The DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce will host its Small Business Summit on Wednesday, Oct. 14, bringing together entrepreneurs, business owners, and community partners for a day focused on innovation, funding, and opportunity.
The summit will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Emory Conference Center Hotel, with registration and breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. The event is sponsored by the DeKalb County Office of the CEO in partnership with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and the Decide DeKalb Development Authority.
The Small Business Summit will feature four panels addressing key topics for small business owners:
Do You Have a Business or Hobby?: Participants will explore what it takes to turn an idea or hobby into a successful business.
Featuring Kimber Armstrong, Strategic Partnerships Lead at the Better Business Bureau; Jennell K. Taylor, the Economic Development Special andVeteran Business Development Officer at the Small Business Administration; and Leigh Smith, Business Consultant at the UGA Small Business Development Center.
AI for Small Businesses: This panel will examine how entrepreneurs can use artificial intelligence to work smarter and improve their businesses.
Featuring M. Shawn Arnold, Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships at Stetson-Hatcher School of Business; Bart Layton, the CEO of AI Guardian; and Brian Moody, the Founder of Raven Managed Services.
Funding for Small Businesses: This panel will provide information on financing and funding opportunities available to entrepreneurs.
Featuring Geoffrey Loften, Equitable Economic Development Program Manager at Decide DeKalb; Glenn Bachman, Business and Financial Advisor of ACE Loans; Kevin Cooke, the Georgia District Director of the Small Business Administration; Rosemarie A. Drake, Management and Program Analyst of the Georgia District Office-OFO at the Small Business Administration; and Allen Mitchell, the Director of Community Development.
How to Do Business with DeKalb County: This panel will offer insight into procurement opportunities and how businesses can work with county government.
Featuring Larry Labbe, the Chief Fire Marshal at the DeKalb County Fire Rescue; ShaTausa Edwards, Procurement Operations Manager at the DeKalb County Purchasing and Contracting Department; Juliana Njoku, the Director of Planning and Sustainability; Phyllis Douglas, Esq., LSBE Program Manager at the DeKalb County Purchasing and Contracting Department; and Michele Butler, Chief Procurement Officer at DeKalb County Purchasing.
This year’s summit will feature a pitch competition that puts five DeKalb businesses on one stage. The first-place winner will receive a $16,500 Business Growth Package that includes strategic consulting, brand strategy, mentorship, and a featured spotlight at the summit.
Registration for the Small Business Summit is $50 and closes on Oct. 13.
