The Young Entrepreneurs Summit left all of us in awe. I remember that I couldn’t help but be enthusiastic as I welcomed thousands of participants during my speech. I wish that everybody who came could have gotten inside the World Trade Center sooner, but the lines to the doors stretched far, reaching beyond the gates. There were so many individuals who decided to take that step in taking control of their lives on that day, and we were really astounded.

We really owe it to the many people who helped us make this event successful. Gibo Teodoro gave us the privilege of a rare appearance and gave a compelling, extemporaneous speech to students who were all ears. Manny V. Pangilinan, whom we tried to get to speak at the event for weeks, gave insightful lessons about entrepreneurship in the current business landscape. Then, of course, we’re thankful to the speakers we know the youth listen to today, and true enough, they were such a hit that the hall roared with laughter and applause for every important point they made.

And if the speakers rocked the World Trade Center hard that day, our celebrity guests seemed as if they could tear the walls down as the audience left their seats and went wild over Phil and James Younghusband, Sam Concepcion, Gab Valenciano and Morissette Amon.

To balance all the excitement from our special guests, we also organized forums, during which we saw students really take down notes. We pooled together successful entrepreneurs and experts to collectively share how we can develop today’s youth and how we can instill key entrepreneurial traits in them. CHED chair Dr. Patricia Licuanan, Usec. Merly Cruz, Usec. Leon Flores, Bounty Fresh Food president Tennyson Chen, Go Negosyo trustee Esther Vibal, and IT entrep Edgardo Herbosa came and sat together in the morning forum, while Hapinoy’s Bam Aquino, Kenneth Cobonpue, Mang Inasal’s Injap Sia, Sulit.com’s RJ David, and Ystilo’s Fred Moreno spoke in the afternoon forum to offer their advice to the young people.

We also celebrated the success of our young entrepreneurs who were able to carve their own niche in the entrepreneurship landscape, through the 15 Young STARpreneurs whom I featured in my last column. They were awarded by no less than Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who represented her dad Sonny Belmonte of The Philippine STAR. And from the 15, our partners PLDT SME Nation picked four Next Gen Bossings, BPI Family Bank its BPI Kabataang Negosyante, and Multiply chose one Multipyneur.

At the end of the day, we were overwhelmed by the success and number of people who attended, which was more than what we expected and more than what the World Trade Center could accommodate. To make it up to those who traveled far and waited patiently, we’re planning to do things differently next year so we can reach out to more, especially to those who live in the provinces. From all of us at Go Negosyo, thank you very much for supporting the Young Entrepreneurs Summit.

Contact me at feedback@gonegosyo.net or my Joey Concepcion Facebook fanpage. Visit www.gonegosyo.net. Watch the top-rating entrep show Go Negosyo: Kaya Mo! on QTV every Saturday and Sunday at 8-8:30 a.m., with replays on NBN every Tuesday from 9:15-10:15 p.m. Get daily Go Negosyo Text Tips on your mobile phone by sending GONEGO to 2910.