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How to Scale Up Your Business

Round 1

Speakers
  • John Wirtz - Co-Founder Hudl
    John Wirtz is the co-founder of Hudl, one of the world’s leading sports performance analysis platforms serving more than 200,000 teams globally. As Hudl’s longtime Chief Product Officer, he helped scale the company from a classroom idea into a global organization with over 2,000 employees. Now serving as Executive Advisor, John mentors emerging leaders and supports strategic initiatives while remaining deeply engaged in entrepreneurial and community development.
  • Mark Whitehead - President/Owner, U-Stop Convenience Shops
    John Wirtz is the co-founder of Hudl, one of the world’s leading sports performance analysis platforms serving more than 200,000 teams globally. As Hudl’s longtime Chief Product Officer, he helped scale the company from a classroom idea into a global organization with over 2,000 employees. Now serving as Executive Advisor, John mentors emerging leaders and supports strategic initiatives while remaining deeply engaged in entrepreneurial and community development.
Summary
*Small Business & Entrepreneurship; Leadership* What does it actually take to grow from “small and scrappy” to scalable and sustainable? In this dynamic session, John Wirtz and Mark Whitehead share how they transformed bold ideas into high-growth organizations, each in very different industries. Attendees will gain practical insight into building the right team, strengthening systems, protecting culture, and making strategic decisions that support long-term growth. Whether you are leading a startup or preparing for your next expansion, this session will give you a real-world blueprint for scaling with intention and impact.

Building Your Personal Brand

Round 1

Speakers
  • Derek Richards - Broker/Owner
    Derek Richards is a Manhattan native and Broker/Owner of Alliance Realty, which he founded in 2011 and has grown to 18 agents and more than $70 million in annual production, ranking among the top brokerages in the market. After launching his real estate career in Kansas City, Derek returned home with a vision not just to build a successful company, but to create a culture where agents thrive and results follow. A passionate advocate for Manhattan, he also launched The Derek Richards Project podcast to spotlight local stories and recently invested in redeveloping the historic Ag Press Building as a future community hub. Derek believes growth is a lifelong pursuit, fueled by strong culture, bold vision, and deep community roots
Summary
*Small Business, Leadership, Technology and Early Career* Your reputation is your most powerful asset in business and in life. In this session, Derek Richards shares how he intentionally shaped his personal brand to stand out in a competitive market, build trust with clients, and grow influence both on and offline. You’ll learn actionable strategies for leveraging social media, networking with authenticity, and communicating your value so that you’re remembered for the right reasons. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, tech user, or early career professional, this session will help you strengthen your presence and make your brand work for you.

Strategies to Decrease Financial Stress

Round 1

Speakers
  • Kate Mieltz - Executive Director of Powercat Financial
    Kate Mielitz, Ph.D., AFC®, CDP® serves as Executive Director of Powercat Financial and Professor of Practice in Personal Financial Planning at Kansas State University. With 25 years of experience in financial services, bankruptcy, fraud, counseling, and higher education, she brings both practical and academic expertise to her work.
Summary
*Leadership, Early Career* Financial stress does not stay at home. It follows people into the workplace, impacts decision-making, and quietly drains focus and confidence. In this practical and empowering session, Kate Mielitz will break down the fundamentals of budgeting, credit management, savings strategies, retirement planning, and when to engage financial professionals. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how small, consistent decisions create long-term stability and freedom. Whether you are early in your career or leading a team, this session provides tools to build financial confidence and reduce stress at its source.

How to Effectively Communicate with Your Elected Officals

Round 1

Speakers
  • Sue Peterson - Owner, Amethyst Axiom
  • Michael Dodson - Former Kansas Legislator
Summary
*Leadership; Community* Your voice carries more weight than you may think. The key is knowing how to use it effectively. In this practical session, you’ll learn how to communicate clearly and professionally with elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels. Discover how to frame your message, share your business or community perspective, and build productive relationships that lead to meaningful dialogue. Whether you are advocating for policy change or simply seeking understanding, this session will equip you with the tools to engage confidently and constructively.

Running Better Meetings, so They Don't Run You

Round 2

Speakers
  • Kerri Winter
    Kerri joined Florence Corporation in 2005 and currently leads the executive team while heading the Mail and Package Division of Gibraltar Industries. With more than a decade of prior senior leadership experience across accounting, manufacturing, logistics, sales, and marketing, she brings broad operational insight to every table she leads. A Kansas CPA, Kerri has extensive experience conducting corporate and nonprofit board meetings and serves on several community boards in Manhattan. Her practical leadership background makes her uniquely equipped to share strategies for running meetings that drive results.
Summary
*Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Early Career* Meetings should create momentum, not drain it. In this fast-paced session, you’ll learn how to design and lead meetings that are focused, efficient, and outcome-driven. Discover practical strategies for setting clear objectives, building purposeful agendas, facilitating strong discussion, and ensuring accountability long after the meeting ends. Whether you lead a team, a department, or a volunteer board, you’ll walk away with tools to turn your meetings from time-fillers into decision-makers.

Building a Team of People for Your Business and Beyond

Round 2

Speakers
  • Seth Gordon - Partner, Sink Gordon and Associates
  • Andy Ellis - Partner, Arthur Green
  • Thad Hall - Executive Vice President, KS StateBank
  • Travis Say - Senior Producer, C&W Insurance
Summary
*Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Leadership* Building Your BAIL Team: Banker, Accountant, Insurance & Legal No business grows alone. Behind every strong company is a trusted circle of advisors who protect it, guide it, and help it make smart decisions. In this panel session, experts from banking, accounting, insurance, and legal will break down how to intentionally build your BAIL team and when to bring each partner into the conversation. Attendees will gain clarity on what questions to ask, what mistakes to avoid, and how the right advisory team can fuel sustainable growth, reduce risk, and create long-term stability for your business and beyond.

Handling Conflicts in the Workplace

Round 2

Speakers
  • Tammy Bissette - Director of Talent, Culture & Human Resources, K-State Foundation
  • Allison Muth - Director of Talent Strategies, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Adrienne Hayes - Human Resources Manager, Varney & Associates
Summary
*Small Business & Entrepreneurship; Leadership; Early Career* Conflict in the workplace is inevitable. How you handle it is what defines culture, trust, and performance. In this interactive session, three pairs of speakers will role-play real-world workplace scenarios from both the employee and manager perspectives, offering a candid look at what productive conflict resolution actually sounds like. Attendees will gain practical language, de-escalation strategies, and frameworks for turning tension into clarity, accountability, and stronger working relationships. Whether you supervise a team or contribute to one, this session will equip you to navigate difficult conversations with confidence and professionalism.

How Introverts and Extraverts find Workplace Balance

Round 2

Speakers
  • Tamara Bauer - Director of Institute for Community Health and Well-Being, Kansas State University
    Dr. Tamara Bauer is the inaugural Director of the Institute for Community Health and Well-Being at Kansas State University. The Institute, housed within K-State’s Office of External Engagement, brings together faculty, students, extension, and community partners to strengthen health and well-being across Kansas. Her work focuses on building partnerships, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration, and helping translate research and community expertise into meaningful impact for Kansas communities. Prior to this role, Tamara served as Director of Leadership and Service Programs and Assistant Professor at K-State’s Staley School of Leadership, where she led campus initiatives focused on leadership development, civic engagement, and community-engaged learning. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, her teaching, facilitation, and scholarship focus on helping people build stronger communities of belonging. Tamara is passionate about connecting people, ideas, and resources to create healthier, more connected communities.
Summary
*Leadership, Early Career* Energy shows up differently for everyone. Some people recharge in quiet focus. Others gain momentum in collaboration and conversation. This session explores how introverts and extraverts can better understand their own working styles, communicate their needs, and build stronger team dynamics. Attendees will gain practical strategies for reducing friction, increasing productivity, and creating a workplace culture where different personality styles are not just tolerated but leveraged for success.

Leadership Under Pressure

Round 3

Speakers
  • Erin Freidline - Deputy Director, Riley County Police Department
    Erin Freidline was named Deputy Director of the Riley County Police Department in October 2024 and oversees daily operations of the agency. Freidline joined the RCPD in June 2000 as a patrol officer. She served in several capacities working various patrol shifts. Deputy Director Freidline is a graduate of the 264th session of the FBI National Academy and is a LEADS scholar through the National Institute of Justice. She was a recipient of the 40-Under-40 award from the IACP because of her leadership and commitment to the policing profession. Freidline has also received the Young Alumni award from Kansas State University for her service to the community.
Summary
*Leadership* Leadership is tested most when the stakes are high and the path forward is unclear. Drawing from law enforcement leadership experience, this session will explore what it means to lead with clarity, accountability, and trust in high-pressure environments. Attendees will gain practical insight into decision-making under stress, developing resilient teams, and creating a culture built on shared mission and purpose. Whether you lead in business, nonprofit, or community settings, you’ll leave with principles that strengthen your leadership when it matters most.

How to Survive the AI Apocalypse

Round 3

Speakers
  • Aaron Schroeder
    Aaron Schroeder is President and Co-Founder of Canopy, a Public Benefit Company, a mission-driven tech organization built to help nonprofit and community-focused programs improve their efficiency and demonstrate impact. With more than 20 years of experience in data management, reporting tools, and technology leadership, Aaron helped launch Canopy from a Kansas State University-developed software platform into a growing company supporting organizations nationwide. He brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial vision, technical insight, and community commitment to the conversation about how AI and emerging technologies can be used for good in the workplace.
Summary
*Small Business & Entrepreneurship; Technology; Early Career* The capabilities of AI tools are accelerating. In just the past few months, the software industry has begun experiencing what may be the most significant transformation in its history. These tools aren’t just making work faster; they’re redefining what skill, productivity, and even expertise mean. In this session, we’ll briefly explore how building software is changing — and what that signals for the rest of the professional world. We’ll look at how to leverage the latest AI tools, which skills are becoming more valuable (and which are quietly being automated), and practical strategies to move up the value chain so you’re directing outcomes — not just producing output.

How Are Property Tax Dollars Utilized?

Round 3

Speakers
  • Jason Hilgers - Deputy City Manager, City of Manhattan
    Jason Hilgers has served the City of Manhattan, Kansas since 1999, holding leadership roles across community development and the City Manager’s Office before being promoted to Deputy City Manager in 2013. In 2024, he also served as Interim City Manager during a leadership transition. Jason holds a master’s degree in public administration from Kansas State University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Fort Hays State University. His decades of municipal experience provide deep insight into how local government operates and how public resources are managed
Summary
*Small Business & Entrepreneurship; Early Career; Community* Ever wonder where your property tax dollars actually land once they leave your checkbook? In this informative and transparent session, Jason Hilgers, Deputy City Manager for City of Manhattan, Kansas, will walk attendees through how property tax revenue is allocated and what services it supports. You’ll gain a clearer understanding of city budgeting, funding priorities, and how local decisions impact businesses, infrastructure, and quality of life across the community. This session brings clarity to the numbers behind the headlines of community growth, infrastructure, and responsible stewardship of public funds.

How to Write a Job Description for Recruitment

Round 3

Summary
*Small Business & Entrepreneurship; Leadership* Your job description is not just a list of duties. It is your first pitch to future talent. In this practical session, you’ll learn how to craft clear, compelling job descriptions that attract the right candidates and strengthen your talent pipeline. We’ll explore how to define outcomes instead of tasks, communicate culture and expectations, and avoid common language that unintentionally narrows your applicant pool. Walk away with a framework you can immediately apply to recruit smarter, faster, and with greater alignment to your organization’s long-term goals.

Serving on a Board/Committee

Round 4

Speakers
  • Vern Henricks - President/CEO, Greater Manhattan Community Foundation
  • Jeff Sackrider - Manhattan Market Manager, WTC Fiber
Summary
*Leadership; Early Career; Community* Serving on a board or committee is more than attending meetings. It is stewardship, strategy, and service. In this session, Jeff Sackrider and Vern Henricks will share insights from years of governance experience, exploring what makes boards effective, how members can add meaningful value, and the responsibilities that come with leadership at the table. Attendees will gain clarity on expectations, fiduciary duties, and how to contribute in ways that strengthen both the organization and the broader community. Whether you are considering board service or already seated at the table, this session will elevate your impact.

How to Leverage Automation in the Workplace

Round 4

Speakers
  • Adam Boyle - Senior Business Consult and Sales Manager
    Adam Boyle is a Senior Business Consultant and Sales Manager with Networks Plus, a Manhattan-based IT consulting and support firm focused on helping organizations improve efficiency and leverage technology for better outcomes. With deep experience in consulting, workflow optimization, and practical technology solutions, Adam works closely with businesses to identify opportunities where tools like automation and productivity platforms can make a real impact. He regularly leads discussions and trainings on emerging technology trends, including how to use AI and automation responsibly and effectively in the workplace.
Summary
*Small Business & Entrepreneurship; Leadership; Technology; Early Career* Stop doing by hand what technology can handle for you. In this practical, tool-focused session, you’ll learn how to streamline repetitive tasks, reduce human error, and reclaim valuable time through workplace automation. Explore real-world examples using platforms like Microsoft automation tools and workflow systems that connect your processes behind the scenes. You’ll leave with clear ideas for where automation fits in your organization and simple steps to start building smarter, more efficient workflows immediately.

Setting Boundaries in the Workplace

Round 4

Speakers
  • Heidi Zahner-Younts - Director of HR Talent and Organizational Development
    Heidi Zahner-Younts serves as Director of HR Talent and Organizational Development at Kansas State University, where she leads strategy around employee experience, leadership development, onboarding, and organizational growth. Prior to joining K-State, she held leadership roles at the University of Iowa, designing and implementing institution-wide leadership development initiatives and executive coaching programs. A board-certified executive coach and certified facilitator of DiSC, The Leadership Challenge, and Success Principles, Heidi brings deep expertise in talent development and change management. She holds a master’s degree in strategic communications and is a Society for Human Resource Management–Certified Professional.
Summary
*Leadership; Early Career* Healthy boundaries are not barriers. They are the guardrails that protect performance, clarity, and well-being. In this thoughtful and practical session, you’ll explore how to set professional boundaries around time, communication, workload, and expectations without damaging relationships or appearing disengaged. Learn language you can use in real situations, strategies for managing up and across, and how leaders can model boundaries that strengthen culture instead of strain it. When boundaries are clear, trust grows and productivity follows.

From Invisible to In-Demand: Why Social Media Matters for Your Business

Round 4

Speakers
  • Jamie Bosse - Senior Advisor
    Jamie Bosse is a Financial Planner with CGN Advisors, author, and mother of four who is passionate about helping families build confident financial futures. She specializes in guiding clients through life transitions, maximizing their potential, and aligning their finances with their long-term goals. Jamie is the author of Money Boss Mom and the Milton the Money Savvy Pup children’s book series, and she provides free financial literacy resources to support parents and educators. In 2020, she was named to InvestmentNews’ 40 Under 40 list and has been featured in numerous regional and national publications. A graduate of Kansas State University’s Personal Financial Planning program, Jamie is committed to making financial education practical and accessible.
Summary
*Small Business & Entrepreneurship; Technology; Community* You don’t need to go viral. You don’t need to dance. And you definitely don’t need to be perfect. But you do need to be visible. In this practical and encouraging breakout session, Jamie Bosse will show how social media builds trust before a client ever contacts you — and why that matters more than ever. Through real-life examples and interactive discussion, you’ll discover how showing up consistently online can warm up prospects, reduce sales pressure, and position you as the go-to expert in your field. If you’ve ever thought, “I know I should be posting, but…” this session is for you.
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