VOTE for MiniTrends Panel for SXSW Eco 2014 by May 16 – “Creating a Profitable & Purpose-Driven Business”

May 11, 2014

PLEASE take a moment to VOTE for MiniTrend’s panel submission for SXSW Eco Conference titled “Creating a Profitable and Purpose-Driven Business” at http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/29857 by May 16. 

The panel includes Carrie Vanston, VP, Communications, MiniTrends/TFI; Jeffrey Fry, Chief Executive, The Profit Prophet; Andre Angel, Founder/CEO, TangoTab; and Joy MillerMarketing and Outreach Coordinator, City of Austin Small Business Development Program..Short videos of each panelist can be found at http://vimeopro.com/tablerockers/sxsw-eco-conference.

A third of the decision is directly from votes! You do have to sign in, but it does not take long to vote. Please go to http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/29857 and VOTE NOW.

Thank you so much for supporting the creation and growth of purpose-based businesses and making a difference in the world! 

Oct. 2-3: MiniTrends 2013: The Integration of Profit & Social Responsibility

June 21, 2013

MiniTrends 2013 Conference: The Integration of Profit & Social Responsibility


Second Annual MiniTrends Conference

MiniTrends 2013: The Integration of Profit & Social Responsibility

October 2-3, Holiday Inn Town Lake, Austin, Texas

Discover, Profit, Do Good!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013
8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Reception 5:30 – 7:15 pm

You CAN be profitable and socially responsible. This event exposes that sweet spot where new and established businesses can find the tools and directional choices to profit and inspire themselves and their employees in whatever their line of business.

Join us in Austin, the place Forbes’ calls the “Best Big City for Jobs,” to listen and participate as all-star business leaders and forward thinkers reveal how to start new ventures and grow established organizations leveraging MiniTrends.

MiniTrends ConferenceBy understanding MiniTrends—emerging trends that will soon become important, but not yet widely recognized—you will discover effective ways to balance capitalism with complementary social values and philanthropy in your business.

Find out what future trends and convergences are on the horizon and, of equal importance, how you can find profitable emerging trends of your own integrated with socially responsible values.

Austin is an exciting, growing entrepreneurial hub that offers a culture built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and caring. What better place to find out how you, too, can develop a Minitrends Mindset!

You Should Attend if You are a Value-Driven:

  • Entrepreneur wishing to identify, assess, and exploit attractive new business opportunities
  • Decision Making Executive, Director, Manager, or in a Small or Mid-Size Business wanting to gain advantage by recognizing and utilizing emerging trends
  • Innovative Thinking Executive, Director, Manager, or Professional in a Larger Business aspiring to distinguish yourself by your special insights and perceptiveness
  • Investor interested in uncovering attractive new investment opportunities
  • Job Seeker wishing to define employment opportunities

What You will Gain:

  • MiniTrends Conference LuncheonA creative mind-set and resources for finding and taking advantage of emerging trends and opportunities relating to your own area of expertise and interest.
  • An understanding of how to integrate profit and socially responsible purpose and value in your business.
  • A preview of MiniTrends that thought leaders see developing.
  • Experience from innovative leaders sharing how they use emerging trends to start new ventures or grow established organizations for profit with attention to all stakeholders.
  • Tactics to identify untapped business opportunities from converging trends in the business and social arenas.
  • Interaction with speakers and fellow participants to learn, mix, and share ideas.
  • Strategy and insights to create or grow your organization and, in the process, find your bliss.
  • An opportunity to enjoy the Live Music Capital of the World!

What Attendees Say

Speakers:

Conference Chair: Dr. John H. VanstonChairman, Technology Futures, Inc.

MiniTrends 2012 Conference Chair - Dr. John H. Vanston, Chairman, Technology Futures, Inc.John founded TFI in 1978, building the Austin, Texas-based company into a leading authority in custom research and technology forecasting. His MiniTrends concept, designed to increase creativity, innovation, and success, is summarized in MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends. The book has received several Best Business Book awards and excellent reviews and endorsements.

Minitrends Seminar Director - Carrie Vanston, Media and Mkt. Dir., Technology Futures, Inc.Conference Director: Carrie VanstonMedia and Marketing Director, Technology Futures, Inc.
Carrie has many years of experience in public relations, marketing, and sales at TFI and in the entertainment industry. As co-author of MINITRENDS: How Entrepreneurs & Innovators Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trendsshe brings a distinct real-world quality to MiniTrends activities, particularly in the media communications and social media areas.

MiniTrends 2013 Conference Speaker - Andre Angel, Tango TabAndre AngelCo-founder/CEO at TangoTab; Co-Founder/Chairman, WorkMeter; Co-founder, Servoyant, LLC; Co-Founder/Chairman, CODEKKO Software
Based in Dallas, Andre is a serial entrepreneur with global experience. His latest venture, TangoTab, is a real-time, online social enterprise business that offers diners discounts at participating restaurants, and donates a meal to the community each time you use the service. “When you eat, they eat.” Prior to Tango Tab, he co-founded, grew and sold numerous high-tech companies including CODEKKO, Experticity, NTR, Elastic Edge, and WorkMeter. Earlier, he was Global Vice President of Sales at Nortel Networks.

MIniTrends 2013 Conference Speaker - Jeffrey Fry, Principal, Help Find CareJeffrey FryPrincipal, Help Find Care; Chief Executive, Profit Prophet; Director/CMO, MainGain; Board Member, baqpak; Executive Director, Firefly Funds; Executive Director, SHINE Night; President, SEDA RICO, LLC;
Jeffrey has launched a new type of in-home healthcare service that empowers healthcare service professionals to go into business for themselves while better connecting in-home healthcare needs. Riding the minitrend of baby boomer parents needing innovative ways to care for their parents, this model empowers all stakeholders and drives the cost of home healthcare down. Jeffrey also has been involved in several startups and plays roles in several civic programs.

MiniTrends 2013 Conference Advisory Board Member - Bijoy Goswami, Cofounder & Evangelist at ATX EquationBijoy GoswamiCofounder & Evangelist at ATX Equation, The Bootstrap, Aviri Consulting; Founder, Organizer, Bootstrap Network; CEO, Aviri Inc.
Bijoy Goswami deeply interested in how we steward unique journeys for individuals, organizations, communities and beyond. He sees our unique human capability of building mental models as a vital part of this endeavor. He loves building and sharing simple, yet powerful models, including MREyouPlusU and Bootstrap.

MiniTrends 2012 Conference - Christopher Justice, Chief Executive Officer at Sparksight, Inc.Christopher JusticeChief Executive Officer at Sparksight, Inc.; Founder, Justice Pest Services
Christopher co-founded Sparksight®  in 2006 and has built the company into a well-respected design agency that specializes in event management, high definition video production and digital marketing. Combining wisdom and humor with common sense, Chris is a master at building better businesses through a combination of face-to-face and online marketing techniques. Christopher is a conscious leader that works hard to have a company that benefits all involved.

Minitrends Expert Panelist Joy Miller, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator, City of Austin Small Business Development ProgramJoy MillerMarketing and Outreach Coordinator, City of Austin Small Business Development Program
Joy is a marketing and outreach professional with over 20 years of leadership experience in process improvement, human resources, and operations. She communicates with and counsels aspiring and existing small business owners in presentations and in personal communications to ensure understanding of City of Austin resources and assistance available to them.

MiniTrends 2013 Conference Advisory Board - Steve Pearson, Lead Strategist, Founder, Visionex Solutions, LLCSteve Pearson, Lead Strategist, Founder, Visionex Solutions, LLC
Steve’s passion is accelerating innovation and R&D by identifying emerging, adjacent and disruptive technologies. Companies ranging from Fortune 500s to small startups rely on Steve and his analysts to provide Competitive Intelligence, Innovation Support and Informed Strategic Development. He works with high-tech, electrical, mechanical, energy, construction and transportation industries.

MiniTrends 2013 Conference Speaker Eve Richter,

Eve RichterVP of Community & Partnerships, door64
Door64 is a huge group  community of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) industries influencers serving more than 30,000 STEM professionals in the Austin Area. Previous to door64, Eve served as the Emerging Technologies Coordinator in the Economic Development Division at the City of Austin, helping businesses, startups, entrepreneurs and individuals in the tech (and other) sectors to grow and be successful in the Austin community.

Minitrends 2013 Conference Speaker - Dr. Lawrence VanstonDr. Lawrence VanstonPresident, Technology Futures, Inc.
Larry is an expert on the future of telecommunications and its significance to organizations and people. Since 1985, he has been the director and principal author of ongoing reports commissioned by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group (TTFG), presently comprised of AT&T, CenturyLink, Verizon, and Windstream. Larry directs TFI’s popular TFI Communications Technology Asset Valuation Conference, now in its 9th year.

More speakers to be announced soon!

Preliminary Schedule

___________________

Post-Conference Methods MiniTrends Workshop (Optional)

MiniTrends Workshop: How to Discover & Profit From Emerging Trends

Thursday, October 3, 2013, 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Go the next step to starting your own MiniTrends Adventure by attending this excellent applications workshop. In this session, we discuss basic MiniTrends principles and participants have hands-on opportunities to find, analyze, and profit from emerging trends that also offer a socially responsible aspect. Participants leave with a solid basis for developing their own “Minitrends Mindset.”

MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology TrendsMiniTrends Workshop BONUS!! Copy of award-winning book MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends.

To encourage you to attend this valuable post-conference half-day workshop, we are offering it at an exceptionally low price! Only $75 early bird for general admission attendees! ($100 after Sept. 1.)

___________________

Venue:

The Holiday Inn Austin Town Lake Hotel is a wonderful location to experience Austin’s major attractions. Located on beautiful Lady Bird Lake, the hotel has direct access to the lake’s hike & bike trails and is a mile from Austin’s famous 6th Street entertainment district. It’s also near the State Capitol, University of Texas, South Congress Bridge (home to Austin’s famous Mexican free-tail bats), and the Governor’s Mansion. The hotel offers complimentary shuttles to Austin Bergstrom International Airport and to 6th Street. Book online or call the hotel directly to book very reasonably-priced sleeping rooms. 800-593-5676. For more information about Austin, visit Austin 360 or Austin Chamber of Commerce.

 ___________________


Registration:

General Admission: Wed., Oct. 2, 8:30 am-5:30 pm followed by reception. Early Bird $395 (after Sept. 1, $495).

Non-Profit/Government/Academic Admission: Wed., Oct. 2,
8:30 am-5:30 pm followed by reception. Early Bird $295 (after Sept. 1, $395).

Student Admission: Wed., Oct. 2, 8:30 am-5:30 pm followed by
reception. $90.00.

Post-Conference MiniTrends Methods Workshop General
Admission
 (Optional): Thurs., Oct. 3, 8:30 am-12:00 noon. Early Bird $75 (after Sept. 1, $100). (Conference registration required.)

Post-Conference MiniTrends Methods Workshop Student
Admission 
(Optional): Thurs., Oct. 3, 8:30 am-12:00 noon. $15.00. (Conference registration required.)

Eventbrite - MINITRENDS 2013: The Integration of Profit & Social Responsibility

 

Please contact TFI at info@tfi.com or (512) 258-8898 or
visit MiniTrends 2013 with any conference questions.

 

MiniTrends 2012 Conference – Tomorrow – Oct. 17-18, Austin, TX

October 16, 2012

Minitrends 2012: Translating Emerging Trends Into Business Opportunities: Oct. 17-18, Austin, TXDiscover, Analyze, Profit! Tomorrow is MiniTrends 2012: A Conference on Translating Emerging Trends into Business Opportunities, October 17-18, 2012 at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, Austin, Texas. Register now and save $150 by using the discount code 2012Blog. (Promotional box is above green “Register” button.)

Twenty all-star business leaders and forward thinkers will discuss how you can start new ventures and grow established organizations through attention to MiniTrends–emerging trends that will soon become important, but are not yet widely recognized. Find out what future trends and convergences they see on the horizon and, just as importantly, how you can find profitable emerging trends of your own.

Register now if you are:
  • An Entrepreneur wishing to identify, assess, and exploit attractive new business opportunities
  • An Executive, Director, Manager, or Professional seeking to take advantage of important emerging trends
  • An Innovative Thinker interested in gaining recognition for your originality and perceptiveness
  • An Investor interested in uncovering attractive new investment opportunities
  • A Job Seeker wishing to define emerging employment possibilities

Fun and entrepreneurial-spirited Austin offers the ideal location for to learn and network with others, while finding strategies and insights to create or grow their organization or find new avenues for job skills.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary conference with such an exceptional depth and breadth of speaker talent and solid schedule. Save $150 by registering using the code 2012Bonus! (Promotional box is above green “Register” button.)

What you will gain:

  • A creative mind-set and resources for finding and taking advantage of emerging trends and opportunities relating to your own area of expertise and interest
  • A preview of MiniTrends that thought-leaders see developing
  • Experience, knowledge, and wisdom from innovative leaders sharing how they use emerging trends to start new ventures or grow established organizations
  • Tactics to identify untapped business opportunities from converging trends
  • Interaction with speakers and fellow participants to learn, mix, and share ideas
  • Strategy and insights to create or grow your organization and, in the process, find your bliss!
  • An opportunity to enjoy the Live Music Capital of the World!

MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology TrendsBONUS!!! In addition to information, ideas, and insights to participants for discovering, analyzing, and profiting from minitrends, all participants will receive the award-winning book MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends.

Wednesday, October 17, 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. & Thursday, October 18, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. followed by conference reception until 7:15 p.m.

Registration: $495 – Use code 2012BLOG and receive a $150 discount!


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MiniTrends 2012 Conference – Only Five Days Left – Oct. 17-18, Austin, TX

October 12, 2012

Minitrends 2012: Translating Emerging Trends Into Business Opportunities: Oct. 17-18, Austin, TXDiscover, Analyze, Profit! Only five days left until MiniTrends 2012: A Conference on Translating Emerging Trends into Business Opportunities, October 17-18, 2012 at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, Austin, Texas. Register now and save $150 by using the discount code 2012Blog. (Promotional box is above green “Register” button.)

Twenty all-star business leaders and forward thinkers will discuss how you can start new ventures and grow established organizations through attention to MiniTrends–emerging trends that will soon become important, but are not yet widely recognized. Find out what future trends and convergences they see on the horizon and, just as importantly, how you can find profitable emerging trends of your own.

Register now if you are:
  • An Entrepreneur wishing to identify, assess, and exploit attractive new business opportunities
  • An Executive, Director, Manager, or Professional seeking to take advantage of important emerging trends
  • An Innovative Thinker interested in gaining recognition for your originality and perceptiveness
  • An Investor interested in uncovering attractive new investment opportunities
  • A Job Seeker wishing to define emerging employment possibilities

Fun and entrepreneurial-spirited Austin offers the ideal location for to learn and network with others, while finding strategies and insights to create or grow their organization or find new avenues for job skills.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary conference with such an exceptional depth and breadth of speaker talent and solid schedule. Save $150 by registering using the code 2012Bonus! (Promotional box is above green “Register” button.)

What you will gain:

  • A creative mind-set and resources for finding and taking advantage of emerging trends and opportunities relating to your own area of expertise and interest
  • A preview of MiniTrends that thought-leaders see developing
  • Experience, knowledge, and wisdom from innovative leaders sharing how they use emerging trends to start new ventures or grow established organizations
  • Tactics to identify untapped business opportunities from converging trends
  • Interaction with speakers and fellow participants to learn, mix, and share ideas
  • Strategy and insights to create or grow your organization and, in the process, find your bliss!
  • An opportunity to enjoy the Live Music Capital of the World!

MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology TrendsBONUS!!! In addition to information, ideas, and insights to participants for discovering, analyzing, and profiting from minitrends, all participants will receive the award-winning book MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends.

Wednesday, October 17, 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. & Thursday, October 18, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. followed by conference reception until 7:15 p.m.

Registration: $495 – Use code 2012BLOG and receive a $150 discount!


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Age of Imagination With MiniTrends – GigaOm Blog – Dr. John Vanston

October 6, 2012

Dr. John Vanston guest blog's on GigaOm: "In the Age of Information, Small Trends have Big Impacts." Image courtesy of GigaOm. Used under Creative Commons license, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en.

Dr. John Vanston guest blog’s on GigaOm: “In the Age of Information, Small Trends have Big Impacts.” Image “future1” courtesy of GigaOm. Used under Creative Commons license.

Dr. John Vanston is giving a great opening presentation at MiniTrends 2012: A Conference on Translating Emerging Trends into Business Opportunities entitled “Succeeding in the Age of Imagination with Minitrends.” John gives a preview of the talk in his GigaOm guest blog In the Age of Information, Small Trends have Big Impacts.  We highly suggest you read it.

We greatly appreciate Stacey Higginbotham‘s interest in publishing the article. We’ve been friends with Stacey since her days at the Austin Business Journal and are thrilled to see her success at the very prestigious GigaOm.

We still have opening for MiniTrends 2012! The breadth and depth of the speaking talent and schedule is exceptional. Twenty all-star business leaders and forward thinkers will identify impending trends and convergences and help you profitably exploit them. This is a must-attend event for entrepreneurs, decision makers, innovative thinkers, investors, and/or job seekers whose fortunes depend on seeing and seizing business trends. And fun and entrepreneurial-spirited Austin offers the ideal location.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn and network with others, while finding strategies and insights to create or grow your own organization or find new avenues for your job skills.

In appreciation for your being a MiniTrends Blog subscriber,  register now using the code 2012BLOG and receive a $150 discount! Enter code in the “Enter Promotional Code” immediately above the large green Registration button.

We hope to see you there!

Wednesday, October 17, 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. & Thursday, October 18, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. followed by conference reception until 7:15 p.m.

Register with  code 2012BLOG and receive a $150 discount!


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MiniTrends 2012 Conference – Early Registration Ends Today

October 3, 2012

Minitrends 2012: Translating Emerging Trends Into Business Opportunities: Oct. 17-18, Austin, TX

ACT NOW! Early Registration for MiniTrends 2012: A Conference on Translating Emerging Trends into Business Opportunities, Oct 17-18, Omni Downtown, Austin, TX ends TODAY. Save $100 by registering Today!
TFI has assembled twenty all-star business leaders and forward thinkers to identify impending trends and convergences and help you profitably exploit them. The breadth and depth of the speaking talent and schedule is exceptional. This is a must-attend event for those whose fortunes depend on seeing and seizing business trends. And fun and entrepreneurial-spirited Austin offers the ideal location.
You should attend if you are:
  • An Entrepreneur wishing to identify, assess, and exploit attractive new business opportunities
  • A Decision Making Executive, Director, Manager, or in a Small or Mid-Size Business wanting to gain advantage by recognizing and utilizing emerging trends
  • An Innovative Thinking Executive, Director, Manager, or Professional in a Larger Business aspiring to distinguish yourself by your special insights and perceptiveness
  • An Investor interested in uncovering attractive new investment opportunities
  • A Job Seeker wishing to define employment opportunities

You will gain:

  •  A creative mind-set and resources for finding and taking advantage of emerging trends and opportunities relating to your own area of expertise and interest
  • A preview of minitrends that thought-leaders see developing
  • Experience, knowledge, and wisdom from innovative leaders sharing how they use emerging trends to start new ventures or grow established organizations
  • Tactics to identify business opportunities from converging trends
  • Interaction with speakers and fellow participants to learn, mix, and share ideas
  • Strategy and insights to create or grow your organization and, in the process, find your bliss
  • Hanging out in the Live Music Capital of the World!

A day and half conference of this caliber is usually priced at $1,000 or much more. Register TODAY and pay only $395. The price is still a very reasonable $495 after that.

MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology TrendsBONUS!!! All participants will receive the award-winning book MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends.

Take advantage of Early Registration and sign up TODAY! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn and network with others, while finding strategies and insights to create or grow your own organization or find new avenues for your job skills.
___________

MiniTrends 2012: A Conference on Translating Emerging Trends into Business Opportunities

Wednesday, October 17, 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. & Thursday, October 18, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. followed by conference reception until 7:15 p.m.

Early Registration: Only $395.00 until October 3 (then $495.00)


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MiniTrends 2012 – Early Registration Ends Oct 3 – Register Now

September 28, 2012

Minitrends 2012: Translating Emerging Trends Into Business Opportunities: Oct. 17-18, Austin, TX

Discover, Analyze, Profit! Longtime Austin-based Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI) is hosting an important conference, MiniTrends 2012: A Conference on Translating Emerging Trends into Business Opportunities, on October 17-18, 2012 at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, Austin, Texas. Early Registration ends Wednesday, October 3!

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary price for a conference with such an exceptional depth and breadth of speaker talent. Register now before the October 3 Early Registration deadline and save $100!

Twenty all-star business leaders and forward thinkers will discuss how you can start new ventures and grow established organizations through attention to MiniTrends–emerging trends that will soon become important, but are not yet widely recognized. Find out what future trends and convergences they see on the horizon and, just as importantly, how you can find profitable emerging trends of your own.

Fun and entrepreneurial-spirited Austin offers the ideal location for entrepreneurs, decision makers, innovative thinkers, investors, and job seekers to learn and network with others, while finding strategies and insights to create or grow their organization or find new avenues for job skills.

The regular price of $495 is a steal for a conference of this caliber, but with Early Registration by October 3, you pay only $395. (Promotional box is immediately above big “Register” button.)

In addition to our many other exceptional speakers, our Keynote Speakers are:

  • Award-winning author and and Chairman of TFI Dr. John Vanston showing how to use MiniTrends to succeed in the “Age of Imagination”
  • World-renowned Futurist David Pearce Snyder introducing the “New Normal” and its opportunities in the decade ahead
  • High-tech trailblazer Byron Reese, CIO at Demand Media, assuring us that emerging trends will bring a “Golden Age of Humanity”

MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology TrendsBONUS!!! In addition to information, ideas, and insights to participants for discovering, analyzing, and profiting from minitrends, all participants will receive the award-winning book MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends.

MiniTrends 2012: A Conference on Translating Emerging Trends into Business Opportunities

Wednesday, October 17, 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. & Thursday, October 18, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. followed by conference reception until 7:15 p.m.

Early Registration: Only $395.00 until October 3 (then $495.00)


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MiniTrends 2012 Conference – Early Registration Extended – Downtown Austin, Oct. 17-18

September 21, 2012

Minitrends 2012: Translating Emerging Trends Into Business Opportunities: Oct. 17-18, Austin, TX

We are pleased to extend our Early Registration until Oct. 3 for MINITRENDS 2012: A Conference on Translating Emerging Trends into Business Opportunities scheduled Oct. 17-18 at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown!

Come join us in Downtown Austin to hear twenty distinguished business leaders and forward thinkers discuss how to start new ventures or grow established organizations through attention to MiniTrends–emerging trends that will soon become important, but are not yet widely recognized. Find out what future trends and convergences they see on the horizon and how you can find profitable emerging trends of your own!

With its entrepreneurial and fun spirit, Austin is the ideal place for entrepreneurs, decision makers, innovative thinkers, investors, and/or job seekers to find strategies and insights to create or grow their own organization or find new avenues for job skills.

Our schedule and list of distinguished speakers keeps growing. Some highlights of the schedule include:

  • Dr. John Vanston, Chairman, Technology Futures, Inc., showing how to use MiniTrends to succeed in the “Age of Imagination.”
  • World-renowned Futurist introducing the “New Normal” and the opportunities in the decade ahead
  • High-tech trailblazer Byron Reese, CIO at Demand Media, assuring us that emerging trends will bring a coming “Golden Age of Humanity.
  • Entrepreneur Andy Fish discussing about how his new venture, Formula Austin LLC, is taking Austin by storm by plugging visitors into Austin’s culture and business scene during the U.S. Formula One Grand Prix, now here in Austin.
  • Dr. Luis Medina, CEO, Tech BA describing how Mexican and other international technology companies define and successfully implement their business plan to enter the US market.
  • Lani Rosales, popular blogger and COO of hit online magazine AGBeat.com sharing trends that offer great opportunities in the business and social media arenas.
  • Rick Smyre, discussing innovative new trends in governance, economic development, leadership, and education/learning inherent in his growing Communities of the Future program.
  • David Smith, CEO, HBMG, outlining important technology trends of the future.
  • Dr. Peter Zandan, Global Vice Chairman of Hill+Knowlton and Angel Investor, gives the ins and outs of investing from his perspective.
  • Several other inspiring speakers assisting attendees in launching their own innovative and profitable “MiniTrend Adventures.”

Come and learn how you too can launch your our MiniTrend Adventure! And please help spread the word to those you think would benefit from this important future trends conference. (See below for share icons that send out this page to your social media contacts. Visit share this for possible text.)

MINITRENDS How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends

Special BONUS for Participants! FREE copy of the award-winning book MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrpreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends, by TFI Chairman and MiniTrends 2012 Conference Chair Dr. John H. Vanston, with Carrie Vanston, TFI Media/Mkt. Dir. and MiniTrends 2012 Conference Director.

REGISTER NOW!

MiniTrends 2012: A Conference on Translating Emerging Trends into Business Opportunities
Wednesday, October 17, 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. and
Thursday, October 18, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m
Followed by Conference Reception 5:45-7:15 p.m. onsite at the Omni Hotel 

Early Registration: only $395.00 until Oct. 3 (then $495.00)

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MiniTrends 2012 Conference – Keynote David Pearce Snyder – Oct 17-18, Downtown Austin

September 9, 2012

Minitrends 2012: Translating Emerging Trends Into Business Opportunities: Oct. 17-18, Austin, TX

MiniTrends 2012 Conference Keynote David Pearce Snyder - Futurist

We are excited to have renowned Futurist David Pearce Snyder as our Opening Keynote Speaker for MiniTrends 2012: A Conference on Translating Emerging Trends into Business Opportunities. His presentation will be a “Welcome to the ‘New Normal’ — A Strategic Assessment of the Next Ten Years.” 

Over the past 5 years, America has entered a period of accelerated demographic, economic and technologic change. With every passing year, it becomes increasingly clear that many of these changes are not cyclic, but permanent. We are now living in what the pundits call a “New Normal.” David will present an INSTANT PREPLAY© of the next 5 to 10 years, and point out the opportunities and imperatives that will confront America in the decade ahead.

David has been in the forecasting business for over 30 years, during which he has built an impressive track record with a wide range of clientele, while compiling a multi-million item data base of trends and projections. He has been Contributing Editor of The Futurist magazine, published by the World Futures Society, for over a quarter century and given thousands of seminars on strategic thinking. David has written extensively on the future impacts of new technologies. To learn more about this must-attend conference, visit MiniTrends 2012 or read on.

Discover, Evaluate, Profit!
 Join us in Downtown Austin on October 17-18, the place Forbes’ calls the “Best Big City for Jobs,” to listen and participate as business leaders and forward thinkers discuss starting new ventures or growing established organizations through attention to MiniTrends—emerging trends that will soon become important, but are not yet widely recognized. Find out what future trends and convergences they see on the horizon and how you can find profitable emerging trends of your own!Achieving and sustaining success in the current environment of unprecedented marketplace innovation means being constantly alert to new and exciting MiniTrends that provide business and technological opportunities. MiniTrends offer great opportunities to those alert enough to recognize them, perceptive enough to appreciate them, and clever enough to take advantage of them.Austin is a growing entrepreneurial hub that offers a culture built on collaboration, innovation, and creativity. What better place to find out how you, too, can develop a Minitrend Mindset?You Should Attend if You are:

  • An Entrepreneur wishing to identify, assess, and exploit attractive new business opportunities
  • A Decision Making Executive, Director, Manager, or Professional in a Small or Mid-Size Business wanting to gain advantage by recognizing and utilizing emerging trends
  • An Innovative Thinking Executive, Director, Manager, or Professional in a Larger Business aspiring to distinguish yourself by your special insights and perceptiveness
  • An Investor interested in uncovering attractive new investment opportunities
  • A Job Seeker wishing to define employment opportunities
What You will Gain:
  • A creative mind-set and resources for finding and taking advantage of emerging trends and opportunities relating to your own area of expertise and interest
  • A preview of MiniTrends that thought-leaders see developing
  • Experience, knowledge, and wisdom from innovative leaders sharing how they use emerging trends to start new ventures or grow established organizations
  • Tactics to identify untapped business opportunities from converging trends
  • Interaction with speakers and fellow participants to learn, mix, and share ideas
  • MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology TrendsStrategy and insights to create or grow your organization and, in the process, find your bliss!
  • An opportunity to enjoy the Live Music Capital of the World!
  • BONUS!! Copy of award-winning book MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends.
Speakers:

MiniTrends 2012 Conference Chair - Dr. John H. Vanston, Chairman, Technology Futures, Inc.Conference Chair: Dr. John H. Vanston, Chairman, Technology Futures, Inc.
John founded TFI in 1978, building the Austin, Texas-based company into a leading authority in custom research and technology forecasting. His MiniTrends concept, designed to increase creativity, innovation, and success, is summarized in MINITRENDS: How Innovators & Entrepreneurs Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trends. The book has received several Best Business Book awards and excellent reviews and endorsements.

Mintirends Keynote Speaker: David Pearce Snyder, Futurist and Contributing Editor, The FuturistKeynote Speaker: David Pearce Snyder, Consulting Futurist; The Snyder Family Enterprise, Contributing Editor, The Futurist
David has been in the forecasting business for over 30 years, during which he has built an impressive track record with a wide range of clientele, while compiling a multi million item data base of trends and projections. He has been Contributing Editor of The Futurist magazine for over a quarter century and given thousands of seminars on strategic thinking. David has edited/co-authored five books, and written hundreds of studies, articles and reports on the  future impacts of new technologies.

Keynote Speaker: Byron ReeseChief Innovation Officer, Demand Media
Byron brings his vast technical understanding to illuminate how today’s technology can solve many of our biggest global challenges. He speaks with the unrivaled authority of an accomplished high-tech trailblazer, inventor, and entrepreneur, and the wisdom of a life-long historian. Reese has served on both public and private boards of directors, has started several non-profit organizations and has just completed the forthcoming book, Infinite Progress: How Technology and the Internet Will End Ignorance, Disease, Hunger, Poverty, and War.

Minitrends Seminar Director - Carrie Vanston, Media and Mkt. Dir., Technology Futures, Inc.Conference Director: Carrie VanstonMedia and Marketing Director, Technology Futures, Inc.
Carrie has many years of experience in public relations, marketing, and sales at TFI and in the entertainment industry. As co-author of MINITRENDS: How Entrepreneurs & Innovators Discover & Profit From Business & Technology Trendsshe brings a distinct real-world quality to MiniTrends activities, particularly in the media communications and social media areas.

Minitrends Speaker - Michael Bettersworth, Associate Vice Chancellor for Technology Advancement, Texas State Technical College

Michael BettersworthAssociate Vice Chancellor for Technology Advancement, Texas State Technical College (TSTC)
Michael founded TSTC Forecasting to identify and analyze new technical competencies needed by employers in order to improve student employability through curriculum alignment with market demand. TSTC Forecasting has published many studies on emerging technologies and occupations. New studies are currently underway in big data, unmanned aerial systems, and social media.

MiniTrends Conference Speaker - Andy Fish, Formula 1 LLCAndy Fish, President, Formula Austin, LLC; President and CEO at LISA – Legislative Information Services of America
Andy Fish and Anne Fish started Formula Austin LLC last year to plug visitors into Austin’s culture and business scene in the days before and after the U.S. Formula One Grand Prix, now here in Austin.  Formula Austin aims to link visitors up with authentic Austin experiences and has partnered with 42 local businesses, professionals and musicians to offer a large variety of activities.

Dr. August E. (“Augie”) GrantJ. Rion McKissick Professor of Journalism, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of South Carolina
Augie is a technology futurist who specializes in research on new media technologies and consumer behavior and market opportunities for emerging technologies. He is Editor of Communication Technology Update and Fundamentals, now in its thirteenth edition, which is used extensively in industry and has become one of the top-selling textbooks in the field of Communication Technology.

MiniTrends 2012 Conference - Christopher Justice, Chief Executive Officer at Sparksight, Inc.Christopher JusticeChief Executive Officer at Sparksight, Inc.; Founder, Justice Pest Services
Christopher co-founded Sparksight®  in 2006 and has built the company into a well-respected design agency that specializes in event management, high definition video production and digital marketing. Combining wisdom and humor with common sense, Chris is a master at building better businesses through a combination of face-to-face and online marketing techniques.

Minitrends Expert Panelist: Luis Medina, CEO, Tech BADr. Luis MedinaCEO, Tech BA — an Initiative of the Government of Mexico partnering with the IC2 Institute of The University of Texas
Luis has an extensive career as an entrepreneur in the business world as well as in academia both in Mexico and the US. As CEO of Tech BA he has interviewed, selected, trained, and helped  many Mexican technology companies define and successfully implement their business plan to enter the US market in a variety of segments.

Minitrends Expert Panelist Joy Miller, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator, City of Austin Small Business Development ProgramJoy Miller, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator, City of Austin Small Business Development Program
Joy is a marketing and outreach professional with over 20 years of leadership experience in process improvement, human resources, and operations. She communicates with and counsels aspiring and existing small business owners in presentations and in personal communications to ensure understanding of City of Austin resources and assistance available to them.

MiniTrends Conference Speaker - Lani Rosales, COO, AgBeatLani Rosales, Chief Operating Officer, AGBeat.com
AGBeat is one of the fastest growing digital magazines in the entire industry. Lani became the Editor-in-chief of AGBest in 2010, and was recently promoted to COO.  AGBeat condenses news information on technology, business, social media, startups, real estate, economics and more, so the reader doesn’t have to. Formerly focused strictly on marketing, Lani was named one of Real Estate’s 100 Most Influential, as well as 12 Most Influential Women in Blogging.

David Smith, CEO, HBMG Inc.
As a noted futurist, technologist, and business leader, David brings more than 30 years of experience in digital convergence, strategic planning, and emerging technologies.  He has assisted in creating and implementing plans for Fortune 100, emerging companies, universities, and government agencies. David is responsible for the global strategic planning, product development, and business execution at HBMG.

Rick SmyrePresident, Center for Communities of the Future; Owner, Strategic Concepts, Inc.
Rick is an internationally recognized futurist. Over the last fifteen years he has pioneered the concept of “community transformation” and has keynoted and presented at over three hundred events in the US, Scotland, England and Canada. His present focus is on developing networks of people and organizations interested in the emerging concepts of Transformational Learning, Master Capacity Builder, and Creative Molecular Economy.

Charles Studer, Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Briggo
Addressing the need for convenience in a fast-paced world along with social awareness, Charles converged robotics, mobile apps, and cloud computing to create a technology that enables customers to store favorite coffee recipes in the cloud, remotely order, and have those drinks produced with robotic precision. Using an ethically source organic Peruvian bean, the first Briggo kiosk was deployed at the University of Texas last fall with plans to extend fully automated kiosks across the country.

Minitrends Conference Speaker - Dr. Lawrence VanstonDr. Lawrence Vanston, President, Technology Futures, Inc.
Larry is an expert on the future of telecommunications and its significance to organizations and people. Since 1985, he has been the director and principal author of ongoing reports commissioned by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group (TTFG), presently comprised of AT&T, CenturyLink, Verizon, and Windstream. Larry directs TFI’s popular TFI Asset Valuation Conference, now in its 7th year.

Minitrends Speaker Panelist - Peter Zandan, Global Vice Chairman at Hill and Knowlton, Board member at Next Big Sound, Inc., Investor at Klout, Sr. Advisor at Public Strategies Inc., Sr. Advisor/Chairman at Earth and SkyDr. Peter Zandan, Angel Investor; Global Vice Chairman at Hill and Knowlton; Board member at Next Big Sound, Inc.; Investor at Klout; Sr. Advisor at Public Strategies Inc.; Sr. Advisor/Chairman at EarthSky
As an angel investor, Peter serves as an advisor and strategic investor in early-stage companies. At H+K Strategies, Peter helps direct strategic initiatives and is the worldwide research practice group leader where he provides assistance for clients in the financial services, energy, technology, healthcare and retail industries. His experience as a successful CEO/Chairman/founder of a public company, IntelliQuest, helps inform the advice and counsel he provides.

More speakers to be announced soon!