Faculty and Student Involvement Made Local Business Showcase Successful

Oct 12, 2023 12:00 AM

The College of Business, Engineering, and Computational & Mathematical Sciences and the Allegany Chamber of Commerce collaborated to hold the 2023 Allegany County Local Business Showcase on the evening of October 18 at the Lane Student Center. Dr. Dong Wook Huh (MGMT) co-chaired the event to add several practical workshops throughout the day and helped organize a discussion forum on building and deepening the relationship between the College and the Local Business Community. AMA FSU Chapter (Marketing Club), led by club president, Daniel Baiyeshea, helped promote the event and provided crucial support in making the events successful.

Nearly 30 businesses participated in the main showcase event to promote their products and services and network with the public, which included many FSU students. Many of the businesses offered internship and potential employment opportunities for students. During the event, Dr. Michael Monahan from the Department of Management and Dr. Chenchen Huang from the Department of Accounting helped promote the various programs offered by the College.

Four workshops were organized throughout the day of the event. Pamela Twigg from Pamela Twigg Coaching led a workshop on self-awareness. Jodi Broadwater from Small Business Development Center and Richard Leimbach from Startup Portal led a session on developing business ideas and securing funding for them. Dr. Sudipto Sarkar of the Department of Marketing and Finance led a social media marketing workshop. Lastly, Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) and Maryland Departments of Commerce and Labor introduced statewide programs supporting entrepreneurs.

The College sponsored the luncheon panel discussion event organized jointly by the College, the Division of Regional Development & Engagement, and the Allegany Chamber of Commerce. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Al Delia, Vice President of Regional Development & Engagement and the panel included Dr. Michael Flinn of the Department of Computer Science, Dr. Natalia Buta of the Department of Recreation and Parks Management, Dr. Stacy Wassell (Director, FSU Remote Work Center), Jodi Broadwater, Shawn Bender (CEO, Beitzel Corporation and Pillar Innovation), Timi Hadra (Partner, IBM), and Ronnie Gist (Associate Director, Maryland Industrial Partnership). They introduced various programs designed to help local businesses and entrepreneurs and agreed that continued conversations are needed to promote regional economic development, which will in turn benefit FSU and our students.

Left: Dr. Dong Wook Huh, co-chair of the event, announces the beginning of the Business Showcase. 

Right: Dr. Michael Monahan (Chair, MGMT), Dr. Dong Wook Huh (MGMT), and Dr. Chenchen Huang (Chair, ACCT) represented CBECMS at the Business Showcase.