WHAT IS EPEF?

The Eastern Panhandle Entrepreneurs Forum (EPEF) is a non-profit organization comprised of individuals from within the business and technical community to promote the formation and growth of innovative new businesses. The EPEF is a chapter of the West Virginia Entrepreneurs Forum at West Virginia University. The Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan County Economic Development Authorities direct and organize the group along with a steering committee of members from the SBDC, Interpak Web, TechMethods, and the Hawthorne Group. The EPEF is based on the premise that the future economic vitality of our region must come from the emergence of new businesses through entrepreneurship. In order for this to occur, there must be an entrepreneurial culture, a pool of resources to draw from, and successful models to follow. We would like to invite YOU to join us at our monthly EPEF meetings. The EPEF is free and open to anyone who is interested in improving their own business and the overall business climate in the Eastern Panhandle. The Meeting: Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month. Networking hour with refreshments starting at 5:30pm, Program begins at 6:30pm 10 FREE display tables of local businesses each month reserved on a first come basis. THE EXTRAS: Yearly sponsorships are available for October 2007 – September 2008 Brand new EPEF business directory NOTICES OF MEETINGS AND EXTRA INFORMATION CAN BE SENT TO YOU DIRECTLY THROUGH EMAIL!! The mission of the EPEF is to help businesses in our area thrive by connecting owners with state and county officials, investors, industry experts, and business service providers during the networking hour. Our monthly programs provide entrepreneurs with free information to help them stay successful. *Past programs have included: Advertising Media, Product Development, Trademarks, and Legal Entities, Educational Opportunities for Working Adults, Pros and Cons of Online Business, The Importance of Effective Signage, Finding your Niche, Tax Issues, Risk Management, Setting up a Nonprofit, Benefits of Belonging to the Chamber, Family Owned and Operated Businesses, etc. Current Sponsors Bank of Charles Town  |  Biztech |  The Carl M. Freeman Companies |  Cell-Page Communications |  CNB Bank, Inc. |  The Gateway New Economy Council |  The Hawthorne Group |  interPak Internet Solutions |  RCAC, Inc. |  SBDC |  Specialized Engineering |  SPARC |  Susquehanna Bank |  Triad Engineering |  United Bank |  Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce |  Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce |  Morgan County Chamber of Commerce |  Berkeley County Development Authority |  Jefferson County Development Authority |  Morgan County Economic Development Authority |  Steptoe & Johnson For more information, please write to info@jcda.net or call Whitney Burch at 304-728-3255.