April 5, 2023 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM | Livonia
Join the Michigan Chamber for its inaugural Small Business Summit. This day-long event features interactive sessions, high-powered discussions and networking opportunities, and cutting-edge and actionable advice on the most pressing issues facing small- and medium-sized businesses today. This event has something for everyone, including business owners and other professionals working in sales, human resources, finance, marketing, and more.
Early bird registration is now open!
Exhibitor Opportunity – For $500 your business will receive:
Logo recognition as “Exhibitor” on online and social media marketing
Verbal Recognition during the event
Reserved exhibitor table Includes complete access for one day registration to attend full-day programming with small business leaders
To become an exhibitor, fill out the form today. For any questions contact Amanda Toy, VP of Membership and Partnerships at 517-371-7642 or atoy@michamber.com.
AGENDA:
8:30a.m. - Caffeinate+Network
9:15a.m. - Welcome Remarks
Greg Stevenson
Director of Small & Medium Business Customer Products, Consumers Energy
9:30a.m. - Introduction to MEDC and Overview of State Resources for Small Businesses
Quentin L. Messer, Jr.
Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer - Chair, Michigan Strategic Fund
9:45a.m. - Managing the Modern Workforce
Christy McDonald
Special Correspondent and Anchor, WDIV-TV 4, NBC MODERATOR
Amy Bouque
Chief People Officer, Kelly Services
Ryan Hundt
Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Works! Association
Julie Mann
Chief Human Resources Officer, NEOGEN
Job hopping, quiet quitting and The Great Resignation have grabbed headlines this past year. It seems clear that there’s a cultural shift happening around work, but what’s truly going on? This discussion will look at workplace trends and offer ideas for how employers can best support intergenerational teams and keep employees engaged and motivated for long–term retention and success – whether in-person, remote or in a hybrid arrangement.
10:30a.m. - Networking Break
11a.m. - Driving Growth Through Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategies
There are more opportunities to reach your audiences than ever using online tools from fast-changing social media to search advertising, website display, connected TVs, streaming services, and native ads. The options can be overwhelming but being armed with the popular tactics and best practices and knowing what questions to ask will ensure you’re investing your dollars efficiently.
Katrina Turnbow
Founder/CEO, Kanopi Social Digital Marketing Firm. Detroit Digital Coach, Google
11:45a.m. - Networking Break
12:15p.m. - Lunch+Learn: Weathering a Crisis with Your Reputation Intact
Sara Wurfel
Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, Michigan Chamber, MODERATOR
Amy Adamy
Public Relations & Marketing Manager, Lansing Board of Water & Light
Matthew Friedman
Founding Partner, Tanner Friedman
John Truscott
CEO, Truscott Rossman
As hard as we might try to avoid them, bad things can happen to good businesses. Accidents happen, employees and employers make mistakes, and an incident can go viral, but how companies behave when the worst happens often determines the long-term effects of any crisis just as much as the event itself. Our speakers will provide guidance on what you can do to weather a storm while preserving your reputation in the process.
1p.m. - Networking Break
1:30p.m. - Strategic Sales Success
Do your tools or techniques need a refresh to better identify and reach customers in this new business climate? Are sales not your thing, and yet you need to increase revenue? Are you hoping to pull the biggest topics of the day on management, marketing strategy and reputation full circle? This engaging keynote will provide the skills needed by you and your team to grow sales, secure your customers, and give them the experience they’re looking for, or perhaps didn’t know they needed. Renowned strategic advisor Shari Pash will help you weave the pieces of a successful strategy into one full picture that can translate to leads and sales for your unique market.
Shari Pash
Founder, Strategic Solutions for Growth
2:15p.m. - Networking Break
2:45p.m. - Building a Resilient and Recession-Ready Small Business
Chuck Stokes
Editorial/Public Affairs Director, WXYZ, Moderator
Chip Hoebeke
Director of Consulting, Rehmann
Joel Rahn
EVP Commercial Lending, Independent Bank
Jeff Allen
Principal, Maner Costerisan
Worried about a recession, rising interest rates and gas prices, and the stock market? You’re not alone. This session will explore actionable strategies to help your small business survive – and emerge stronger. We’ll explore ways to be flexible and creative in your business strategies, communicate with employees about economic uncertainty and make strategic cashflow and investment decisions to propel your business and help it grow.