How to Get the Most Out of EntreCon 2025

If you’ve ever tried to pick just one dessert at Craft Gourmet Bakery, you know the struggle of choices. That’s been EntreCon in a nutshell in the past—so many good sessions, speakers, and people in one place that I found myself wishing that cloning was an option.

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This November 12–13, downtown Pensacola will be buzzing with business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs for EntreCon 2025.

It’s our city’s annual “shot of espresso” for your brain—two days of learning, laughing, networking, and probably running into half the people you know looking for a cup of coffee at Bodacious before it even starts.

So, how do you get the most out of it? Here are six tips that I think will leave you feeling energized, connected, and maybe even ready to take on that “next big thing.

Plan Your Schedule in Advance

EntreCon isn’t the time to “wing it.”

• Highlight your must-sees. Grab the agenda and circle the sessions that light you up.
• Leave breathing room. Don’t schedule yourself into a frenzy. Some of the best moments happen in the lobby of the Pensacola Little Theatre, grabbing some popcorn, and discussing with a business acquaintance what is working for them right now.
• Download the app when it is available and think about location. Sessions are spread across downtown, so factor in a little walking.

Set Clear Goals Before You Go

Going in without a plan is like going to Palafox Market with no shopping bag—you’re going to miss out.

• Pick three wins. Do you want to meet potential clients, learn how to be a leader that others want to work with, or leave with a new collaboration opportunity? Write them down.
• Match your goals to sessions. If your focus is leadership, skip the sessions on finance.
• Tell a friend. It’s easier to meet your goals when someone else knows what you’re aiming for.

Engage with Speakers and AttendeesThis is Pensacola—we’re friendly. Don’t just sit quietly in the back row during a break out session.

• Ask a question. Speakers love curious audiences, and you’ll be remembered.
• Start conversations. A simple, “What brought you to EntreCon?” has led to surprising connections for me in the past.
• Network outside your bubble. Some of the best ideas come from industries you’d never expect—like how a baker thinks about efficiency or how a nonprofit leader inspires volunteers.

Take Notes and Reflect

EntreCon moves fast, and by Day Two, your brain may feel tired.

Notes are your friend.

• Write action items, not just ideas. “Hire better” is vague. “Ask candidates what makes them laugh” is gold.
• Do a daily debrief. Grab a cocktail/mocktail at Dog House or Global Grill and talk through your takeaways with a colleague or friend.
• Turn notes into next steps. Pick one or two ideas you’ll put into play the following week—before the notebook gets put up on the shelf.

Be Open to New Ideas

EntreCon is like Gallery Night for your brain—colorful, unexpected, and full of things you didn’t know you needed.

• Attend at least one session outside your comfort zone. You might find inspiration where you least expect it.
• Stay curious. Instead of thinking, “That won’t work for me,” ask, “How could this work for me?”
• Let Pensacola inspire you. We’re a city that blends tradition with innovation—EntreCon is the same way.

Follow Up After the Event

The conference ends, but the connections don’t have to.

• Send a thank-you note or LinkedIn message. Bonus points if you include something specific you talked about.
• Schedule a coffee. Downtown has no shortage of great spots to meet up and keep the conversation going.
• Stay engaged year-round. EntreCon is a launchpad, not a one-time thing. Keep nurturing those relationships.

EntreCon is where Pensacola’s dreamers, doers, and leaders come together.

It’s not just about listening to smart people on stage—it’s about sparking ideas, making connections, and walking away with the courage to take the next step in your business or career.

So plan, engage, and follow up. And remember: the best part of EntreCon isn’t just what you learn—it’s who you meet and what you’ll do with it afterward.

Find out more about EntreCon 2025 here: http://www.entreconpensacola.com