IGNITE 2024
The Greater Beloit Business Summit
Choose your own adventure for the day!
3 Tracks on 3 Trending Topics
- Strengthening your Business
- Entrepreneur Essentials
- Professional Growth
Thanks you to our event sponsor
Ignite 2024 Schedule
Thursday, September 5th
| TIME SLOT | PRESENTATION | PRESENTER(s) | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 - 9:00 | Registration and breakfast is served | Catered by Mary’s Place | irontek |
| 9:00 - 9:15 | Describe the day, and introduce sponsor spotlight. Welcome and special word from Aimee Thurner - CEO, GBCC | Hosts: Ginger Carter Kerry Vistine Aimee Thurner | irontek |
| 9:15 - 9:30 | Break and travel to next session | ||
| 9:30 - 10:15 | 1st Sessions Track 1, 2 or 3 | See Track Descriptions | |
| 10:15 - 10:30 | Break and travel to next session | ||
| 10:30 - 11:15 | 1st Sessions Track 1, 2 or 3 | See Track Descriptions | |
| 11:15 - 11:30 | Break and travel to lunch and keynote speaker | ||
| 11:50 - 12:35 | Lunch and Keynote | From Roots to Renaissance - Rob Gerbitz Lunch catered by Perfectly Seasoned | The Forge |
| 12:35 - 12:50 | Break and travel to next session | ||
| 12:50 - 1:35 | 1st Sessions Track 1, 2 or 3 | See Track Descriptions | |
| 1:35 - 1:50 | Break and travel to next session | ||
| 1:50 - 2:55 | Connecting to the future workforce now! | Dana Leikness James Otterstein Nicole Pfundheller Heather Dobson Rob Hendrickson Debra Prowse | irontek |
| 2:55 - 3:00 | Official Dismissal | Aimee Thurner | irontek |
Tracks
Track Sponsors
Track 1 – Entrepreneur Essentials
IronTek
| TIME SLOT | PRESENTATION | PRESENTER(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 - 10:15 | Unlocking the Power of Innovation | Tracy Bliss Cindy Rowe Anthony Swindell |
| 10:30 - 11:15 | Navigating the Legal Landscape | Tim Lindau Maddie McCue |
| 12:50 - 1:35 | Money Smart for Small Business | Francisca Reyna |
Track 2 – Strengthening your Business
CareerTek
| TIME SLOT | PRESENTATION | PRESENTER(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 - 10:15 | Using the Term AI | Chad Schultz |
| 10:30 - 11:15 | Diversity Equity Inclusion Efforts | Amiee Leavy |
| 12:50 - 1:35 | Sustainability: Building a greener future. | Abby Otto Julie Uram |
Track 3 – Professional Growth
Comply 365
| TIME SLOT | PRESENTATION | PRESENTER(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 - 10:15 | Igniting the Leader in you | Linda Ross |
| 10:30 - 11:15 | Mastering The Message | Celestino Ruffini Madysen Wade |
| 12:50 - 1:35 | Level Up Your Life | Cindy Rowe |
Hospitality Sponsors
Ignite 2024 Presenters
Event Hosts
9:00 – 9:15
Welcome & Introductions
Presenters:
CEO
GBCC
Customer Success Specialist
Comply 365
Event Manager
GBCC
Aimee Thurner
Aimee Thurner has been a part of the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce since 2002, assuming various roles within the organization before being appointed to President/CEO. She is dedicated to fostering community growth and business development across the region and is so pleased to share this new IGNITE business summit with our investors!
Ginger Carter
Ginger Carter is Lead, Culture and Engagement at Comply365. She has been a part of Comply for over 8 years in various roles, with her current role being her absolute sweet spot. Ginger loves planning and executing both internal and customer-facing events and is always looking for ways to increase communication and engagement company-wide! She’s married and a proud momma to three of the best kids on the planet! She’s also a die-hard Chicago sports fanatic and is always down for a friendly competition!
Kerry Vistine
Kerry’s upbringing was uniquely divided between Maui, Hawaii and Roscoe, Illinois. Since 2002, she has served as an ordained minister alongside her husband, Paul, caring for congregations in Illinois and New Mexico. Her ministry has a strong focus on event management aimed at meeting the diverse needs of her communities. Kerry is deeply committed to making a positive impact and is passionate about community service. She is thrilled to join the GBCC, where she looks forward to contributing to the development and betterment of the city.
In her personal time, she enjoys outdoor activities, particularly spending time on the lake with her five children.
Keynote: From Roots to Renaissance
11:50 – 12:35
Unveiling the legacy and growth of the beloit community.
Presenter:
President & CEO
Hendricks Commercial Properties
Rob Gerbitz
Bio pending…
Track 1 – Entrepreneur Essentials
Location: IronTek
Unlocking the Power of Innovation
9:30 – 10:15
Elevate your brand with cutting edge marketing strategies.
Presenters:
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Visit Beloit
Owner
Cindy Rowe Marketing
Director gBETA
gener8tor
Tracy Bliss
Tracy Bliss is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Visit Beloit. A native of Beloit, Tracy brings more than 20 years of marketing experience and a wealth of community involvement. Prior to Visit Beloit, Tracy owned a graphic design business and worked on marketing projects for many non-profits and businesses throughout Rock County. Before launching her own business, she held positions such as Marketing and Event Manager with Community Action, Inc. and Marketing Manager at Data Dimensions.
Tracy has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is a proud alumna of the Leadership Development Academy of Rock County. She has served on the board of directors for the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce and the Leadership Development Academy of Rock County.
On the summer weekends, Tracy recommends live music and lunch at Fridays in the Park, followed by an evening of Music at Harry’s Place and a nightcap at Merrill & Houston’s or on the Rooftop at Hotel Goodwin. With her husband and three boys, she enjoys our award-winning Farmers’ Market, visiting the city parks, attending Movies on the Big Lawn, and Sky Carp minor league baseball games.
Cindy Rowe
Cindy Rowe is a dynamic professional speaker, trainer, and passionate entrepreneur. Having built two successful companies from the ground up, she’s an influential thought leader in her community who works tirelessly to change the narrative around kindness.
Leveraging her experience in sales, marketing, and organizational communication, Cindy shares evidence-based strategies with companies, organizations, and schools that improve employee culture and positively impact the bottom line.
When she’s not speaking on stage, Cindy helps entrepreneurs grow their small businesses as the Chief Marketing Rockstar of Cindy Rowe Marketing. She is also leading the charge to turn kindness into a social movement as Founder/CEO of Be Kind Crew and creator of The Kindness Advantage podcast..
Anthony Swindell
As the Director of gBETA, a free accelerator program for early-stage companies with local roots, I help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable businesses. I leverage my experience as a founder, to provide mentorship, guidance, and access to resources and networks for the selected teams.
I am passionate about creating and growing innovative ventures that solve real-world problems and generate positive impact. I have co-founded and operated two companies in the film production and education sectors, and have been involved in multiple seed- and early-stage investments in various industries and disciplines. I have also developed skills in content production, which I use to create engaging and compelling content. My mission is to empower and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.
Navigating the Legal Landscape
10:30 – 11:15
Essential insights on business and labor law.
Presenter:
Business/Real Estate Lawyer
Nowlan Law LLP
Lawyer
Nowlan Law LLP
Tim Lindau
Tim is driven to help put clients in the right position, by working with them to define their objectives while utilizing his creative problem-solving skills to reach cost-effective solutions.
Believing that trust is the centerpiece of a lawyer’s relationship with his clients, Tim Lindau practices in the areas of business and corporate law (including business acquisition and sales), real estate and municipal law, and banking and collection law. Businesses rely on Tim’s expertise for a wide range of issues, including corporate legal compliance, employment matters, business succession, contract review and drafting, and sales and acquisitions.
There are times, unfortunately, when businesses encounter unavoidable disputes, whether they are with an employee, a vendor, a customer, or a business partner. When confronted with these difficult and stressful situations, Tim is able to evaluate the specific needs and desires of the client and always seeks to resolve the dispute in a way that serves the client’s best interests.
Tim also offers extensive experience in the area of foreclosure and collection law. Banks and businesses have spent years building and maintaining their reputations. Knowing this, Tim assists clients in resolving their collection disputes in ways that are consistent with their community values.
In the municipal arena, Tim advises and assists towns, villages, and local government bodies on a wide variety of issues, including ordinance drafting and enforcement, the open meetings and open records law, farmland preservation and other zoning issues, and contract negotiation, drafting and enforcement.
Whatever the legal specialty, Tim is driven to help put clients in the right position, by working with them to define their objectives while utilizing his creative problem-solving skills to reach cost-effective solutions.
A native of Adell, Wisconsin, Tim graduated from Marquette University Law School and has been with Nowlan since his admission to the Wisconsin bar in 2005. Tim has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Leadership Development Academy, Inc., the Rock County Bar Association, KANDU, Inc., Junior Achievement of Rock County, Janesville Generations Fund, and Healthnet, Inc. Tim also served as co-chair for the Government Affairs Advisory Committee for the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, served on the board of the South Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross and has served his church on various committees and councils. Tim is currently the Chair of Forward Janesville, Inc., a Director of the Stateline Community Foundation, Inc., and serves as an advisory board member of the Janesville Generations Fund. Tim is a member of the Wisconsin State Bar, the Rock County Bar Association, and the Wisconsin Towns Association. Tim is also a member of the AriseNow Leadership Team and he just finished up his second year as President of the Janesville Police and Fire Commission.
Maddie McCue
Maddie grew up in Milton Wisconsin. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2019 where she majored in Business Management and played on the Varsity Women’s Golf Team. Maddie graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2022.
Maddie has focused her practice in the areas of business and corporate law, real estate, and estate planning. She focuses on achieving her client’s goals efficiently and in the most cost-effective manner.
Outside of work, Maddie enjoys spending her time with her family, friends, and dog, Louie. She loves hiking, golfing, and any other outdoor activities.
Money Smart for Small Business
12:50 – 1:35
During this presentation we will discuss: Is owning a business a good fit for you? We will learn about the 5 C’s of Credit – Looking through the lenses of lenders. Planning for a Healthy Business, Basics of Financial Management, Recordkeeping, Tax Planning, & Reporting. How to prepare for an interview with lenders/inventors.
Presenter:
Vice President
Commercial Loan Officer
CBI Bank and Trust.
Francisca Reyna
Francisca Reyna is a dynamic professional, serving as Vice President Commercial Loan Officer at CBI Bank & Trust in Roscoe, Illinois. With a robust background in Community Banking and International Sales spanning Asia, The Caribbean, and Latin America, Francisca brings a wealth of expertise to her role.
Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Concordia University with a double major in Business Management and Theology, Francisca’s academic prowess is matched only by her passion for sales and her dedication to representing CBI Bank & Trust and the communities it serves. She is particularly adept at teaching Personal Financial Education and Entrepreneurship, empowering individuals to navigate their financial futures confidently.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Francisca is deeply involved in the Beloit and Roscoe communities, lending her time and expertise to various boards and committees. She has served on prestigious organizations such as the Stateline Literacy Council-Beloit, The Stateline Community Foundation, NeighborWorks America’s Loan Committee, and the NAACP Education Committee, among others.
Francisca’s contributions have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the numerous honors and awards she has received. From the Latinos of Distinction Award by La Voz Latina in Rockford to being recognized as one of the 32 Most Powerful Latinos in 2018 by Wisconsin Leadership Summit-Madison 365, her impact resonates far and wide.
In her leisure time, Francisca finds joy in yoga, reading, traveling, and tending to her garden. A native Spanish speaker fluent in English and French, she embodies the spirit of multiculturalism and inclusion in all aspects of her life.
Track 2 – Strengthening your Business
Location: CareerTek
Using the Term AI
9:30 – 10:15
The goals/agenda of my event are:
- Explain what AI is and what it isn’t.
- Explain what Copilot is. (Microsoft’s AI version based on Chat GPT)
- How to use the free and paid version of copilot
- Demo the use of copilot (it will search the internet for information, create a excel doc of the information, create a word report of the information, then generate an executive summary and finally turn the report into a PDF.)
Presenter:
Owner
Premier Technologies
Chad Schultz
Chad Schultz, the owner of Premier Technologies, an MSP with a team of 13 individuals who are experts in their respective industries. We take pride in providing top notch IT solutions to our clients. Chad was born and raised in Beloit WI, with a deep connection to this town and it’s people. For over 25 years, He has been passionate about technology and dedicated to helping their clients succeed through the effective use of technology in their businesses.
Diversity Equity Inclusion Efforts
10:30 – 11:15
Beginning your business’s journey to become more diverse, equitable, inclusive and create a sense of belonging can be overwhelming. Creating spaces where diverse people and perspectives can thrive benefits your business and our community. In this session participants will be exposed to common language related to DEIB work. We will discuss ways to be a consistently appropriate ally and identify and address unconscious and conscience behaviors that are harmful to DEIB work. This work is not done without mistakes and missteps. However, fear of making a mistake should never be a reason not to begin or continue your DEIB efforts. Please arrive willing to be reflective, learn and unlearn, ask questions and engage. A variety of resources will be recommended to encourage self-challenge and growth.
Presenter:
Racial Justice Director
YWCA Rock County
Amiee Leavy
Amiee Leavy has years of experience engaging to advance racial and social justice issues and working with underserved communities. Amiee has been employed in the corporate sector as well as secondary and post-secondary education and now resides in the non-profit arena. Mrs. Leavy has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Alcorn State University, an MBA from The Ohio State University and three teaching licenses (1250 – Business Education , 1601 – Broad Field Science and 1610 – Chemistry).
Amiee has worked in Research and Development for Limited Brands Inc., served in the Admissions Department for Beloit College (with a focus on multicultural initiatives), served as a Diversity and Outreach Specialist for the School District of Janesville and coordinated the School Age Parent (SAPAR) program for the School District of Beloit. She brings with her a wealth of experience and the ability to write curriculum and facilitate racial justice workshops and trainings.
Sustainability: Building a greener future.
12:50 – 1:35
In this session, we will discuss the value of sustainability as a business strategy, the benefits of integrating sustainability pillars into the workplace—big or small, and challenges to expect when integrating sustainability into daily work practices.
Presenters:
Senior Sustainability Specialist
Kerry
Executive Director
Nature at the Confluence
Abby Otto
Abby is a passionate sustainability professional with strong ambitions to protect our planet for future generations. In her role at Kerry, Abby works cross-functionally to embed sustainability value propositions in account planning and pipeline growth, acts as a subject matter expert for customer engagements, partners with marketing on key messaging and positioning, and manages external sustainability focused industry partnerships, such as the Upcycled Food Association and the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council.
Abby joined Kerry in 2021 after completing her formal education. Abby holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sustainability and Resilience from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Julie Uram
Julie Uram holds a bachelor of arts degree in sustainability and resilience and a master of arts in communications from Drake University. She helps our community connect with the outdoors in her role as the executive director of Nature At The Confluence.
Track 3 – Professional Growth
Location: Comply 365
Igniting the Leader in you
9:30 – 10:15
Ignite: To catch fire or to cause to catch fire. In this session Linda Ross will inspire you to ignite your leadership journey and build your flames higher with some practical intentional ideas.
Presenters:
Director Of Fund Development
KANDU
Linda Ross
As fund development director for KANDU Industries, a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides life-enriching programs for more than 200 people with disabilities, Linda Ross applies her strong background to cultivate, retain, and expand KANDU’s awareness and donor base.
Throughout her 40+ year career, Ross has held leadership positions in the nonprofit, education, and travel industries, including the Leadership Development Academy, where she worked to empower aspiring leaders from local businesses and nonprofits to build and strengthen communities through personal development, networking, team building, and self-awareness. Linda opened her own travel agency at the age of 28 and has enjoyed traveling with groups around the world. She is a Real Colors facilitator and loves helping people learn more about themselves and others.
Ross has served on several boards and volunteers her time regularly to improve the quality of life in her communities. In 2014, Ross was awarded the Zonta Tribute to Women Award and in 2022 was elected supervisor for the Town of Beloit Board of Supervisors, now serving her 2nd term. She serves on the Greater Beloit Chamber Board of Directors and is Chair of the Greater Beloit Chamber Ambassadors. She is also the Janesville Noon Rotarian.
Linda lives on the river in the Town of Beloit with her husband of 34 years and can often be found on the pontoon boat. She has three adult boys and an awesome 10-year-old grandson, who is the love of her life.
Mastering the Message
10:30 – 11:15
Advanced communication strategies for business success.
Presenters:
Executive Director
Visit Beloit
Director of Investor Relations & Marketing
Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce
Celestino Ruffini
Celestino has been a lifelong resident of the Midwest. He was born and raised in central Illinois and fueled his passion for tourism in Indiana, where he graduated from Purdue University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in hospitality and tourism management. He later returned to Illinois to become a strong advocate for the industry and has since planted roots right here in Wisconsin. For seven years, Celestino served as the director of sales and marketing in Galena, Illinois, one of the leading destinations in the state. Lucky for us, he joined the Visit Beloit team in the summer of 2015 as the executive director. He is thrilled to serve the Beloit region as the chief “people connector” – ensuring consumers have the Beloit region top-of-mind, connecting businesses to one of the primary industries in the U.S., and pursuing excellence among staff and board members as we strive to be a leading destination in the Midwest.
He resides in Beloit with his wife and son and is dedicated to enjoying all that life offers.
Personally, he enjoys exploring off-the-beaten-path restaurants, geocaching throughout the region, spending time downtown with his family, and watching the community come together to celebrate at events and festivals.
Madysen Wade
Madysen Wade is a dynamic professional with a Bachelors degree in Corporate Communication from Northern Illinois University. With a rich background in visual merchandising and sales, she has honed her skills in creating compelling visual narratives and driving sales growth.
Currently, Madysen is the Director of Investor Relations and Marketing at the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce. In this role, she excels at fostering relationships with key stakeholders and spearheading innovative marketing strategies that promote community engagement. Her passion for communication and dedication to excellence make her a valuable asset to the Chamber and the broader business community.
Level Up Your Life
12:50 – 1:35
Conquering your work life balance.
Presenter:
Owner
Cindy Rowe Marketing
Cindy Rowe
Cindy Rowe is a dynamic professional speaker, trainer, and passionate entrepreneur. Having built two successful companies from the ground up, she’s an influential thought leader in her community who works tirelessly to change the narrative around kindness.
Leveraging her experience in sales, marketing, and organizational communication, Cindy shares evidence-based strategies with companies, organizations, and schools that improve employee culture and positively impact the bottom line.
When she’s not speaking on stage, Cindy helps entrepreneurs grow their small businesses as the Chief Marketing Rockstar of Cindy Rowe Marketing. She is also leading the charge to turn kindness into a social movement as Founder/CEO of Be Kind Crew and creator of The Kindness Advantage podcast.
Connecting to the future workforce now!
1:55 – 2:55
Engaging the future workforce through your talent pipeline.
Presenters:
Director of Business and Workforce Development
Corporate Contractors Inc.
Technical Director
Frito-Lay
Regional Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator | Job Developer
SWWDB
WIOA Youth Work Experience
Program Implementation Director
Craftsman with Character
Economic Development Manager
Rock County WI
Heather Dobson
As the Director of Business & Workforce Development at CCI, I work with the Leadership team on project tracking, building client relationships, and following construction trends. As well as, community involvement activities, youth career exploration, recruitment efforts and associate training.
Rob Hendrickson
Company Experience Speakers: Frito Lay
Dana Leikness
Regional Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator | Job Developer | Southwest WI Workforce Development Board
James Otterstein
James Otterstein is the Economic Development Manager for Rock County (Janesville-Beloit MSA), WI. As a member of the County’s Planning, Economic & Community Development Agency, James is responsible for providing economic development consultative services to public and private sector clients. These services include, but are not limited to: real estate acquisition and development; infrastructure development and financing; strategic planning; communications and marketing; project management; workforce and talent development; and government relations.
Nicole Pfundheller
WIOA Youth Work Experience
Debra Prowse
Program Implementation DirectorProgram Implementation Director
Craftsman with Character
