LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake Leadership Summit 2015, a bold event designed for Lake County small businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders, will take over Marymount California University’s Lakeside campus on Friday, Oct. 9.
The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. at the campus, 3700 Country Club Drive, Lucerne.
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 Summit 2014 and 2015, is passionate about helping Lake County attract new industry and aims to offer new tools to our existing businesses.
Limited to 100 participants, Summit 2015 tickets are $35 per person and $50 for two. Tickets are available at www.Embracethelake.com .
Summit 2015 is a mash-up of captivating speakers and intriguing break-out sessions intended to challenge the status quo.
“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,” said summit co-creator and executive director of Marymount’s Lakeside campus, Michelle Scully.
“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,” Scully said. “Our hope is that Summit 2015 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 2015. 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,” said 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,” Southwick said.
Other Summit 2015 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 and 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’.
“City Hall in Lakeport is proud to be the site of the ‘What I Love About Lake County Is…’ chalkboard wall this year,” said Margaret Silveira, summit co-creator and Lakeport city manager. “Several of our council members attended Summit 2014, and, like so many people in Lake County, the city is a big proponent of economic development.”
She added, “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.”
Lake Leadership Summit 2015 is sponsored by Pacific Gas and Electric, Savings Bank of Mendocino County and the city of Lakeport. It is graciously supported by Marymount California University Lakeside and MPIC/WorkforceLake.
To register for the event, go to www.EmbracetheLake.com . Limited seating is available.
If you have questions, please call Rebecca Southwick at 707-349-8105 or write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .