The Charlotte Business Journal's Business Growth Summit is right around the corner. This year, Charlotte Chamber members can receive a 15 percent discount by simply entering BIZGROWTH as the code at checkout. This event aims to help small businesses reach their full growth and revenue potential. If you’re a small business owner or executive, don't miss this opportunity to find insights and solutions for your organization!

Register now.


Event Agenda:

11:00 am – 12:00 pm Registration, Networking & Expo

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Luncheon, View from the Top Discussion & Economic Update

Economic Forecast by Michelle Meyer, Senior U.S. Economist, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

View from the Top Panel Discussion: Positioning Your Company for Growth in Uncertain Economic Times. How does a $1 million dollar company become a $10 million dollar company and eventually a $100 million dollar company? Leading small business pioneers share their insights in this interactive discussion and Q&A moderated by U.S. Small Business Administration Associate Administrator, Jeanne Hulit. Along the way you will discover perspectives on the role of a CEO at different stages in the life of a company, the challenges they faced and how they triumphed.

1:30 – 1:45 pm Networking & Expo Break

1:45 – 2:45 pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions 1, 2 & 3

Session 1: Selling to the Government and to Big Business
Each year, government agencies and big businesses spend hundreds of millions of dollars purchasing goods and services from local businesses. What does it take to do business with the government or a big business? Join us as we discuss what is available to businesses pursuing the government market, as well as other basics to becoming a successful government contractor. If your company is looking to diversify into billion-dollar industries, this government contracting seminar will give you the insight you need. Speakers: Nancy Rosado, Small Business Opportunity Program Manager, City of Charlotte; George Griffin, Procurement Technical Assistance Counselor, NC Small Business & Technology Development Center; Barry Green, President, Green’s Commercial Cleaning; Barbara Kubicki-Hicks, Supply Chain Executive for Global Card Services, Bank of America; Nick Economou, Consultant (moderator)

Session 2: Government Based Financing
Many small businesses still wonder what a lender’s requirements and criteria are to underwrite a loan and alternative financing options even with the economy strengthening. Whether it is a small working capital loan, purchasing a business or buying a building, the City of Charlotte, SBA and lenders have programs designed to help you. Join us for an interactive discussion on what a lender expects from a borrower and how to access government lending programs that may address your financing needs. Speakers: Eric Nelson, Small Business Lending Manger, City of Charlotte; Brian Pfeifer, President, Industrial Motion Inc.; Karen Hoskins, Lender Relations Specialist, SBA; TBD, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Lynn Douthett, District Director, SBA (moderator)

Session 3: A 360° Marketing Approach to Reach Your Target Market
HF Financial, a member of the MassMutual Financial Group, is committed to growing and developing independent business owners and we understand how important a well-rounded marketing approach is for the success of a business. Join us as Sheila Neisler from Catalyst provides a comprehensive execution strategy for small business owners. Sheila will explain the 360° approach to reach your target market in an effective way. 360 marketing is making sure you’ve got a consistent message across all of your marketing voices. Speakers: Sheila Neisler, Partner, Catalyst; Stacey Randall, Chief Talent Officer, HF Financial, a member of the MassMutual Financial Group

2:45 – 3:00 pm Networking & Expo Break

3:00 – 4:00 pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions 4, 5 & 6

Session 4: Maximizing the Opportunity of Selling Your Privately-Owned Company
Description: Selling a company can be the largest and most important deal of a business owner’s career. Regardless of what prompts the sale, selling a business is a high-stakes transaction, with far-reaching financial and emotional consequences. Speaker: Brooks Gallagher, Managing Director of Private Sales, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Session 5: Chasing the Unicorn and Hiring in Today’s Employment Market
This session will cover supply and demand factors of the employment market that affect a company’s ability to land top talent to fuel growth. Speaker: Melissa McGuire, Director, Sherpa

Session 6: TBD

Registration will close on Friday, July 20 at 5 p.m. The Charlotte Business Journal will donate $5 from every purchase to Junior Achievement of the Central Carolinas. Purchasers of full-price tickets or tables will be able to attend the expo, luncheon and all educational sessions. The Expo Only pass is for those people who want to visit the Business Growth exhibits and sessions (it does not include access to the luncheon).