On November 2-3, 2011, BYU–Hawaii’s Willies Center for International Entrepreneurship presented the “Great Ideas Exchange,” a campus-wide event that encourages students to come up with an idea from their chosen field and then share it with their peers and mentors.
Activities began on November 2 with more than 300 students gathering in the Cannon Activities Center to participate in the ‘Think Tank’. Students were placed into small groups of seven to nine, accompanied by a mentor who would listen to the ideas and give feedback. These mentors were comprised of BYU–Hawaii Alumni and members of the President’s Leadership Council ( [link to PLC article], and other experts.
Al Gardner, the Chairman of the PLC, was excited to be able to interact with students and share in their great ideas. “I love coming out to Hawaii,” said Gardner. “The mission this school carries is alive and the spirit that the students carry is strong. By interacting with the students I can see why this university is special.”
After hundreds of students shared their ideas, 14 were selected to participate in the following day’s event. The 14 finalists were given the opportunity to share their idea with gathered faculty, staff, and students in the Cannon Activities Center. Each finalist was given two minutes to share their idea and convince a panel of judges why their idea was great. After all presentations were heard, the judges made their decisions and selected seven winners. Each winner was given a certificate of recognition and a gift certificate to a local restaurant.
Alfredo Solar Picazo, one of the students who helped organize the “Great Ideas Exchange”, said, “This event gives students the tools to succeed. PLC members help to guide and give advice to students. The feedback is precious because of their experience. They can help students perfect their ideas and get them ready for planning and implementation.”
The “Great Ideas Exchange” is an annual event at BYU–Hawaii, held in the fall semester. The “Empower Your Dreams” business plan competition and conference, held during the winter semester, is the second phase in the Center for International Entrepreneurship’s Think – Plan – Do initiative. For more information, visit think_plan_do.byuh.edu/.