Arvada Chamber’s Inaugural Business Summit Offers Professional Growth, Valuable Connections

From management inspiration to young professional development, there was something for everyone at the Arvada Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Business Summit. The one-day conference was held on October 30 at Arvada Events at the Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities. The 2019 Business Summit offered a variety of educational sessions to help attendees grow personally and professionally, along with two keynote speakers and a networking happy hour.

The keynote presenters were Tricia Downing and Patty Silverstein. A self-proclaimed “roll” model, Downing combines her skills as a disability advocate and Team USA Paralympic Athlete, helping individuals and businesses transform in critical moments and solve problems by thinking differently. In her keynote, Downing shared how she learned to discover her inner champion when facing adversity, both in the workplace or her personal life. Silverstein is the president of Development Research Partners, a Jefferson County-based company specializing in economic research, and she provided economic update for metro Denver at the Business Summit.

Breakout session topics at the Business Summit included pathways for executives, small businesses, human resources, marketing, and young professionals. Speakers included business leaders from various industries across Arvada.

Opening Keynote | Tricia Downing: Discover Your Inner Champion

When it comes to facing adversity, whether in the workplace or our personal lives, mental toughness is one of the most important assets an individual can possess. Being able to handle difficult situations with confidence and grace is a skill Tricia has learned through elite athletics and as the survivor of a tragic accident, which left her paralyzed from the chest down. Known for her resiliency and positive spirit, Tricia helps people and organizations learn to navigate the events and situations, which threaten to take us out of the game, replacing anxiety, fear and stress with confidence and hope. She is well qualified to lead by example as she has made remarkable comebacks in both sports and her personal life. She is the founder and Executive Director of The Cycle of Hope—a non-profit organization—helping female wheelchair users stage their own comebacks and redefine able. Additionally, she is a speaker, author and 2016 Team USA Paralympian.

Opening Keynote | 8:00 – 9:00 AM
Tricia Downing: Discover Your Inner Champion

When it comes to facing adversity, whether in the workplace or our personal lives, mental toughness is one of the most important assets an individual can possess. Being able to handle difficult situations with confidence and grace is a skill Tricia has learned through elite athletics and as the survivor of a tragic accident, which left her paralyzed from the chest down. Known for her resiliency and positive spirit, Tricia helps people and organizations learn to navigate the events and situations, which threaten to take us out of the game, replacing anxiety, fear and stress with confidence and hope. She is well qualified to lead by example as she has made remarkable comebacks in both sports and her personal life. She is the founder and Executive Director of The Cycle of Hope—a non-profit organization—helping female wheelchair users stage their own comebacks and redefine able. Additionally, she is a speaker, author and 2016 Team USA Paralympian.

Morning Breakout Session 1 | 9:15 – 10:15 AM

What Can Beer Teach You? (pathways: entrepreneur, small business, marketing) | Presented by Kline’s Beer Hall
Presenters: Chris Hill (Odyssey Beerwerks), Christine Wares (Kokopelli Beer Company), Gavin Estes (New Image Brewing), Andrew Duvall (Resolute Brewing) and Jeff Tyler (Spice Trade Beer Company)
We all know beer is delicious, but did you know it can also teach you about business? Hear from the owners of some of Arvada’s favorite breweries to learn about setting your business apart, how to thrive in a saturated market, how to work with the “co-opetition” and more!

Embracing Diversity- Removing bias and moving towards an inclusive environment (pathways: HR, business owner)
Presenters: Tricia Downing (Redefining Able) and Erin Lemmons (Eolàs HR)
Join Tricia Downing and Erin Lemmons for a candid conversation about disability, inclusion, and ensuring your work environment is bias-free.

“I’m a Boss… Now What?” (pathways: young professional, HR)
Presenters: Josh Ingram (Colchin Automotive), Michelle Haney (Red Rocks Community College), and Dena Tesch (Insperity)
Geared towards the recently promoted or those on the management track, this session will help you succeed as a manager and teach you critical leadership skills. Whether you’ve been in your role for a month or a few years, you are sure to gain valuable insight from our speakers who were in your position not too long ago.

Morning Breakout Session 2 | 10:30 – 11:30 AM

Lessons from the Corner Office (pathways: small business, HR, executive) | presented by Insperity
Presenters: Larry Barker (Sonsio), Pete Lindgren (Former CEO Otterbox), Heather Bulk (Special Aerospace Services), Dan Kester (Sooper CU), and David Jones (Sonsio)
Learn from some of Arvada’s most successful CEOs- how they got where they are, leadership advice, how to turn failure into success and more! Come with your business questions for these amazing leaders!

DIY Marketing (pathways: marketing, small business, entrepreneur)

Presenters: Chris Woodley (Mountain Media Production Co.), Denny Basham (Subsilio Consulting), and Sara Fulmer (Mondo Solutions)
Trying to market your business on a shoestring budget? This session is for you! Join us to learn how to use video, social media and other marketing tools that don’t cost big bucks to help your business stand out from the crowd!

I got 99 Problems but Employees Aren’t One (pathways: HR, business owner, executive) | presented by The Leavitt Group
Presenters: Donna Shannon (Personal Touch Career Services) and Noelle Oberg (City of Arvada)
Want to hire – and keep – the best employees? Learn hiring, onboarding and retention tips and tricks from the pros!

Lunch and Keynote | 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Patty Silverstein: 2020 Vision: Economic Update for Metro Denver
As we set our sights on 2020, is our vision crystal clear or clouded by contradictory information? Slower growth in China and other key trading partners, tariffs and trade disputes, and political uncertainty in many parts of the globe mean a high degree of uncertainty in the national economic outlook. But current economic data reveals a situation of continued expansion at a slower pace. What should business leaders and consumers believe, and how should they plan and budget for the coming year? This presentation will help to bring economic conditions into focus as we discuss current and projected growth trends at the national, state, and seven-county Metro Denver level. The presentation features employment and industry trends, population growth and consumer activity, and the residential and commercial real estate markets.

Afternoon Breakout Session 1 | 1:15 – 2:15 PM

Adulting Ain’t Easy (pathways: young professional)
Presenters: Vanessa Kendrick (Your Castle Real Estate) Rachel Sheikh (RBS Law), and Brett Bengtson (Bengtson Wealth Management)
This session designed for young professionals aims to each you those things you should have learned in school, but probably didn’t. Is now a good time for you to buy real estate and where do you start? Should you have a will? Should I be investing in my company’s 401k or diversifying elsewhere? Get these questions, and more, answered at Adulting 101.

Is Networking Dead? (pathways: marketing, entrepreneur, small business)
Presenters: Phil Pelto (My Firestorm), Nicole Bedig-Lamb (The Snarky Sweet Cake Chick) and Ron Slinger (Red Rocks Community College)
Learn how to network beyond shaking hands and exchanging business cards. How to build genuine relationships to grow your network, extend your influence and help your business thrive!

Bulletproof Business (pathways: executive, HR) | presented by All Secure Lock & Security
Presenters: Kristian Fackenthall (Delta Restoration), Troy Staples (Red Cross), Hilary Taylor (Onset Solutions), Aaron Buemi (Arvada PD) and Enessa Janes (City of Arvada)
What do you do when the worst-case scenario happens? Whether it’s a fire, flood, cyber attack, active shooter, break-in, or act of God, is your business prepared to weather any storm? Join us for a panel discussion on how to protect your business, employees (and customers) from mayhem.

Afternoon Breakout Session 2 | 2:30 – 3:30 PM

Take a Stand (pathways: HR, business owner, executive) | presented by Apex Center
Presenters: Dave Runyon (CityUnite), Kelly Dunkin (Community First Foundation), and Jasmina Petrovic (Sustainainability Expert)
71% of professionals say they would take a pay cut to work for a company with a mission they believe in. This forum explores strategies for conscious capitalism, goodwill, and sustainability.

Talkin’ ‘Bout my Generation (pathways: HR, small business owner, executive)
Presenters: Drew Gordon (The Bluegrass Lounge) and Karen Brown (Age Friendly Workplace Initiative)
Employing Millennials and how the older generation can contribute to the workplace. Why having an age-diverse workforce can be beneficial to your company. Identifying strengths, what motivates and how to incentivize employees of different age ranges!

Wine and Whine (pathways: anyone with a business problem they need solved!)
Presenters: Mollie Gilligan (Payroll Vault) and Edmundo Araujo-Ortiz (Community Banks of Colorado)
Need capital funding? Searching for work-life balance? Business growing too quickly, or not quickly enough? Where should you spend your limited marketing dollars? Bring these questions and so much more to our session on business woes. Our group of successful CEOs, entrepreneurs and business experts will answer your questions while you “wine and whine”!