Catalyst Summit

Organizer - EO Portland

Powered by Kinesis and the Entrepreneurs' Organization, Catalyst is for Portland's doers, thinkers, innovators, and visionaries.

<h3>Join the Summit</h3>The fifth annual Catalyst Summit, powered by <a href="https://www.kinesisinc.com/" title="https://www.kinesisinc.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Kinesis</a> and the <a href="https://www.eopdx.org/" title="https://www.eopdx.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Entrepreneurs' Organization of Portland</a>, is created by and for the owner-operated business community. With no sponsors or sales pitches, Catalyst offers a space where peers openly share insights through talks, panels, workshops, and imaginative breakouts. Every detail, from the agenda to the setting, is designed to foster real conversations, bold ideas, and lasting impact. Attendees won’t just listen; they’ll engage, explore, and generate ideas they’ll still be thinking about years later.<h3>Our 2025 Theme: Analog/Us</h3>In a world of pings, posts, and push notifications, we’re all craving real presence. Our fifth Catalyst Summit invites us to disconnect and reconnect — to slow down and tune in to a more meaningful shared experience.Why Analog/us? While digital signals are binary 0s and 1s, analog is the frequency of us: continuous, multi-dimensional, tactile. Leaders are starting to attune to that frequency: one that values creation and intention over endless activity. This year, we’re dialing down the noise and turning up the signal — the conversations that spark when we’re in the room, the ideas that emerge between the lines, the “us” that only happens offscreen.Together, we'll explore:<ul><li>New ways of connecting — with clients, customers, employees, and beyond — that integrate or rediscover the in-person, touchable, and tangible</li><li>How visionary leaders are creating meaningful spaces and experiences that connect with their audience and/or community</li><li>What helps a community cohere in an age of disconnection and fragmentation</li></ul><h3>Who's Invited?</h3>Business owners, founders, and visionaries who are leading with courage and creativity.In a world that often leans on predictable playbooks, Catalyst encourages leaders to rise above the status quo — to build, create, and imagine what’s next for themselves, their companies, and their communities.<h3>What to Expect</h3>A comfortable space designed for open minds, real conversations, and creative discovery. We'll also enjoy local food and drink throughout the experience.

<h2>Meet Our Speakers &amp; Panelists</h2>

<h4>Mike Bennett</h4>Artist &amp; Public Joy Creator Mike Bennett Studios | Portland AquariumMike is a Portland-based artist, TEDx speaker, and creator with the Portland Aquarium. His playful, larger-than-life installations and immersive experiences spark joy, community connection, and the analog magic of shared imagination.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-bennett-666351334/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-bennett-666351334/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn </a><h4>JT Flowers</h4>Director, Government &amp; Communications Albina Vision TrustJT leads transformative work with the Albina Vision Trust, reimagining 94 acres of Portland’s historically black-owned community. The Trust is the largest restorative redevelopment effort in America.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jt-flowers-772449100/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jt-flowers-772449100/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn </a><h4>Keaton Ray</h4>Co-Founder &amp; COO MovementXKeaton champions human-centered healthcare by reconnecting people to movement, wellness, and each other. With over 70 employees, she builds stronger communities through intentional care and leadership.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/keaton-ray/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/keaton-ray/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn </a><h4>Jessica Elkan</h4>Executive Director James Beard Public MarketJessica is the Executive Director of the James Beard Public Market, leading a $25M development project that will create Portland’s first year-round public market and support hundreds of diverse regional food entrepreneurs.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-f-elkan-b6836014/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-f-elkan-b6836014/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn </a><h4>Cameron Madill</h4>Founder, The Business of Us Podcast | Happy Couples ProjectCameron is a thoughtful social impact entrepreneur and former CEO of PixelSpoke, where he led the agency to 50+ awards and transitioned it to employee ownership. Today he helps entrepreneurial couples thrive.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmadill/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmadill/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn </a><h4>Curtis Robinhold</h4>Executive Director Port of PortlandCurtis is Executive Director of the Port of Portland, where he leads visionary projects like the T2 Mass Timber Innovation Hub and the $2B+ renovation of Portland International Airport—the largest capital project in Oregon history.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtisrobinhold/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtisrobinhold/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a>

Agenda

Show Bar at Revolution Hall | Welcome remarks and networking with apps & drinks

Day 1: Event Kickoff + Happy Hour

Irving St. Studio at Ecotrust | Speakers, panels, creative activities, and workshops — breakfast, lunch & happy hour included

Day 2: Full-Day Event

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Catalyst Summit

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Catalyst Summit

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