Spotlight on IVN Events

IVN's Economic Reconstruction Initiative (IERI) holds its

First Business Network Convention

The Israel Venture Network (IVN) was proud to hold its first IERI Business Network Convention at the Lavi Hotel on Kibbutz Lavi on July 6th, 2008, two years after the outbreak of the July 2006 Second Lebanon War.

The war highlighted and exacerbated longstanding difficulties facing the economic structure of Northern Israel, in particular small and medium businesses. IERI was developed in response to the difficulties, and complements rather than duplicates, other efforts in the area. IERI's purpose is the establishment and stimulation of business growth in Israel's periphery through a scalable model of consultancy, coaching/mentoring and lending for small businesses, combined with strengthening and empowering regional business consultants and MATI's (Small Business Development Centers).

The convention was regional (Tiberius and Beit She'an) and was in response to and at the request of IERI-involved business owners in the region in an attempt to create a business forum, develop a network and uncover business opportunities.

80 people attended the convention. For the most part the group was comprised of business owners, consultants and regional MATI employees. In addition, consultants were invited to bring business owners, unrelated to IERI. The convention was prefaced with opening remarks by MATI Manager, Nitzan Aviran. Several of the IERI businesses gave presentations, after which Moria deWitt, of Hatzav-deWitt Advertising, gave an impressive speech on the topic of branding. The final talk was given by Amnon Yacoby, IERI mentor and Chairman of Aternity Inc., regarding the value and contribution of consultation and mentoring to businesses.

The feedback has been extremely positive and IVN hopes to hold additional such regional conventions in the future.