> Allan Hancock College to present its second annual “54-hour Startup Weekend Santa Maria” on April 4-6. “Bring your business idea, and we’ll help make it happen,” said Anne Cremarosa, director, Small Business Entrepreneurship Center, and one of the organizers of the event which gives participants just 54 hours to pitch their idea, form teams and work together to fine tune their business model before presenting to a panel of judges. Along the way, attendees learn new skills, network and benefit from the experience of mentors and business coaches. Space is limited Regular registration price is $99 but those who register before Wednesday, April 2, using the discount code “SWPR” will only pay $49 to participate. Go to santamaria.startupweekend.org.
> CSU Channel Islands will recognize three outstanding business, technology and community leaders and award five student scholarships at its 10th Annual Business & Technology Partnership (B&TP) Leadership Dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17 at The Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach, 450 E. Harbor Blvd, Ventura. The event serves as a fundraiser for student scholarships. Honorees include: “Business and Community Leader of the Year:” Christine Garvey, retired banker and lawyer; “Technologist of the Year:” Sieg Borck & Hi-Temp Insulation Inc.; and “Faculty Leader of the Year:” Karen Jensen, professor of nursing. The university is also awarding five student recipients scholarships worth $6,000, who will also be honored at the event. Tickets are $150 and may be reserved online before April 11 at https://csuci.wufoo.com/forms/2014-leadership-dinner/
> Joe Schroeder, president/CEO of Ventura County Credit Union, will speak as part of the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at CSU Channel Islands’ “Spring 2014 Speaker Series” from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, May 2 at Malibu Hall 100. A graduate of the CSU (B.A. in Communications and MBA from Cal Poly Pomona), Schroeder leads the largest credit union headquartered in Ventura County — with six offices, 60,000 members and more than $600 million in assets. He currently serves as vice chair of the board of FOOD Share, a nonprofit organization fighting hunger in Ventura County. Visit http://business.csuci.edu/events, or contact Merissa Stith, events coordinator, at 805-437-8548 or merissa.stith@csuci.edu for more information.