Kansas Citians will be among the tens of thousands of people coming together worldwide next week to mark Global Entrepreneurship Week.</p><p>The weeklong celebration, set for Nov. 16-22, was co-founded last year by the Kansas City-based Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. </p><p>Make Your Mark, a business-led, government-backed organization in the United Kingdom, is also a co-founder.</p><p>The event, which will encompass individual classes, seminars and competitions in 81 countries and all 50 states, is an important reminder of how entrepreneurship can help revive a still sputtering world economy, organizers said.</p><p>Global Entrepreneurship Week &ldquo;sends a powerful message to the world that entrepreneurs are key to creating the innovations, jobs and growth that will lead us out of this recession and on the road to economic recovery,&rdquo; Kauffman Foundation president and chief executive Carl Schramm said in a statement.</p><p>The week puts an emphasis on encouraging young people to pursue entrepreneurial ideas and opportunities. </p><p>During the week, the Kauffman Foundation will host the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards program. </p><p>Students from around the world who own and run businesses while attending a college or university will compete by presenting their business plans to judges.</p><p>But events are aimed at all ages. </p><p>In Kansas City, events include:</p><p> &bull;FastTrac to the Future, an event designed for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs who want to get advice about a business idea or challenge through &ldquo;curbside consulting&rdquo; sessions with experienced entrepreneurs. Event is 4-6 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center. Register at www.kauffman. org/gewft2009.</p><p>&bull;Entrepreneurs in Motion conference, sponsored by the Lee&rsquo;s Summit Chamber of Commerce, with presentations, panel discussions, a business showcase and opportunities for networking. Event is 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 17 at the University of Central Missouri Summit Center in Lee&rsquo;s Summit. Register at <a href="http://www.lschamber.com/pdf/gewregform.pdf">www.lschamber.com/pdf/gewregform.pdf</a>.</p><p>&bull;Women entrepreneurs panel discussion at The Central Exchange, featuring Angela Brown, founder and CEO of Workplace Spa; MaryLou Jacoby, owner of Warehouse One Inc.; and Sheridan Sechter, publisher of Flourish magazine. Event is 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 18. Register at <a href="http://www.centralexchange.org">www.centralexchange.org</a>.</p><p>&bull;The Kansas City Small and Home Business Connection Expo, featuring speakers, workshops and vendor booths. In its third year, the free expo is expected to draw 1,000 participants. Event is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Johnson County Administration Building in Olathe. Learn more at <a href="http://www.kcshbcexpo.org">www.kcshbcexpo.org</a>.</p><p>&bull;GovFest, a daylong event designed to give entrepreneurs access to information about agencies that provide services and support to local entrepreneurs. The Johnson County Library and KCSourceLink sponsor the free event. Event is 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Johnson County Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park. Learn more at <a href="http://www.jocolibrary.org/govfest">www.jocolibrary.org/govfest</a>.</p><p>&bull;A free screening of the documentary &ldquo;Ten9Eight&rdquo; for educators and students at the AMC Mainstreet and AMC Parkway 14 theaters. Event is 10 a.m. Nov. 12. For a list of screenings, go to ten9eight. com/film-dates-reviews.