LUCERNE >> The Lake Leadership Summit 2015, an event designed for Lake County small businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators and thought leaders, will take over Marymount California University’s Lakeside campus on Oct. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.
The summit is for individuals who crave fresh ideas, practical, apply-it-right-now information, and for those who want to collaborate and grow. The Lake County Regional Economic Development Committee, the engine behind summits ‘14 and ‘15, is passionate about helping Lake County attract new industry and aims to offer new tools to existing businesses. Limited to 100 participants, Summit ’15 tickets cost $35 per person and $50 for two. Tickets are available at Embracethelake.com.
Summit ‘15 is a mash-up of speakers and break-out sessions intended to challenge the status quo. Summit co-creator and executive director of Marymount’s Lakeside campus, Michelle Scully, stated, “Last year’s summit highlighted how a community similar to Lake County turned their economy around to thrive. The response to the summit was overwhelming and we saw so many conversations begin between people who’d never really sat down with each other before. This year, those collaborations and conversations are more important than ever; our community has been devastated by the Valley Fire and we are all grieving for each other. Our hope is that Summit ‘15 will offer opportunities for our community to come together to share, collaborate and envision our recovery. We believe that entrepreneurs and our small businesses are vital to our recovery and we know that Lake County is overflowing with people who have the creativity and the resilience to make huge things happen.”
Amy Kaherl, executive director of Detroit SOUP, keynotes Summit ’15. Kaherl’s crowdfunding microgrant program, Detroit SOUP, has received international acclaim, appearing on NBC News, ABC News, the BBC, Good Morning, America, and the Huffington Post among others. Kaherl is a recent recipient of the White House’s “Champion of Change” award.
“SOUP has real potential to work right here in Lake County. The enormity of our losses caused by the Valley Fire leaves us speechless. As we help our families, friends and neighbors rebuild and recover from their losses, we believe that we’ll see new businesses and entrepreneurs rise up to fill needs created by the Valley Fire — and these entrepreneurs are going to need help fast. SOUP provides instant microgrants to local entrepreneurs so that they can launch their ideas quickly,” commented summit co-creator Rebecca Southwick. “Lake County’s heart is bigger than any wildfire. Our area has always been full of fantastic, irrepressible, resilient people. We are honored and so excited to listen to what Amy’s been cooking up in Detroit to see if it can apply in our community.”
Other Summit ‘15 presentations include “Business Jeopardy: Show Me the Money!” featuring Paula Bryant of Umpqua Bank, Stephanie Ashworth of Wells Fargo Bank, Pete Dodson of Savings Bank of Mendocino County and Jeff Lucas of Community Development Services; a session called “Your (Website) Storefront Looks Like Hell: Websites 099” by Rob Freedman, director of marketing and communications at Congregation Emanu-El; and a session entitled “Us Against the World: North Bay Made” presented by Kelley Rajala and Pam Dale who will talk about the maker movement, its burgeoning popularity and how North Bay Made is marketing Lake County products to Northern California and beyond.
Breakout sessions include “Speed Date Your Business” and “Our Town: The Power of You & Placemaking in Our Destiny.” Three Red Carpet Awards will be presented to local businesses during the event and lunch will be served by Fresh & Bangin’.
Margaret Silveira, summit co-creator and Lakeport city manager, said, “City hall in Lakeport is proud to be the site of the ‘What I Love About Lake County Is…’ chalkboard wall this year. Several of our council members attended Summit ’14, and, like so many people in Lake County, the city is a big proponent of economic development. Particularly in the aftermath of the Valley Fire, we urge all of Lake County’s residents to take a moment and add what they love most about where we live to the wall. We’re convinced that our positive energy is what will make us a magnet for outside investors and new businesses.”
To register for the event, go to www.EmbracetheLake.com. Limited seating is available. If you have questions, call Southwick at (707) 349-8105 or write to EmbracetheLake@gmail.com.
