GREENSBORO -- Business leaders across the state were in Greensboro on Tuesday to talk about building a successful business climate.

The 2008 North Carolina Entrepreneurship Summit draws attention to the need for communities across the state to help encourage business development.

“For me this is the right place to be. Starting a business here was kind of a dream of mine," said Dustin Keene, CEO of Keen Innovations. "When I dreamt that I would have a business, it would be here.”

Two years ago, Keene started his own video production company, a decision he says he will never regret.

"If you're an entrepreneur and you're a startup business owner, I think it is the most challenging career path you could ever take, but I think it's the most rewarding as well," Keene added.

Those business professionals hoping to have similar success met at the summit. It is designed to bring people together who work with small businesses.

“It raises awareness of the number of small businesses that are in the area, it helps the lawmakers to understand the initiatives that are out there and the initiatives that may need more support,” explained Kathy Elliott, the vice president of small business for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.

While the event is not generally attended by a lot of small business owners, organizers say those who do come find a wealth of information.

“They learn about the resources that are available to them, and a lot of small businesses are not aware of that,” Elliott said.

But Keene says it's also an opportunity to show what all the small businesses working together can do.

“To see all of the great talent that there is in the area come together for a reason to say, 'Hey, this is who we are, this is what we have available. Let's come together and let's grow this community into something greater than it is,' is just a tremendous opportunity,” Keene said.