# Event Details - **Event Name**: Chamber’s Choice Small Business Conference and Celebration - **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 17 Sep, 2026 at 01:00 pm – Thu, 17 Sep, 2026 at 05:00 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: Four unforgettable experiences. One afternoon. All celebrating small business in Greater Kalamazoo.About this EventSmall business is the heartbeat of a strong community. From the places we shop and eat to the services that care for our homes, families, and neighborhoods, small businesses show up for us every day. The Chamber’s Choice Small Business Conference and Celebration is our chance to show up for them.Hosted by the Southwest Michigan First Chamber in partnership with Varnum LLP and Kabundant, this signature fall event brings together small business owners, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and community members for an afternoon of insight, connection, and celebration.This year’s theme is Small Is Your Superpower.Attendees will hear from timely and inspiring business voices, participate in breakout sessions designed for real-world small business challenges, and celebrate the winners of the Chamber’s Choice Awards, presented LMCU.If you go to one event this fall, make it this one.Agenda1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Registration and Networking1:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Keynote, Breakout Sessions, Chamber's Choice Awards5:00 PM: Post-Event ReceptionKeynote SessionThis year’s keynote will set the tone for the afternoon and give attendees something practical, timely, and energizing to carry back to their business.Shawna Suckow, CSP, Speaker, Author, Consultant and Small Business Rebelpresented by Paint the Town Green, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest MichiganShawna is an internationally recognized business strategist, professional speaker, and author who has spent more than two decades helping entrepreneurs and small business owners grow with confidence. As the author of Small Is Your Superpower (the inspiration behind this year's conference theme), Shawna challenges business owners to embrace what makes them different and leverage their size as a competitive advantage. Her practical, no-nonsense approach will leave you with actionable strategies you can put to work immediately.Breakout SessionsAttendees will have the opportunity to choose from breakout sessions focused on the topics that matter most to small businesses right now, including differentiation, audience insight, digital strategy, and customer behavior.Session 1: Lean Into Your Weird: How Differentiation Beats Competition Every Time, Michigan Retailers AssociationBest for retail and restaurant owners, or anyone who feels squeezed by bigger competitors.Your quirks are not a liability. They are your edge. This session will show how the things that make your business different, including your story, obsessions, product choices, personality, and customer experience, can become your greatest competitive advantage. You will leave with a framework for identifying what sets you apart, examples of Michigan businesses that built a following by embracing their uniqueness, and practical ideas for putting your differentiation front and center.Session 2: Who Wants What You Have and Why? Think You Know Who Your Audience Is? Think AgainPresented by Michael Prebenda, Evergreen Hill, LLCBest for business owners, marketing coordinators, and anyone responsible for reaching new customers.Most businesses are guessing who their customer is. This session will help attendees move from guesswork to real customer insight through practical, research-backed approaches that can work even on a small business budget.Session 3: The Attention Economy Isn’t Fair for Small Businesses. Here’s How to Win Anyway, a5 Branding & DigitalBest for business owners and anyone responsible for digital presence or marketing spend.Big brands have big budgets, but small businesses have focus. This session will help attendees think more strategically about where to spend limited time and resources online, how to build a brand presence that cuts through, and why being specific beats trying to be everywhere.Chamber’s Choice Awards, presented by LMCUWho is making an impact in 2026? You told us, now come see the winners announced live on stage. The Chamber’s Choice Awards celebrate the companies, organizations, and individuals making a real impact across greater Kalamazoo and beyond. Winners are chosen through a public nomination and voting process guided by a diverse and representative group of business and community leaders.This year’s award categories include:Entrepreneur of the Year, presented by Kalamazoo Forward VenturesNonprofit of the YearAlumnus/a of the Year, presented by the WMU Alumni AssociationWoman-Owned Business of the YearBIPOC-Owned Business of the Year, presented by City of Kalamazoo Community Planning and Economic DevelopmentLGBTQIA+-Owned Business of the YearVeteran-Owned Business of the Year, presented by Modern Woodmen of America Financial ServicesChamber Member Business of the Year (Small, up to 50 employees), presented by AcrisureChamber Member Business of the Year (Mid/Large, 50+ employees), presented by People ForwardPLUS: Chamber Ambassador of the YearWinners will be announced live on stage during the event.Post-Event CelebrationWinners, toasts, finalists, finger foods, business and community leaders. All attendees will receive a copy of Small is Your Superpower and a custom Makers’ Box.Who Should AttendThis event is built for small business owners, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, community partners, and anyone who believes a stronger small business community makes greater Kalamazoo a better place to live and work.Whether you are just starting out or have been building here for decades, there is a seat in this room for you.Event DetailsDate: Thursday, September 17, 2026Time: 1:00 – 5:00 PMDoors Open: 1:00 PMProgram Begins: 1:30 PMLocation: Dalton Recital Hall, Western Michigan UniversityAddress: 1300 Theatre Dr., Kalamazoo, MI 49008Parking is available in the Miller Auditorium parking ramp and overflow parking lot. Parking is free for attendees, compliments of our sponsors. Please refer to the event map if you are unfamiliar with Western Michigan University’s campus. https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/ffff5120-a901-11f1-a4a1-eb59356bc08b-rimg-w740-h740-dcf8f8f8-gmir.jpg - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/kalamazoo/chambers-choice-small-business-conference-and-celebration/100001992849012041 - **Event Categories**: business, art, conferences, literary-art, theatre, contests, digital-marketing - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 4 hours - Location: Dalton Center - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 60, max: 120, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Kalamazoo - **state**: MI - **country**: United States - **location**: Dalton Center - **lat**: 42.2807021 - **long**: -85.61618940000001 - **full address**: Dalton Center, 1300 Theatre Drive, Kalamazoo, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Chamber’s Choice Small Business Conference and Celebration - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/5dd395ec8ef7f4465613a841f917ed4fb1810ac0e07e4aa2fc51705d091102bc-rimg-w1200-h600-dc8d7ba4-gmir.jpg?v=1783755087 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Chamber s Choice Small Business Conference and Celebration being held? - **A:** Chamber s Choice Small Business Conference and Celebration takes place on Thu, 17 Sep, 2026 at 01:00 pm to Thu, 17 Sep, 2026 at 05:00 pm at Dalton Center, 1300 Theatre Drive, Kalamazoo, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing Chamber s Choice Small Business Conference and Celebration? - **A:** Chamber s Choice Small Business Conference and Celebration is organized by Southwest Michigan First and The Chamber. - **Q**: What has been the experience of attendees at Southwest Michigan First and The Chamber's events? - **A:** Attendees have given Southwest Michigan First and The Chamber a rating of 5/5 based on reviews from early attendees on AllEvents. Southwest Michigan First and The Chamber has a verified profile on AllEvents where you can read reviews and explore their upcoming events. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Chamber s Choice Small Business Conference and Celebration is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and networking enthusiasts eager to grow their connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Kalamazoo, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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