Ignite Small Business Growth Summit

Designed for business owners ready to take the next step, this one-day experience blends expert-led sessions, hands-on workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities. You’ll gain actionable insights on hiring and workforce development, cash flow management, customer experience, and emerging tools like AI — along with opportunities to ask questions and receive real-time guidance from industry experts.

Beyond the sessions, you’ll connect with fellow entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and resource providers in an environment built for collaboration—not just conversation. From the morning keynote to the closing Power of Better Business Panel, every moment is designed to deliver practical takeaways you can apply immediately.

Whether you're refining your strategy, solving a current challenge, or positioning your business for future growth, the Ignite Small Business Growth Summit will give you the tools, clarity, and momentum to move forward with confidence.

Cost

Tickets are available for $100. With this ticket comes:

• Course materials

• Connections with fellow entrepreneurs and subject matter experts

• Coffee bar, snacks, and lunch

• Stay for the closing networking happy hour

• Attendees are entered into a drawing for a $500 travel voucher courtesy of Delta Air Lines!

Agenda

Morning keynote

• John Garrett, CEO and Founder of Community Impact News

Interactive workshops led by local business leaders and subject matter experts

• Beyond the Sale - Creating Unforgettable Customer Experiences & Turning Complaints into Connections with Skip Balch of Saleshandicapper 

• Hiring and Managing for Success with Arann Barnett of Everson Solutions

• Digital Domination: Marketing Strategies That Work with Dr. Elaine Jackson of Concordia University 

• Cash Flow Crash Course with Kristen Zinser Smith of Frost

Feature session

• AI Is Already at Work. Are You? From Generative to Agentic: A Practical Guide to What's Next with Eyal Darmon, Managing Director, Americas Public Service Data, AI & Agentic AI Lead, Accenture

 Small business growth conversation led by BBB and business leaders

• Speaker: Francois Marais, VP Sales, Better Business Bureau 

• Speaker: Danette Powell, President and CEO, Yellow Moon Productions

• Speaker: Cary Novigrod, Owner, Sierra Fence 

Breakout roundtable sessions for intimate collaboration with industry experts

• Everybody Sells. When Done Right, It Is Easy! with Skip Balch, Sales Handicapper 

• Mic Drop Marketing: Using Podcasting to Expand Reach and Authority with Sarah Dooley, AI-Empowered Mom

• Access to Capital: What Lenders Look for and How to Prepare with Audrey Perry, Comerica Bank 

• Real Social Content: AI Strategies That Don't Kill Your Brand Voice with Jennifer Mangold, The Social Growth Group

• The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Scaling with Francois Marais, Better Business Bureau 

• Entrepreneurship Can Be Lonely: Why Networking and Connecting Is Critical with Christine Kutnick, Mudita Coaching

• Teambuilding During Times of Uncertainty and Change with Sally Blue, Sally Blue Consulting 

• Banking Relationships That Work: How to Leverage Your Banker for Growth with Andria Whalon and Shelly Cruz, Comerica Bank

• Know Before You Grow: Legal Foundations for Scaling Smart with Michael Ciccolone, Blackline GC 

• Humans + Robots = Winning: How Fractional Talent is Solving Business Problems That AI Can’t with Zack Pennington, Trusty Oak

• Stop Overthinking AI: Simple Tools You Can Use Before Lunch with Llyas Salahud-din, GrantAppli 

Power of Better Business panel in partnership with Austin Business Journal

• Moderator: Bryan Mays, KVUE

• Speaker: Mike Reiner, Comerica Bank

• Speaker: Molly Cummings, WildGins Co. 

• Speaker: Joel Boehm, Vintage IT

Sponsorship information

Power of Better Business Panel Sponsor $6,000

• Participation in closing panel powered by Austin Business Journal

• Panel becomes a 6-page article in Austin Business Journal, publishing 30 days post-event

• Recognition during Opening Session

• Social media promotion

• Two tickets to event

• Logo on event materials

• Details and metrics found here: Foundation for Better Business Power of Better Business

Small Business Champion Sponsor $2,000

• Logo on event materials

• Social media promotion

• Recognition during Opening Session

• Designate your sponsorship: 

  • Coffee Bar

  • Lunch

  • Happy Hour

  • and more!