“We believe that we are the first member-based community to securely connect buyers and sellers,” said Peder Blohm, founder of MyNewMarketplace.com. “We have implemented measures to ensure that people are who they say they are. We don’t want our members to experience the issues and complaints of Craigslist users.”

According to Blohm, when the beta site was launched, it was planned that advertisers would be charged on a per ad basis. However, following comments and recommendations from website advertisers and visitors, it was determined that offering a secure member-based online community is more appealing to people and businesses that buy and sell online.

Unlike eBay and other classifieds which charge advertisers for each transaction and a percentage of the sales price, MyNewMarketplace.com doesn’t get involved in the transaction between buyers and sellers. Rather, individuals and businesses can sign up as members to advertise products, services and jobs. There are no personal ads.

MyNewMarketplace Homepage

The cost of membership on MyNewMarketplace.com is based on the number of ad listings. Individual membership ranges from $5.95 per month for up to 15 ad listings, to $9.95 per month for up to 40 ad listings. There is no cost of membership for buyers.

Business memberships on MyNewMarketplace.com also differ from other sites. Member businesses can include their entire inventory in one location under “Shops” or “Services.” Individual items are also listed in the “Classifieds” section. A member business that has an online shop can link visitors directly from MyNewMarketplace.com to its own shopping cart.

One of the first major Detroit area businesses to sign up for membership on MyNewMarketplace.com is LaFontaine Import Center.

“For a business or dealership like LaFontaine with a large inventory, the cost of membership is just a few cents per vehicle,” said Blohm. Business memberships range from $19.95 to a maximum of $59.95 per month, which includes up to one thousand ad listings.

Blohm acknowledges that most of the content currently on the site is from southeast Michigan, while the company works to grow locally and regionally before expanding nationwide.

To grow membership and increase ad listings on the website during its re-launch, free three-month trial memberships are currently available for individuals and businesses.

“This site was designed and developed by a dedicated team of professionals and entrepreneurs in Michigan,” added Blohm. “Why not start by inviting others to showcase the outstanding products and services available here?”

Rick Snyder- Innovator and Venture Capitalist

Rick Snyder will be one of the keynote speakers.  Mr. Snyder was formerly president of Gateway Computer, and the first chairman of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.  Snyder is currently the Chairman and CEO of Ardesta, a venture capital firm that invests in innovative startups.  Since 1991, his primary business activities have focused on the technology industry and the development of emerging and high growth companies. Rick also recently announced his candidacy for Michigan Governor “because he believes it is time for a leader with a strong entrepreneurial background to reinvent Michigan.”

From 1991 to 1997, Rick served as executive vice president and then president and COO of Gateway, Inc. His responsibilities included overseeing all company operations and assisting in the strategic direction of the company. During his tenure at Gateway, the company grew from a privately held $500 million company to a NYSE-traded organization with revenues in excess of $6 billion. In 1997, Rick founded and led Avalon Investments, Inc., a venture capital company targeted at investments in technology-oriented ventures. Avalon was established as a $100 million fund targeting early stage technology investments. From 1997 to 2000, it invested in 24 companies, including several that were started based on technology transferred from universities.

Other keynote speakers include:

• Dr. Roger Newton, President and CEO of Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
• Lesa Mitchel, Vice President of the Kauffman Foundation
• Vinita Gupta, Chairman and CEO, Quick Eagle Networks
• Gary C. Peters, U.S. Congressman, 9th District, Michigan
• Subhendu Guha, Ph.D., President and COO, United Solar Ovonic
• Daniel Mulhern
• Josh Linkner, Founder and CEO of ePrize
• Ned Staebler, Vice President of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation
• Robbie Hardy, Consultant with the Kauffman Foundation

Additionally, TiECon Midwest 2009 features include:

• Power Connect – a focused networking session attendees and 50 industry experts, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
• Business Boot Camp – to train bold entrepreneurs with technical ingenuity and groundbreaking ideas to consider the practical aspects of managing a company. Four sessions will be led by battle-tested industry experts focused on: raising funds, legal issues, building teams, scaling sales, and creating awareness among targeted audiences through marketing and PR campaigns.
• High-powered keynote speakers from all over the world.
• A Business Plan Competition

As Michigan businesses struggle in the current economy,  the TiE Midwest conference in Dearborn provides a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, explore new businesses, discuss emerging technologies, share growth strategies and obtain insight from global business leaders, community leaders and worldwide experts.

Leading the Business Bootcamp will be:

• Randal Charlton, Executive Director of Detroit Tech Town
• Patrick M. O’Keefe, Founder of O’Keefe and Associates
• Joe Urbany, Professor of Marketing at the University of Notre Dame
• Terry Bean, Founder of  Motor City Connect
• Michael Gaiss, Senior VP for Highland Capital Partners

Online registration and more information are immediately available for TiECon Midwest 2009 at http://www.tieconmidwest.org and http://www.detroit.tie.org.

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For more information about the conference, please contact Nicole Raymond, TiE Detroit (248)254-4013, (248)631-9263, or via e-mail at nicole.raymond@detroit.tie.org.

TiE is a global, not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurs across its international network sponsored by top Venture Capital Firms, and Fortune 500 corporations; spread across 53 chapters in 12 countries comprising 1800 experienced entrepreneurs and business executives as charter members, 12000 aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals as members. TiE has grown to become the world’s largest non-profit organization for entrepreneurs.