AGENDA
8:00 - 9:00: | Check in
All attendees must be pre-registered and confirmed at check-in.
9:00 - 9:15: | Welcome
9:15 - 9:45: | Keynote speaker
Nia Grace of Grace by Nia Restaurant at Foxwoods
Hear from speakers experienced in helping entrepreneurs succeed. Learn more about the organizations they represent and how they can help you.
Small Business Association Services & Offerings for Small Businesses- Small Business Association (SBA)
Small & Minority Business Certification- Connecticut Department of Administrative Services
9:45 - 11:45 | speaker sessions
Connect with speakers from participating organizations and fellow attendees while enjoying lunch!
11:45 - 12:45 | Lunch
We will offer two content tracks. One content track for existing and established businesses and one content track for new or aspiring business owners. Select the track that best fits your business.
Content track breakouts
EXISTING & ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES
12:45 - 3:00 | information sessions
Finance: Cash & Liquidity Management | Huntington Bank
Business Expansion: Government Contracting | Connecticut Apex Accelerator
Marketing: AI & Marketing | Wondr Nation
Learn how to take your businesses to the next level
aspiring & new businesses
12:45 - 3:00 | information sessions
Finance: No Fear Financials - Preparing Your Business for Success | Connecticut Small Business Development Center
Business Expansion: Networking & Your Elevator Pitch | SCORE for Eastern Connecticut
Marketing: Small Business Marketing Strategy | Women’s Business Development Council
Learn how to set your new business up for success
3:00 - 3:10 | BREAK & TRANSITION TO MAIN ROOM
Learn a little about the organizations that will be participating in the Resource Fair and how they can help your business.
3:10 - 3:30 | organization spotlights
3:30 - 4:30 | panel session
Doing Business with Tribal Government- Connecticut Apex Accelerator
Moderator:
Marisol Herrera, State Director | Connecticut Apex Accelerator
Panelists:
Jean Swift, Chief Financial Officer | Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
Chris Chiappa, Executive Director of Business O/D | Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
Philip Minichino, Chief Procurement Officer | Foxwoods Resort and Casino
Michael Purcaro, Chief of Government Admin | Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
4:30 - 4:45 | closing & check presentation
4:45 - 7:00 | Networking reception & resource fair
Enjoy light bites and refreshments while you connect with like-minded business owners and representatives from organizations focused on small business success.
participating organizations
We are proud to partner with amazing organizations for speakers and participants in this event.
Confirmed participating organizations included:
brought to you by
This event was organized and sponsored by Wondr Nation, and hosted by the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center.