Pitch It!

DAYTON - Middle school and high school students in the Dayton School District will have an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship, and to learn ways to apply the knowledge they gain during Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nov. 14 - 18.

On Nov. 15, Bret Spooner, a managing partner of Gravis Law, PLLC, and self- described serial entrepreneur, will present all aspects of entrepreneurship to the middle and high school students.

According to Port of Columbia Economic Development Manager Brad McMasters, Joe Jacobs, Regional Director of the Washington Small Business Development Center will follow that with a presentation about “Pitch It!,” which is a regional business plan competition that will take place for Dayton students in 2017.

The competition challenges students to design and develop innovative business concepts, create a realistic business model for their idea, and pitch their ideas to judges. They will do that at a preliminary competition at Walla Walla Community College in February, 2017, McMasters said.

The final competitions will take place at the GESA Powerhouse Theater the following month.

McMasters said he participated in the judging at a preliminary Pitch It! competition last year, and was highly impressed with the opportunities the competition offered to participating students.

“The Port of Columbia has chosen to help sponsor this year’s competition in return for allowing Columbia County students to participate,” McMasters said.

McMasters said the Port will work with Bob Cummings, FBLA instructor at Dayton High School, to encourage students and offer resources. The Port will also help with transportation to the workshops, he said.

McMasters said that Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups, bring ideas to life, drive economic growth, and expand human welfare.

“In 2015, Washington State offered more than 200 events in 39 counties, and 2016 promises to be even bigger, as communities throughout the state recognize the power of entrepreneurship, from elementary school age to senior citizens,” McMaster said.

Pitch It! is a collaborative effort between the Small Business Development Center, Walla Walla Community College, Whitman College, Walla Walla University and the Port of Columbia Count.y.