Biz 417's Think Summit 2023

Biz 417's Think Summit Presented by JMARK

Check back soon for the 2024 date!

Thank you for attending Biz 417’s biggest ever Think Summit presented by JMARK which brought powerful and truthful conversation. Our locally curated thought leaders were in one place for a TED-talk inspired day designed to help you think differently about your level of impact on your team, your business, your career, and our community.

Be sure to check out photos from the event below.

Agenda

April 5, 2023

8:20 A.M. | Welcome & Kickoff

with Logan Aguirre, Owner and Publisher of 417 Magazine

8:30 A.M. | 417 Outliers

David Cameron, City Administrator of the City of Republic

Kirk Elmquist, Executive Director of Branson Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District

Two regional outliers make the case for a regional strategy with SGF at the epicenter.

8:55 A.M. | The Business of Sports

Mark Hecquet, CEO of Springfield CVB

Roberto Camara, Pickleball Ambassador

Mark Hecquet, the new President/CEO of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau forecasts the regional economic outlook for sports tourism and then introduces a local sports entrepreneur making a global impact.

9:20 A.M. | Game To Fame

Brett Payne, Founder of Contender E-Sports

eSports is on a trajectory to be the most consumed sport in the country. How SGF could be at the epicenter.

------Break------

10:15 A.M. | The Pitt Principles for Life & Work

Doug Pitt, CEO of Pitt Development Group, LLC

Lucie Amberg, Editor of Biz 417

He's a successful business owner and founder of Care To Learn. Doug shares how his guiding principles as an entrepreneur have transferred to how he guides Care To Learn.

10:35 A.M. | Hard Truths

Thomas Douglas, CEO of JMARK

Learning to love the truth even when you don't like it.

10:50 A.M. | 3 Things Holding You Back From Doubling Sales in the Next 12 Months

Amanda Holmes, CEO of Chet Holmes International

Old-school meets new in proven processes for doubling your sales.

-----Lunch Break-----

12:50 P.M. | Let's Weed Through It

Michelle Billionis, CEO of The Coffee Ethic

Tony Billmeyer, CMO of Show-Me Organics

David Brodsky, Part Owner & Former Director of Retail of The Farmer's Wife

Josh Sullivan, Founder of Fried Design Company

A discussion around the cannabis industry at large in MO, but specifically in SGF.

1:20 P.M. | Can I Get an "I"

Julie Swift, Founder of Julie-Swift, LLC

Why DEI needs to start with inclusion

1:40 P.M. | The Elephant in the Room

Dr. Hal Higdon, Chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College

Our Biz 417 2022 Person of the Year calls it like he sees it. He shares the good, the bad and the ugly of speaking up.

------Break------

2:30 P.M. | Shoot Your Shot

Anthony Tolliver, Former NBA Player & Investor

Logan Aguirre, Owner and Publisher of Biz 417

Lessons learned on the court, in business and in investing in SGF

2:55 P.M. | Back to the Prairie

Phil Graves, CEO of Wild Idea Buffalo Co.

Phil Graves from Wild Idea Buffalo shares why their mission is to regenerate the prairie grassland, while improving our home planet and our food supply, by bringing back the bison.

3:25 P.M. | Advice & Whiskey

A few of our featured speakers share their best advice.

4:10 P.M | Drink Summit