Wednesday Dec. 13 7:30AM - 1PM
We know that a small business owner's time is precious and investing time to attend a conference has to deliver value.
The Small Business Academy was created for existing businesses, startups and those just at the planning or exploration stage.
In half a day you can:
- learn about funding and business resources,
- meet lenders and technical assistance providers,
- and sit down with other business owners and experts to discuss key topics.
Best of all the event is free to attend with free parking at the Potawatomi Hotel and Conference Center in Milwaukee.
Event Agenda 7:30 AM Registration, Breakfast, Networking
Come early and enjoy a complementary continental breakfast while networking with other attendees.
8:00 AM Welcome Session
The Small Business Academy kicks-off with a welcome, overview of the day's agenda and introductions. Details on the day's sessions and roundtables will be covered.
8:30 AM Workshop - Business and Funding Resources
This workshop covers the wide range of resources available to help you fund and grow your business.
Learn how to navigate the so-called 'Alphabet Soup' of business development. Overviews of these
resources will be provided along with a handy reference guide for future reference.
9:15 AM Resource Booths & Networking
Spend some time before the break-out sessions to visit over a dozen business and lending resource
booths lining the conference hallways. These will be open again during breaks and from noon to 1 PM.
9:30 AM Choice of Breakout Sessions
Two breakout options are offered: - Workshop for startups - Workshop for existing businesses
10:15 AM Resource Booths & Networking
A short break allows time to visit more resource booths, network and get ready for the small group
round-table discussions.
10:30 AM Roundtable Discussions - 1st Session
Key business topics will be discussed in small round-table groups of 8 to 10 people including an
experienced business owner or expert on the topic.Table assignments will be on an first-response first-
serve basis when registering online.
11:00 AM Roundtable Discussions - 2nd Session
The round table topics will be repeated again giving each attendee the opportunity to cover two topics
in this highly engaging and informative format.
11:30 AM Industry Roundtables
Registration data will be used to select the industry roundtables based on the number of attendees
representing each industry. Past roundtables included construction, retail operations, real estate and
professional services. Other industries might be transportation/logistics, childcare/senior care,
manufacturing, housing, IT, medical, education and training.
Noon Resource Booths and Networking
The Academy wraps-up with an opportunity to visit the resource booths and continue making
connections with other attendees.
