Twenty California State University, Fresno, students attended the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO) National Conference in Chicago Nov. 1-3, and seven participated on a panel giving advice on starting a campus CEO chapter.

CEO is an entrepreneur network with chapter clubs on over 100 campuses nationwide. The CEO Conference includes networking, lecturing, keynote speakers and breakout sessions.

“The national conference is a great chance to network with other campuses and entrepreneurial students,” said Michael Biondo, president of the CEO club at Fresno State

Biondo and six other Fresno State students were among panelists participating in breakout sessions on topics including how to start a CEO chapter, starting CEO clubs in high schools and starting a CEO chapter business.

The CEO Conference drew 135 university clubs and more than 1,200 students, faculty and others from across the country. More than 80 entrepreneurs and business leaders shared their ideas and expertise with students on how they launched their businesses, the lessons they’ve learned and where they are today.

Fresno State students were helped with expenses by the Coleman Foundation and the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State. The club also does fundraising for sponsorships in the Fresno area, Biondo said.

Three club members earned an all expenses paid trip thanks to the Plastic Jungle competition, which was held on campus Oct. 11.

“Plastic Jungle, a gift card trading company, was seeking the best methods to reach college campuses, so we held a marketing competition on campus and the prize was a full-ride trip to the conference,” Biondo said.

Two other students received all expenses paid trips through their mentors in the Entrepreneur Mentorship Program at Fresno State.

“These mentors volunteer their time and provide students not only with knowledge but also funding for different activities,” said Timothy Stearns, director of the Lyles Center.

For more information, contact Stearns at 559.294.2045.

For more information contained in this release, please go to the following Web site(s):

Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization