Priceline Founder to Speak at Smith School Speaker Series

Jeff Hoffman, a founding member of Priceline.com and co-founder of ColorJar, is set to speak at the Robert H. Smith School of Business on April 20, 2017, as part of its Dingman Center Speaker Series. According to the school, the series of motivational speakers aims to inspire students by featuring successful business figures who have used an entrepreneurial mindset to advance their careers.Hoffman’s entrepreneurial way of thinking has be outlined in TEDx talks such as “The Power of Wonder.” The renaissance man has also authored books like “Scale: Seven Proven Principles to Grow Your Business and Get Your Life Back” and has worked as a film producer and a music producer.

“We can’t introduce entrepreneurship early enough to students, because entrepreneurship is a mindset, not a job,” Hoffman said. “It’s the skillset of change and self-determination, and entrepreneurial skills enable students to design their own futures and control their destiny.”

Dingman Center Executive Director Elana Fine noted how having someone like Hoffman connect with current business students is a great and inspiring opportunity for the Smith community.

“A lot of people come to see a speaker to feel inspired by their success as an entrepreneur, but Jeff will empower our students to solve problems they face every day,” Fine said, adding, “He will inspire our students to go find an idea in daily life and think like an entrepreneur, even if they aren’t an entrepreneur yet.”

Hoffman is set to speak on April 20 from 6-7 p.m. in Frank Auditorium located in Van Munching Hall. The speech will be followed by a 10-minute Q&A. Register here to attend the event.

Past Dingman Center Speaker Series guests have included Sean Skelley, the entrepreneur who founded Best Buy’s Geek Squad, and Smith alumnus Andy Enfield, the head coach of the USC Trojan’s men’s basketball team.

regions: Baltimore / Washington, DC

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