Big Idea North Platte 2023 - Conversation with Cassie Condon, Jacob Rissler, and Pat Jacobson

Canon Rath talked with committee members of the North Platte Young Professionals Cassie Condon, Jacob Rissler, and Pat Jacobson about the Big Idea North Platte 2023 event. 

 

NORTH PLATTE, NEB – The 4th annual Big Idea North Platte is coming back to North Platte with the live event taking place October 18th, 2023, at Venue 304 in North Platte. The Big Idea North Platte 2023 event is an opportunity where community members can share their ideas, product, or event new business. It’s also a great way to earn prize money or scholarship money. 

The North Platte Young Professionals are hosting the event. The North Platte Young Professionals strives to retain young leaders ages 21-40 in North Platte. “We are a subcommittee of the North Platte Area Chamber and Development corporation and North Platte Young Professionals, it's our mission to create and retain young leaders,” said North Platte Young Professional Committee Member Cassie Condon. 

The Big Idea North Platte 2023 is a great opportunity for community members who want to pitch an idea, a product, or their own business. The competition lets folks compete against one another, but also shows the creativity that an individual can come up. “This event was created to give you an opportunity to network with professionals and provide educational value that is readily available outside your normal circles that you are talking too,” said Condon. “It’s a great way to get your idea out there and reviewed by local experts.” 

Last year, the Big Idea event only hosted one category. At the time, youths ages 10-18, if they won, they would receive scholarship money for their idea. This year, the youth category is back sponsored by Mid Plains Community College. Winners in the youth category can earn themselves a scholarship. “We decided to put in some scholarships, so for that youth category we are giving away some great scholarships for students,” said North Platte Young Professional Committee Member Jacob Rissler. “We love being part of the economic development, retaining young professionals and also keeping great ideas in the community.” The youth category has three places you can win. Third place earns you $550, second place is $1,000, and first place is $2,500. The scholarship money can be used at Mid Plains North Platte campus, McCook’s campus, or any of Mid Plans community campuses.  

The community category this year is being sponsored by Eagle Communication through the Schmidt Foundation. Just like last year, in honor of the Schmidt Foundation, Eagle Communications is donating a generous amount to this year's top three winners and to invest in the idea of members of the North Platte Community. “The Schmidt foundation has generously donated big prizes this year,” said North Platte Young Professional Committee Member Pat Jacobson. “Third place is $3,000, second place is $7,000, and the first-place winner is $10,000 plus marketing packages that Eagle will provide.” 

The Big Idea North Platte 2023 is rolling upon us. For more information, check out the podcast above as the group discussed many important details about how to enter, prizes, what's new this year, categories, dates and so much more. You can also learn more by following the North Platte Young Professionals Facebook page. You can also email them at pyp@nparea.com with any questions or comments.