Chamber’s Choice Small Business Conference and Celebration

Small 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.

Agenda

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Registration and Networking

1:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Keynote, Breakout Sessions, Chamber's Choice Awards

5:00 PM: Post-Event Reception

Keynote Session

This 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 Rebel

presented by Paint the Town Green, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan

Shawna 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 Sessions

Attendees 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 Association

Best 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, LLC

Best 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 & Digital

Best 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 LMCU

Who 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 Ventures
• Nonprofit of the Year
• Alumnus/a of the Year, presented by the WMU Alumni Association
• Woman-Owned Business of the Year
• BIPOC-Owned Business of the Year, presented by City of Kalamazoo Community Planning and Economic Development
• LGBTQIA+-Owned Business of the Year
• Veteran-Owned Business of the Year, presented by Modern Woodmen of America Financial Services
• Chamber Member Business of the Year (Small, up to 50 employees), presented by Acrisure
• Chamber Member Business of the Year (Mid/Large, 50+ employees), presented by People Forward
• PLUS: Chamber Ambassador of the Year

Winners will be announced live on stage during the event.

Post-Event Celebration

Winners, 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 Attend

This 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 Details

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026

Time: 1:00 – 5:00 PM

Doors Open: 1:00 PM

Program Begins: 1:30 PM

Location: Dalton Recital Hall, Western Michigan University

Address: 1300 Theatre Dr., Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Parking 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.