Thrive: Powered by Why – Small Business Conference
📅 Thursday, March 12, 2026
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Doors open & breakfast buffet at 7:45 AM)
📍 The Reese Center, OSU Newark & COTC
Join us for a high-energy, purpose-driven half-day event designed to inspire and equip small business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs. You’ll walk away with practical tools, fresh perspective, and powerful insight to strengthen your leadership, culture, and decision-making in today’s fast-changing world.
Schedule at a Glance
🕣 8:20 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
🗝️ 8:30–9:30 AM – Keynote: Own Your Why
Jackie Davis, Founder & CEO, Emerge Coaching & Consulting
Reconnect with your purpose and learn how to lead and grow in alignment with your “why.”
🔐 9:40–10:30 AM – Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Why
Mark Bell, Cybersecurity Outreach Coordinator, State of Ohio
Understand key risks and learn the must-do steps to protect your business.
🤖 10:40–11:30 AM – AI for Small Business: Elevate Your Why
Rob Buchwald, CEO, Akron Innovations
Explore how small businesses can use AI to streamline operations and boost customer experience—without getting overwhelmed.
🤝 11:30 AM–12:00 PM – Resource + Networking Time
💵 $40 Chamber Members | $50 Non-Members (Includes breakfast)
✅ Open to all business leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs!
📲 Register now at
https://members.lickingcountychamber.com/events/details/thrive-2026-breakfast-session-2132?calendarMonth=2026-03-01
Thank you to our Keynote Sponsor: Meta New Albany Data Center
Also check out other Business events in Newark.
