There are only a few weeks left to register for the 2024 Northern Lakes Economic Symposium & Showcase. Don’t miss out on the incredible speakers and breakout sessions we have in store for you. This is your opportunity to answer the question:

How can our businesses and communities continue to foster innovation for our region’s success now and into the future?

Northern Lakes Economic Alliance is thrilled to announce their two featured speakers for the upcoming Symposium & Showcase. 

Brian Britton – President and CEO of Kilwins Chocolates Franchise, Inc. 

The first speaker is Brian Britton, the dynamic President and CEO of Kilwins Chocolates Franchise, Inc. With a lifelong dedication to service, hospitality, and the motto “Make More Happy,” Mr. Britton brings a wealth of leadership experience to Kilwins. Prior to joining Kilwins, he oversaw 63,000 students as CEO of National Heritage Academies and held key roles at The Walt Disney Company, including Vice President of Global Park Operations. Mr. Britton’s commitment to excellence extends beyond the business world; he has served as a President Obama appointee on the Presidential Commission of Election Administration and has been recognized as a “Top 100 Under 50 Executive Leader” by Diversity MBA Magazine. With a background as a Naval Flight Officer and accolades including the Navy Commendation Medal, Mr. Britton’s diverse expertise and passion for making a positive impact make him a true leader in both business and community service. 

Jake Manthei – President of Aster Brands 

The second keynote speaker is Jacob Manthei, President of Aster Brands. With a background steeped in the entrepreneurial ethos of the Manthei family, Jacob’s journey to leadership has been driven by a deep-rooted commitment to faith, hard work, and innovation. A graduate of Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business with top honors, Jacob has led Aster Brands since 2016. Specializing in sales, marketing, and intellectual property, Aster Brands is at the forefront of creating business opportunities for concrete producers worldwide. Jacob’s extensive global travel has honed his skills in product rollouts, contract negotiations, and talent development, making him a visionary leader in his field. 

Learn more about each of our featured speakers here and don’t forget to register before May 2, 2024 by clicking the button below.

View the Full Agenda and Speakers Here BREAKOUT SESSION HIGHLIGHT   Tools for a Tight Labor Market   Current state and local demographic trends indicate that attracting the right talent to meet the needs of your organization will remain a challenge in the coming years. What can your organization do to get ahead of this challenge?   This breakout session will highlight concrete solutions that businesses and communities can implement to attract the workforce they need. Amanda Haworth of Manthei Group will share how they’ve built a company culture that keeps turnover in the single digits. Ava Attari of the MEDC will share how your business can get financial support to host STEM interns. Michele Andrews of North Central Michigan College will share how the college is attracting talent in addition to educating our workforce. After brief presentations from each speaker, they will dive into a discussion moderated by Taylar Sides of Great Lakes Energy.