You’ve probably heard that your website needs SEO, or you can’t get your website to show in when you search for it on any other computer than your personal computer. Get an overview of the essential factors that play into your SEO, what it is, how it works, and how to get your website to talk to Google. You’ll leave this workshop with a couple new tools, both literal and figurative, that help you optimize your website.

Tickets
$47 Guests / Included with Membership

Mike Grill is a jack-of-all trades who spent 8 years in freelance writing, SEO, and marketing roles while cooking and bartending around Portland during and after graduating from college. He has spent the last 5 years at agencies honing his digital marketing skills and providing hundreds of clients with successful techniques and strategies to effectively communicate with their target audience. Presently, Mike is the chief SEO Strategist at Anvil Media where he elevates clients’ websites through SEO and PPC advertising. More at www.anvilmedia.com.

Pregame is like a gym for your goals! Our exclusive events, marketing packages, and private training sessions get your business in peak shape with guidance from experienced pros. Pregame your business to get exactly what you need, right when you need it most. Sign up for events, coaching, and business advice at www.pregamehq.com.

Do you want to increase the business you do with Metro but have concerns about the cash demands associated with taking on bigger projects? To help our vendors grow, we’ve partnered with Ascent Funding, a local nonprofit offering business capital coaching, to deliver this free workshop. This workshop is geared towards construction firms so they can get a jumpstart on their 2019 construction season plans, but the information covered will be relevant to any business that needs working capital to grow their business.

You will learn:

·        How to assess and plan for your working capital needs

·         How lines of credit can help you meet the increased cash demands from growing your business

·         What to expect from using lines of credit: applying, deploying, repaying, potential challenges

Eastern Oregon Ventures and the EOU Entrepreneurship Club are sponsoring a Pub Talk in La Grande, OR this month.

Our speaker will be Jeff Crews, co-founder & CTO, Eastern Oregon Net Inc. (EONI).

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffcrews/

The session is scheduled for 11/29 @ HQ in La Grande, OR (http://coldcoffeemedia.com/hq/).  We will also be live streaming the event to anyone who wants to tune in.

The doors will open at 5:30.  The talk will start at 6:00.  There will be beer and appetizers.

Intro to Design Thinking, with designer Matthew A. Rhoades – The role of a great designer is to think beyond the obvious, designing not just for the expectations an opportunity brings, but for the potential—the best possible design. Learn the basics of design thinking from an award-winning, innovative designer with over 20 years of experience. Get an introduction to the product design process for hard and soft goods, spanning from research and consumer insights to ideation, execution, production, and sales. Explore differences in design roles and the types of designers involved with any product, such as brand and graphic designers, typographers, UX and UI design and more. Finally, learn what makes for great creative direction: your theme, inspiration, and philosophy. This introductory workshop is perfect for those who want a better understanding of the overall creative design process.

Matthew A. Rhoades is one of the most accomplished and respected design minds in the Pacific Northwest. As a veteran of several global design studios and former Nike Global Creative Director, Matthew’s award-winning career encompasses more than two decades, 40 patents, 6 world records, and multiple global design awards. Achievement highlights include an IDEA Gold Metal, a Newsweek “Product of the Year,” and designing the Trek Y-Bike, named “Third most influential mountain bike of all time.” In addition to his work as an industrial designer, he holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management and New Product Development and has spent over 18 years as an adjunct professor, faculty member, and speaker. He is currently a De Tao Master and Professor of Strategy Design Innovation at the De Tao Group Masters Academy in Shanghai. His experience transcends traditional industrial design products, encompassing digital (UI/UX), brand strategy, cutting-edge innovation, new business strategy, and overall design excellence.

New for 2018, the early stage competition is open to companies that have a great idea and are close to a “proof of concept”.  Entrepreneurs that have enrolled in or have completed the Virtual Incubation Program will be invited to pitch at the RAIN conference.  RAIN will make an investment of up to $15,000 in one or more companies that they feel will best broaden the local economy.  Any Douglas our Coos County early stage company is eligible to compete.

There will also be an audience favorite award.  The winner will receive a prize package, including cash and business services worth up to $5,000.

The RAIN investors (mostly private investors with an additional investment from the Oregon Growth Account, i.e. the State of Oregon) have invested over $800,000 in five companies over the first five years of the competition.

Join Pregame Members and friends to give back this holiday season! We’re partnering with Operation Nightwatch to take over their Friday night hospitality center, preparing food and creating community for local homeless and low-income individuals.

Free with RSVP
Donations to Operation Nightwatch encouraged

Operation Nightwatch is a nonprofit organization that has been offering friendship and hospitality to Portland’s unhoused community since 1981. Whereas other agencies exist to provide services such as housing, food, and clothing to those experiencing homelessness, low-income individuals, and those living with mental illness, ONW’s unique vision is that these populations also may suffer from simple social isolation. Our simple mission is to reach out to them, nurturing relationship. We welcome each person who comes to us, just as they are. More at www.operationnightwatch.org.

Pregame is like a gym for your goals! Our exclusive events, marketing packages, and private training sessions get your business in peak shape with guidance from experienced pros. Pregame your business to get exactly what you need, right when you need it most. Sign up for events, coaching, and business advice at www.pregamehq.com.