THRIVE 2026 Breakfast Session

Thrive: Powered by Why
Small Business Conference
March 12, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Reese Center
Welcome at 8:20 AM

Conference Overview
A half-day experience designed to inspire, equip, and energize small business owners and leaders. With a focus on purpose-driven leadership, attendees will gain tools to strengthen culture, navigate modern challenges, and leverage emerging technologies.

Program Outline
Keynote: Own Your Why
Presented by: Jackie Davis, Founder and CEO, Emerge Coaching and Consulting

An inspiring and interactive keynote to help you reconnect to your why and integrate

your purpose into how you lead, live, and grow your business. Come away feeling connected to what matters most and with tools to help you keep making decisions that align to your why

Breakout Sessions

Protect Your Why: Cybersecurity—What to Know, What to Avoid, What You Must Do Now
Speaker: Mark Bell, Cyber Security Outreach Coordinator, State of OH
A practical, plain-language guide to the threats small businesses face today, and the essential steps required to safeguard data, systems, and reputation.
Elevate Your Why: Leveraging AI for Small Business
Speaker: Rob Buchwald, CEO, Akron Innovations – AI Driven Business Strategy
A clear, accessible exploration of AI tools that help small businesses streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and strengthen decision-making.

Resource + Networking Time

7:45 AM – Doors open, breakfast buffet
8:20 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:30–9:30 AM – Owning Your Why | Jackie Davis, Founder & CEO, Emerge Coaching
9:40–10:30 AM – Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Why | Mark Bell, State of Ohio
10:40–11:30 AM – AI for Small Business | Rob Buchwald, CEO, Akron Innovations
11:30 AM–12:00 PM – Resources & Networking