ST. GEORGE – Aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners are invited to attend the Grow America Springboard Launch featuring Alan Hall, this Friday, Aug. 3, at noon, at the Dixie State College Dunford Auditorium.

Hall, after building a multinational marketing firm, MarketStar, which he sold to Omnicron in 1999, has devoted himself to championing the cause of entrepreneurs throughout the state. He will be in St. George on Aug. 3, to talk about the characteristics of winning entrepreneurs and his latest passion, Grow America. He is also the founder of Mercato Partners, a leading Venture fund in the region.

Since this is a free lunch activity, the Dixie Business Alliance, which is co-hosting the event, would like an RSVP to [email protected].

The competition

Grow America provides Grow America Springboard competitions to uplift and support entrepreneurs.

“Grow America’s Springboard competitions provide opportunities to support entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial companies, with a mission to create new jobs and strengthen local economies,” Hall said. “We invite anyone with a great idea and an entrepreneurial spirit to participate in the Utah Fall competition, which is their final 2012 opportunity to qualify for the Grow America Springboard Championship in early 2013.”

Kick-off events provide opportunities for participants and other entrepreneurs to meet and hear experts on entrepreneurism and to learn more about how to enter and participate in Utah’s fall competition. Entries opened Monday, July 23, for the fall competition, which will be the second and final competition in 2012.

How to enter

To enter the Utah Fall competition, go to GrowAm.com. Entries began July 23. Awards for the fall competition will take place during the Grow America Springboard show and expo in the Utah Salt Palace on Nov. 1.

Premiering in Utah, Grow America is a national company with regionalized programs providing $1 million in cash awards and services during its 2012 Utah competition events. Grow America competitions uplift and support entrepreneurs to create new jobs and strengthen local economies.

All participants in Grow America Springboard receive the opportunity to benefit and participate from networking events and opportunities to connect with potential business mentors and investors.