrepreneurship in the country and has a national and international reputation for innovative leadership in the field of entrepreneurship education.

For Information about Sessions and Topics, please contact Tracy Mistry at tmistry@eller.arizona.edu