Competition Details USG Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition April 6 – 7, 2026 Kennesaw State University, Marietta Campus Joe Mack Wilson Student Center 860 Rossbacher Way, Marietta, GA 30060 Event Schedule Monday, April 6 - 1:30 p.m. | Check-In Opens, Second Floor Lobby - 2:30 – 5 p.m. | Preliminary Rounds, Ballrooms of Joe Mack Wilson Student Center Tuesday, April 7 - 8 a.m. | Check In Opens, Second Floor Lobby - 9 – 10:15 a.m. | Preliminary Rounds, Ballrooms of Joe Mack Wilson Student Center - 1:30 p.m. | Finals Round, Dance Theater in Joe Mack Wilson Student Center Parking Information Guest parking is available in two nearby lots: - Lot Y (across from the Joe Mack Wilson Student Center) 860 Rossbacher Way, Marietta, GA 30060 - East Lot 1 (in front of the Recreation Center) 955 Technology Parkway SE, Marietta, GA 30060 Both lots are a short walk to the event. Staff and signage will be on-site to help direct you. Please print or show the attached parking pass upon arrival to the parking attendant for either Lot Y or East Lot 1. Accessibility Information Golf cart service will run from Lot Y and East Lot 1 to the building entrance for guests who need assistance. Accessible seating for the Finals Round is located on the top left side of the Dance Theater and will be marked with signage. Seating is first-come, first-served, so early arrival is recommended. Livestream If you can’t attend in person, you can watch the preliminary rounds and finals live on the USG Innovation & Entrepreneurship website

Hi Leaders, Welcome back to another episode of Leadership Latte with Dr. Joe—where we pour, sip, and reflect on our journey of personal growth and leadership development. This week, we’re diving into a powerful reminder from John Maxwell’s Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: "Connecting is more skill than natural talent.” Too often, we assume that great communicators are simply born that way. But the truth is—connection is a skill. And like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and mastered. In this episode, I share how this principle has played out in my own leadership journey, along with a few practical ways you can strengthen your ability to connect with others—starting today. So grab your favorite cup of coffee and take a few minutes to invest in your growth. Let’s keep growing… together! Dr. Joe

Hey Leaders, Over the past 10 weeks, we’ve taken a deep dive into Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John C. Maxwell—and one powerful truth stands above the rest: 👉 Connection is the difference-maker in leadership. We’ve explored what it truly means to move beyond just communicating… and start connecting. We learned that great leaders: - Find common ground before seeking agreement - Keep communication clear and simple - Capture interest and attention - Inspire belief in others - Live what they say - Take time to know their audience - Believe in people before they believe in themselves - Build trust through consistency - Lead with authenticity - And most importantly… put others first This isn’t just about becoming better communicators—it’s about becoming better leaders. At Axis Leadership, we believe when leaders intentionally connect, they unlock potential, strengthen culture, and elevate everyone around them. Because when you build better people…you build a Better World. Final Reflection: Which principle from this series impacted you the most—and how will you apply it moving forward? Drop your biggest takeaway below Let’s keep growing, connecting, and leading with purpose. - Dr. Joe

Hey Leaders, Progress builds momentum. In this week's Thinker Thursday article, “The Power of Small Wins,” Harvard Business Review explains that recognizing small, meaningful progress boosts motivation, engagement, and performance. Strong leaders: - Celebrate progress, not just outcomes - Recognize effort and movement forward - Help teams see growth in real time When people see progress, they stay motivated. Leadership isn’t just about big results, it’s about consistent forward movement. Better People. Better World. Let’s discuss: What small win can you recognize on your team this week? - Dr. Joe

🚀Free, 2-Day, Boots to Business (B2B) Entrepreneurship Workshop, 30-31 March 2026, hosted by Robins AFB Military and Family Readiness Center | 8:30 AM-4:00 PM both days! 💰“Funded in part by a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.” Total of 21 participants 👨🏻‍🏫Instructor: Georgia VBOC Instructor: Reginald Thompson 🎤 Expert speakers: Devon Jones, Home Flow Collective; Brandon Blocker, Preferred Trophies and more; Joe Arnold, Principal Advisor & Consultant Genesis Inspired Leadership, Rich Henderson, Jani King of Augusta, Moniek James, Certified AI Consultant | Marketing Strategist. 🪖This training is offered to all Active Duty Service members, Transitioning, National Guard, Reservists, Veterans of all eras, and their spouses are eligible to participate. 📚Topics will include: · What is Entrepreneurship? · Idea vs. Business Opportunity? · Doing Your Market Research – Customers and Industry · The Economics of Small Business · Selecting The Correct Legal Structure · Financing Your Venture · Business Planning · SBA Resources for You 🔗#smallbusiness #startups #entrepreneurship #veterans #Milspouses #governmentcontracting #LegalSupport #womensbusinesscenter #SBDC #accesstocapital 🌐SBA: https://sba.my.site.com/s/ Georgia VBOC: https://gavectr.org/VBOC/ SCORE: https://score.org SBDC: https://americassbdc.org APEX Accelerators: https://lnkd.in/g3xFd3zB ACE/WBC: https://aceloans.org MSU-RR: https://lnkd.in/gPJWPBYC Onward to Opportunity: https://lnkd.in/ec2ZpbG7