Six Ways You Can Be Involved in #GES2015Kenya

July 23, 2015

The 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, onJuly 25-26. It will be the sixth annual gathering, which will convene more than 1,000 entrepreneurs at all stages of business development, business leaders, mentors, and high-level government officials.

Can’t go to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Kenya? We’ve got you covered. As we prepare for the sixth annual GES, here are six ways you can be involved and participate in the conversation from anywhere in the world:

1. Watch live events online at GES2015.org and on Periscope.

Many of the sessions will be streamed live online or will be available for on-demand viewing after they conclude. President Barack Obama will address the Summit.  Other speakers will include singer and philanthropist Akon and the recently announced 2015 Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship.  Go to www.GES2015.org for the schedule of events.

Also, follow @StateDeptLive and others on Periscope to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Summit and engage with U.S. government participants, entrepreneurs, and investors.

2. Follow #GES2015Kenya and #GES2015.

Follow #GES2015Kenya and #GES2015 on Facebook and Twitter to join the conversation with those in Nairobi.  On Twitter, follow @GES2015Kenya, @WhiteHouse, @StateDept, @CommerceGov, @USEmbassyKenya, @EconEngage, @Stengel, and @AmbCathyRussell for event coverage and the latest highlights.

On Facebook, like the GES2015Kenya and ShareAmerica Facebook pages, where you will find information about the Summit and great stories about the journeys of successful entrepreneurs.  Also watch for coverage and updates from the White House, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Commerce on the United States’ support --through many initiatives and programs -- for entrepreneurs around the world.

3. View and share photos from the event.

The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi will be publishing photos to their Flickr pages.  Check these accounts out for behind-the-scenes coverage of GES!

4. Join a Facebook Chat on youth and entrepreneurship.

Women and youth entrepreneurs are a significant source of economic growth globally, yet they often face additional barriers in accessing services and resources to start and grow businesses.   That is why this year’s GES kicks off with a day dedicated to women and youth entrepreneurs. To address some of these issues, U.S. Special Advisor for Global Youth Issues Andy Rabens will answer your questions during a Facebook chat on July 23, 2015 at 2:00 PM UTC/10:00 AM EDT.Submit your questions now, and join the conversation on Thursday!

5. Connect with the 2015 Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE).

President Obama launched and established PAGE in April 2014, and the initiative is chaired by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker.   As part of their commitment to entrepreneurship, PAGE members develop Signature Entrepreneurship Initiatives designed to inspire entrepreneurs, expand networks and global exposure of existing entrepreneurs, or increase deal-flow between investors and entrepreneurs.  They also participate in public events – like GES - and lend their voices and platforms to connect with entrepreneurs at home and abroad.

The following PAGE members will join Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker in Kenya:

Steve Case, Chairman and CEO, Revolution, LLC
Brian Chesky, Co-Founder and CEO, Airbnb
Julie Hanna, Executive Chair of the Board, Kiva
Daymond John, Founder, FUBU and CEO, Shark Branding

6. Follow the 2015 GIST Tech-I Competition. 

You voted for your favorite finalists in the GIST Tech-I Competition, and they will head to GES 2015 where they will receive two days of intensive training in areas such as team building, go-to-market strategies, and financing.  This year’s 30 finalists represent 23 countries -- from Albania to Chile to Botswana. You can follow your favorite finalists, GIST, and Tech-I related activities at www.gistnetwork.org, and by following #StartTheSpark on social media.

Now, if you are attending GES in person, please share your insights!  Here’s how you can do so:

• Download the ‘GES 2015’ App for attendees. It is available in the apple store and the google play store to registered attendees and speakers.  Using the app, participants can engage one another, share photos, and have easy access to the conference agenda and other information.
• Tweet quotes and information from the various sessions you attend, and use hashtag #GES2015Kenya for remote audience followers.
• Solicit questions from remote followers, and pitch their questions to presenters.
• Share photos and videos to Instagram using #GES2015Kenya.

Although GES represents an incredible opportunity to bring together entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and a broad range of other actors, the conversation and effort surrounding global entrepreneurship is an ongoing one.

Creating connections that will help entrepreneurs succeed is important, and the State Department is working to promote entrepreneurship programs, such as new angel investment networks, delegations, and mentoring collaborations.  Visit www.state.gov/e, like the State Department’s Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Facebook page, and follow @EconEngage to find out more.

About the Author: Ashli Savoy serves as Managing Editor of DipNote. She is on detail to support the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Kenya

 This blog originally appeared on DipNote, the U.S. Department of State's Official blog.