2019 ENTREPRENEUR AND SMALL BUSINESS CONFERENCE

FULL CONFERENCE AGENDA

  

08:30am to 09:00am - Registration/Breakfast/Networking

 

09:00am to 09:45am - Opening Ceremony (Rm: Lear Auditorium)

  • ZaLonya Allen, PhD, National Entrepreneurs Association 
  • Dr. Jeffrey Stoltman, Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Programs, WSU Mike Ilitch School of Business  
  • Tommey Walker, The Walker Rules to Success: The Story of Detroit VS Everybody


09:45am to 10:00am - Exhibitor/Vendor Networking Break 


10:00am to 10:45pm - Breakout Sessions - Round One 

  • Millennials Talk Tech Panel: NEW Strategies to Grow Your Business (Rm: Auditorium) 
  • Instant Credibility: How to Launch a Podcast in Your Niche (Rm 237)
  • Money and Matrix: Developing Interactive Dashboards to Measure Your Company's Success (Rm 241)


10:45am to 11:00am - Exhibitor/Vendor Networking Break 


11:00am to 11:45am - Breakout Sessions - Round Two 

  • Google Digital Skills for Everyday Tasks (Rm: Auditorium)
  • Tech Resources for Entrepreneurs (Rm: 241)
  • Business Finances: Understanding Your Money (Rm: 237)


12:00pm to 12:45pm - Power Networking Lunch 

Catered by Aramark


12:45am to 1:00pm - Exhibitor/Vendor Networking Break 


1:00pm to 01:45pm – Breakout Sessions - Round Three

  • Reach Customers Online with Google (Rm: Auditorium)
  • Innovative Ways to Power Up Your Funding (Rm: 237)
  • Power Up Your Online Networking (Rm: 241)


01:45am to 2:00pm - Exhibitor/Vendor Networking Break 


02:00pm to 02:45pm - Closing Ceremony (Rm: Lear Auditorium) 

  • Entrepreneur and Small Business Awards Presentation, Kevin Ketels
  • Closing Keynote, Paul Glantz, Chairman of Emagine Entertainment

Round One Session Descriptions

Millennials Talk Tech: Strategies to Grow your Business

 Facilitator: Amanda Hill, Community Outreach: Better Business Bureau 

Join in on the conversation as some of Metro Detroit's most celebrated millennials, who grew up in the height of the tech boom, discuss how they are using technology  to start  and grow businesses faster than ever.

Instant Credibility: How to Launch a Podcast In Your Niche

Facilitator: Robin Kinnie, President of Motor City Woman 

Podcasting started as an extension of talk radio. Now podcasting is a powerful medium. From celebrities to big brands, everyone is launching a podcast to connect with consumers, expand brand recognition and cultivate connections. This session will share how small businesses can leverage podcasting leading to instant credibility, increased visibility and customer satisfaction.

Money & Matrix: Developing Interactive Dashboards to Measure Your Company's Success

Facilitator: Paul Jones, Director at Goldman Sachs

During this panel discussion we will take you on a journey where you will learn how to ensure you and your team can determine the level and reason for your success on a real time basis by developing interactive dashboards. The process will include: targeting key performance indicators (KPIs) best suited for their business, identifying data sources and then determining how to effectively measure those KPI's on a interactive dashboard. We will also explore various platforms small businesses can use, including Google Sheets. The panelists will represent a variety of industries and sectors.

Round Two Session Descriptions

Google Digital Skills for Everyday Tasks

 Facilitator: Angelina Darrisaw, Google Trainer/Founder of C Suite Coach 

Learn how to manage work and life tasks more effectively using Google tools. Whether you want to build a budget, create a meeting agenda or organize your priorities, these best practices will boost your productivity. (bring your laptop)

Tech Resources for Entrepreneurs

 Facilitator: Thanh Tran, Founder of AccelerateKid

Explore free online and offline tools available to help you grow your business. You'll learn about free apps, software tools, entrepreneur training, coaching and more.  

Business Finances: Understanding Your Money

Facilitator: Marcus Jackson, Community Development at CIBC

A panel of financial experts discuss the importance of financial literacy for business owners. Learn best practices for managing your money and achieving profitability. This session will include a Q and A session and business card exchange. 

Round Three Session Descriptions

Reach Customers Online With Google

Facilitator: Angelina Darrisaw, Google Trainer/Founder of C Suite Coach

Learn how customers find your business online and how to promote your business using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Smart Campaigns in Google Ads. (bring your laptop)

Innovative Ways to Power Up Your Funding

Facilitator: Monica Wheat, Managing Director at Backstage Capital

Discover new ways to enhance your funding efforts online from venture catalyst Monica Wheat. She will also discuss programs available to help you understand how to get funding, where to find funding and what investors look for when reviewing companies.  

Power Up Your Online Networking

 Facilitator: Jessie Metzler, Founder of All Social Jessie

  Professional networking online is quickly becoming as popular, if not more popular than attending networking events in person. During this session you'll learn the best ways to meet, follow up and maintain professional relationships that increase business using popular social media sites.