<a href="http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/az-ent-logo.jpg"><img style="border-width:0;margin:5px;" src="http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/az-ent-logo_thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="AZ Ent logo" width="212" height="244" align="right" /></a>How did it get to be NOVEMBER already!  It seems like just the other day I was writing articles about Embracing Change in 2009 and now, in just two short months, 2009 will be one for the record books. 

It's still to be written what the final outcome of the health care debates in Congress will be, or how the year will wrap up from an economic perspective, but many will tell you they can't wait for 2010 to make its arrival.

But there have been some bright spots in this recession that we have all struggled through.  Companies that are making great things happen in the world of social media, women's health, green materials, and a host of other industries.  That's why, as I prepare for the exciting things that I know will happen in 2010, I am getting ready today by attending the <a href="http://azec09.com">4th Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a> on November 12th. 

As chairman of the board of <a href="http://azentrepreneurship.com/otef">OTEF</a>, the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation, November is always a busy time as we prepare for the conference.  Each year's conference is vitally important since all of the proceeds go to fund OTEF's efforts to provide entrepreneurial training and support to at-risk populations - giving them a better chance for future financial sustainability.

But, as an entrepreneur, I look forward to the conference for the many great ideas I know I will receive there each year.  This is the only place I know where, in one day, I can gain insights from national thought leaders like Tara Hunt and Michelle Robson (<a href="http://www.empowher.com">EmpowHer</a>) , connect with fellow CEOs from TiE and EO to learn what's working for them, and get the latest updates in technology and business trends from CEOs and thought leaders who are on the front lines.

I'm also excited this year that we have friends coming from far and near to share ideas.  Patti Dragland (@<a href="http://twitter.com/StrategicSense">StrategicSense</a>) is coming in from Calgary, Tara Hunt (@<a href="http://twitter.com/missrogue">MissRogue</a>), author of The Whuffie Factor,  from Montreal, Howard Lindzon (founder of StockTwits), <a href="http://www.seriousmaterials.com/html/executives.html">Kevin Surace</a>, of Serious Materials, is flying in from Sunnyvale, and my favorite entrepreneurial blogger, Marty Willing (@<a href="http://twitter.com/StartUpPro">StartUpPro</a>), will be there not to mention fellow conference team members and great friends like  Francine Hardaway (@<a href="http://twitter.com/hardaway">Hardaway</a>), Steven Groves (@<a href="http://twitter.com/StevenGroves">StevenGroves</a>), Ed Nusbaum (@<a href="http://twitter.com/edaz">EdAZ</a>), Merlin Ward (@<a href="http://twitter.com/merlinward">MerlinWard</a>) and many more!

November 12th is an important day for gathering new ideas, making connections, and to just get that extra dose of inspiration that will come in real handy in 2010.  I know where I will be on November 12th.  How about you?

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...
<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker
<div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f9144d40-786d-4d66-a735-fe53d276d59d" class="wlWriterSmartContent" style="display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;">Technorati Tags: <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC09">AZEC09</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/Francine%20Hardaway">Francine Hardaway</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/Steven%20Groves">Steven Groves</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/Merlin%20Ward">Merlin Ward</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tara%20Hunt">Tara Hunt</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/Michelle%20Robson">Michelle Robson</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/EmpowHer">EmpowHer</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/Kevin%20Surace">Kevin Surace</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/Serious%20Materials">Serious Materials</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/Thw%20Whuffie%20Factor">The Whuffie Factor</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/Getting%20ready%20for%202010">Getting ready for 2010</a>,<a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bright%20Spots%20inthe%20recession">Bright Spots inthe recession</a></div></blockquote>