Level Up: Small Business Summit 2026
Date and Time
Wednesday Oct 14, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CDT
8:30 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. Check-in opens, light breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Program
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Happy Hour
Fees/Admission
Member $80
Non-member $100
Vendor Booth Registration
Member: $100
Non-member: $150
Contact Information
563.322.1706
Send Email
Description
Running a business doesn't come with a playbook, but the right connections and insights can make all the difference. Join fellow entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals for a day focused on real-world strategies to help your business grow, adapt and stay competitive. Explore expert-led sessions on marketing, finance, operations and technology. Learn about the local resources available to support your success and connect with others who are navigating the same challenges.
You'll also dive into interactive discussions focused on the toughest issues you face and the opportunities you can leverage. Leave with fresh ideas, valuable connections and actionable insights you can put to work right away. Invest in your business. Attend Level Up.
Interested in having a vendor booth? Register to reserve a vendor booth and make valuable connections that can help grow your business. Click here to learn more.
Meet your Keynote Speaker

Ramon Ray is a small business expert, entrepreneur, author of Celebrity CEO and publisher of ZoneofGenius.com. A passionate advocate for entrepreneurs, Ray has built his career around sharing the stories of Main Street business owners and helping them grow stronger, more visible brands. As the founder of SmartHustle Media and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at ALICE, he brings firsthand experience as a business owner, having launched four companies and successfully sold two.
Recognized nationally for his expertise in technology, marketing, sales, business growth and personal branding, Ray has testified before the United States Congress, spoken at the White House and interviewed President Barack Obama during the president's first live Google Hangout. He also served as part of the U.S. delegation to India for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. Through thousands of articles, speaking engagements and business consultations, Ray has helped hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs gain the insights and confidence needed to grow and thrive. RamonRay.com
9:00 a.m. Welcome
9:10 Breakout Sessions – pick 1
- Track A: Marketing & Innovation - Amy Behning, MindFire Communications
- Track B: Capital & Finance - bank and credit union sponsors
- Track C: Business Operations & Technology - Marcia Erickson, ActionCOACH
10:25 a.m. City Panel: Accessing Local Loans, Grants and Business Incentives
11:25 a.m. Vendor Marketplace
12:00 p.m. Lunch & Keynote Speaker: Ramon Ray
1:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions – pick 1
- Track A: Marketing & Innovation - Aubrey Barnes
- Track B: Capital & Finance - Kristin Berry, Total Solutions
- Track C: Business Operations & Technology - Ben Driscoll, Twin State Technical Services
2:00 p.m. Solutions Lab – pick 3, table discussions
- Government Contracting & Procurement
- Nonprofit Sustainability
- Scaling your Business
- Succession Planning
- Workforce Recruitment & Retention
3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Happy Hour
We strive to host inclusive and accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. For event assistance or any additional information, contact us.
