Michigan Celebrates Small Business 2026: Summit & Luncheon
If you’re building, growing, or supporting a Michigan small business, this Summit is for you.
- Small business owners & founders at any stage—from startup to second‑stage growth
- Entrepreneurs and innovators ready to learn, connect, or compete in the Pitch Competition
- Business leaders and teams focused on leadership, operations, talent, and growth
- Second‑stage companies looking for strategy, peer connection, and momentum
- Ecosystem partners & supporters committed to Michigan’s small business success
Here’s what to expect:
Education & Connection
Justin Ayers – AI on a Budget: Practical Automation Strategies
Jason Dodge – Discovered, Not Clicked – AI Search Visibility
Lisa Cooper – Building Your First HR Function
Kim Bode – The Hard Costs of Soft Skills
Dr. Brenda Oldham – Profit Power Moves
Jeffrey J Smith – Creative Pathways to Engage Research Universities
Matthew Russell – Digital Transformation or Digital Chaos?
Camron Gnass – Brand Clarity Lab
Caitlin Moyer – Talent & Culture Transformation
Elena Stegemann – Fueling What’s Next: Turning Strong Culture Into Scalable Performance
Jessica Starks – How to Build a Sellable Business
Cynthia Kay – Should You Stay or Should You Go?
Rich Miller – Building Your Security Stack
Joshua Watson – From Chaos to Clarity: CRM for Growth
Todd Gustafson – Navigating Leadership in Change
Patti Eisenbraun – Rise and Thrive: Building a Mindset that Works for You
Sheri Welsh – Finders, Keepers: Retaining Talent
Nikki Thompson Frazier – SYSTEMS: Roadmap to Sustainable Growth
Lunch & Connection
All attendees are invited to join us for lunch and networking to kick off the Summit! Stay tuned for details on our lunch presentation.
