The Road to 2026 Picks Up Speed in January + New O2O Event Experiences Added to the Calendar
We’re kicking off 2026 with two new Road to 2026 events featuring Mike Cox (R) and Sheriff Chris Swanson (D).
SBAM President & CEO Brian Calley will be moderating both of these conversations alongside Charity Dean, President & CEO of the Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA). These dynamic discussions are part of our ongoing commitment to amplify the voice of Michigan’s small business community on the issues that matter most.
We plan to announce dates for our final two candidate conversations in the very near future – stay tuned!
Meet Mike Cox (R)
January 21 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Lansing
Mike Cox served as Michigan’s 52nd Attorney General from 2003 to 2011 as the first Republican to hold the office in 50 years. In office, Cox oversaw consumer protection, criminal prosecutions, and statewide initiatives, including the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. Cox is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served as a Wayne County prosecutor, and founded his own law firm where he continues to advocate for his clients. He and his wife live in Livonia and have four children and two grandchildren.
Tickets for this event are $30 each, or free for SBAM’s VIP and Elite members.
Register Today | ||
Meet Sheriff Chris Swanson (D) at Kent Region O2O
January 28 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Grand Rapids
Chris Swanson is the Sheriff of Genesee County and a longtime public safety professional. Over more than 30 years in local service, he has held a range of roles throughout his community including as a police officer, paramedic, business owner, and professor. He was elected Sheriff in 2020 and reelected in 2024, overseeing one of Michigan’s largest sheriff’s offices.
We’re pairing this program with an Owner2Owner (O2O) meetup—a relaxed, welcoming space to connect with fellow small business owners, trade ideas, and hear quick updates from SBAM’s team. This event is FREE and open to all small business owners.
Register Today | ||
O2O Event – Macomb Region February 11 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm Shelby Township This O2O event features Michigan by the Bottle, bringing together 15 acclaimed boutique wineries from across the state. Guests will enjoy a curated selection of limited‑production, award‑winning Michigan wines paired with locally sourced small bites—an opportunity to experience the best of Michigan wine while building valuable business connections. |
| |||||||||
O2O Event – Great Lakes Bay Region February 26 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm Saginaw This O2O event is combined with a Saginaw Spirit hockey game! We will begin our program promptly at 6:00 p.m. with a tour of the faciltity by the owners of the Saginaw Spirit Hockey team. Following the tour we will head to our suite to watch the game at 7:05 p.m. |
| |||||||||
