2013 Agenda

Sandy K. Baruah, President and CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber

Opening Keynote: Opportunity Made in Detroit

Keynote Speaker
Matt Cullen, President and CEO, Rock Ventures, LLC

Introduction
John Dunn, Vice President, Middle Market and Small Group Business, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Keynote Speaker
Dr. Richard Florida, Global Best-Selling Author; Urbanist

Q&A Moderator
Nancy Kaffer, Editorial Writer, Detroit Free Press

Designing Detroit’s Brand: The Emergence of the Creative Industry in the “D”
Through the work of Chrysler, Quicken Loans, GalaxE.Solutions and other major corporations committed to the Motor City, the Detroit brand is strengthening – representing raw innovation, creative freedom and true grit. This is reflected in the city’s design, art and fashion sectors, all of which are utilizing this branding to help attract talent and consumers while defining Detroit in the eyes of the world. This panel will discuss the power of the Detroit brand and how to further develop it.

Panelists:
Karen Buscemi, Editor, StyleLine Magazine; Managing Partner, Detroit
Garment Group
Linda McIntosh, Marketing Director, Somerset Collection
George N’Namdi, President, N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art
Tim Smith, President and CEO, Skidmore Studio

Moderator:
Toby Barlow, Chief Creative Officer, Team Detroit

Re-Imagining Detroit’s Assets: Leadership, Policy and a Strong Urban Core
Southeast Michigan has strong leadership guiding some of its largest institutions – and the continued vibrancy and reinvention of those institutions is proof that the region is growing. From successful corporate expansions to the passage of impactful legislation and collaborative leadership, this panel of seasoned leaders will discuss the region’s thriving assets and the policies that will continue that trend.

Panelists:
Larry Alexander, Chairman, Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority
Graham Beal, President, Detroit Institute of Arts
Thomas Naughton, CEO, Wayne County Airport Authority
Faye Nelson, President and CEO, Detroit RiverFront Conservancy

Moderator:
Paul Hillegonds, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, DTE Energy

Stirring Up Success: The Emergence of Food in Detroit
Southeast Michigan is geographically positioned to act as a hub for the growing industry of locally grown and/or produced food-based businesses – and there are success stories to prove it. This panel will discuss the opportunities that exist in farming, production, distribution, wholesale and retail, and the policies that will help the food industry continue to flourish.

Panelists:
Red Elk Banks, Executive Operations Coordinator, Whole Foods
Lydia Gutierrez, President, Hacienda Mexican Foods LLC
Ann Perrault, Owner, Avalon Bakery
Dave Zilko, Vice Chairman, Garden Fresh Gourmet, Inc.

Moderator:
Dan Carmody, President, Eastern Market Corporation

Changing the Game: Rethinking Policy for Small Business in Detroit
2012 was a big year for pop-up businesses in Detroit as they tested the market, measured the demand and found very positive results in the Motor City. This panel of entrepreneurs will discuss the lessons learned and some of the policies that would make these pop-up businesses a permanent part of Detroit’s growing small business environment.

Panelists:
Jordi Carbonell, Owner, Cafe Con Leche del Este
Brian Ellison, Business Advocate, City of Detroit
Bryan Lively, Vice President, Retail, Moosejaw Mountaineering
Rachel Lutz, Owner, The Peacock Room; Owner, Emerald Gift Shop

Moderator:
Claire Nelson, Publisher, Model D Media

Outpacing Silicon Valley: How Detroit is Revolutionizing the IT Industry
Detroit and Southeast Michigan are on the national stage as the buzz around the region’s growing IT sector increases. With an emerging cluster of strong IT incubators in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Oakland County and Macomb County, Southeast Michigan is the place to be for tech-based business. This panel will discuss the existing opportunities and the policies helping to leverage the talent of the entire region.

Panelists:
Jim Anderson, Founder, President and CEO, Urban Science
Henry Balanon, Co-Founder, Detroit Labs
Jen Todd Gray, Vice President, Marketing and Creative Services, ePrize

Joey Grover, Software Engineer, Mobile Technology Lead, Livio
Zafar Razzacki, Account Executive, Google, Inc.

Moderator:
Matt Roush, Technology Editor, WWJ Newsradio 950

Paving the Road to Urban Development: Growth and Investment Opportunities in Detroit
Major developments take time, expertise, investment and a long-term vision to ultimately make a major impact on the cityscape. From schools to retail with housing above, there are environmental, workforce and financing policies that affect development. This panel will discuss those policies and more.

Panelists:
Peter S. Bosanic, P.E., Founder and President, PM Environmental, Inc.

Ehrlich Crain, Vice President, White Construction
Steven Hilfinger, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Richard Karp, Principal, Karp and Associates
Andra Rush, Founder, President and CEO, Rush Group, LLC

Moderator:
Olga Stella, Vice President, Business Development, Detroit Economic
Growth Corporation

The Small Business Innovation Project: Getting it Moving in Detroit
Wayne State University graduate students will give you a glimpse into their ongoing research: finding ways to simplify the business start-up process in Detroit. With “Detroit Future City” setting the context, the students have created teams and are profiling and creating business plans for emerging small companies. They will report on the critical steps required to move from concept to implementation, documenting the opportunities and challenges to moving forward in the city.

Panelists:
Odie Chris, Marketing
Brianna Fritz, Delivery Company
Stephen Lynn, Micro Brewing
Martha Potere, Food Preparation and Production
Michelle Proctor, Demolition and Recycling

Moderator:
Robin Boyle, Professor and Chair, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Wayne State University

Sandy K. Baruah, President and CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber

Afternoon Keynote: The State of Business in Detroit

The Honorable Dave Bing, Mayor, City of Detroit

With a rapidly approaching mayoral election and city council transitioning to council by districts, 2013 will be a game-changing year for the city of Detroit. This panel of media leaders will discuss the 2013 election landscape and provide insight on what businesses and residents can expect from candidates in the coming months.

Panelists:
Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor, The Detroit News
Mildred Gaddis, Host, WCHB’s “Inside Detroit”
Stephen Henderson, Editorial Page Editor, Detroit Free Press

Moderator:
Vince Keenan, Founder and President, Publius.org