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Great Lakes Women's Business Council

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Great Lakes Women's Business Council

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Accelerating small business growth through business development and training.

10/09/2026

What’s next for your business? Get ready to build it.

Join keynote speaker Akil Alvin, Founder and Global Chief Creative Officer of Digital Detroit Media (DDM), at the 2026 Great Lakes Business Conference for “Built for What’s Next!” You already know it's about to go down.

Join us for two days of practical learning, valuable connections, and opportunities to move your business forward. Explore Business Coaching Labs, Educational Workshops, WEmatch, WEpitch, Sip & Shop, and more.

October 20–21, 2026
Vibe Credit Union Showplace | Novi, Michigan
Built for What's Next | Strategy. Access. Opportunity.

Make plans to be in the room. Register today:
https://glwbc.connect.space/great-lakes-business-conference/

09/15/2026

The stage is set. The energy will be electric. And 15 outstanding entrepreneurs are ready to give it everything they’ve got.

Join us for the WEpitch Semi-Finals at the Great Lakes Business Conference and watch bold ideas, powerful stories, and promising businesses come to life onstage.

“The WEpitch contest and contestants were outstanding.”
– Past Conference Attendee

Meet the 2026 WEpitch Semi-Finalists:

• Caitie Walsh, Caitie G
• Carrie Weidenbach, Aysnd
• Christina Kalfaian, Papas Kitchen
• DaNita Weddle, The Luv Gluv
• Erica Pietrzyk, Pietrzyk Pierogi
• Hana Kilani, Kilani Design
• Julie Cylla, Top Notch Balloon Creations
• Lauren Malhoit, Fork Yes
• Maria Bland, Shop Pure Lip
• Megan Fuciarelli, US2
• Michelle McQueen, Michelle McQueen Voiceovers
• Rayna Dye, Cooks Condiments
• Shon Hadden, CAPIT Cover
• Stephanie Zafarana, Pica Marketing
• Tonja White, Shades of White

Guiding the competition as WEpitch Coach and Emcee is Cathy Mott of CWC Leadership Development.

Tuesday, October 20, 2026
8:30 AM
Diamond Ballroom
Vibe Credit Union Showplace, Novi, Michigan

Special thanks to our WEpitch sponsors:
DFM Solutions
DIG Construction Services
Salesforce
Law Offices of Rona M. Lum
Federated Service Solutions

Register for the Great Lakes Business Conference and experience one of its most exciting events live.
https://glwbc.connect.space/great-lakes-business-conference

09/11/2026

Southfield business owners, are you ready to strengthen your business, increase your visibility, and grow strategically?

Join the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council and the Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce for Trusted Connector: Southfield. Connect with trusted business experts, explore funding opportunities, discover practical growth tools, and build relationships that can open new doors.

Wednesday, September 23, 2026
4:30 to 6:30 PM
Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce
20300 Civic Center Drive, Suite 1102, Southfield, MI 48076

Register today: https://glwbc.connect.space/trusted-connector-southfield-chamber-of-commerce-kickoff

Supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and administered by the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council in collaboration with community partners.

09/10/2026

Last chance to apply for Sip & Shop!

Showcase your products, connect with hundreds of Great Lakes Business Conference attendees, and make direct sales during this high-energy shopping experience.

Selected vendors receive complimentary vendor space with paid conference registration. Applicants must be product-based WBE-certified businesses located in Michigan or Indiana with retail-ready inventory.

Applications close September 11 at 11:59 PM ET.

Apply today: https://glwbc.connect.space/great-lakes-business-conference/forms/sip-shop-application/submissions/new

09/09/2026

Ready to take your business to the next level?

The Business Growth Accelerator is a six-week, execution-focused program created for established businesses ready to pursue larger commercial, corporate, government, and supply chain opportunities.

This is not a startup program. Participants will receive practical tools, dedicated business advisor support, an executive director readiness review, and a customized roadmap for continued growth.

Ideal candidates:

• Are headquartered in Wayne County
• Have operated for at least two years
• Generate approximately $150,000 or more in annual revenue
• Have at least one employee
• Are WBE, MBE, or DBE certified or pursuing certification

If your business is ready to strengthen its capacity, compete for contracts, and prepare for its next stage of growth, apply today.

Learn more and apply at https://glwbc.connect.space/business-growth-accelerator

Presented by Great Lakes Women’s Business Council and funded by New Economy Initiative.

09/04/2026

Is your busy schedule getting in the way of your best work?

Join the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council community for Busy to Balanced: Strategies From Delegation to Duplication, a morning of PrimeTime Connect roundtable discussions, idea exchange, and executive connection.

Featured speaker Stephanie Zafarana of Pica Marketing will share practical strategies to help you:

• Prioritize what matters most
• Delegate to elevate
• Recognize when to duplicate yourself and others
• Leave with actionable ideas for greater productivity

Tuesday, September 22, 2026
8:30 to 11:30 a.m. ET
Epitec
26555 Evergreen Road, Suite 1700, Southfield, MI

Register here: https://glwbc.connect.space/primetime-connect-by-women-for-women-busy-to-balanced-strategies-for-delegation-to-duplication

09/01/2026

Southwest Michigan! Ready to sharpen your business edge?

Join the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council and our partners for a morning of executive connection and practical strategies designed to help you grow with confidence.

During this PrimeTime Connect WBE Forum, you will learn how to:

• Use your numbers as a foundation for growth
• Explore alternatives to traditional capital
• Strengthen your approach to selling and scaling
• Prepare your business for what’s next

Hear insights from Hilary Dolbee of VisionPath CFO, Venard Roberson of Northern Initiatives, Michele Coy of Michele Coy Enterprises, Dan Cubr of EAM Consulting Group, and Amy Courter of Azimuth Centers of Excellence.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
Southwest Michigan First, Catalyst Room
180 E. Water Street, Suite 2690, Kalamazoo, MI

Register here: https://glwbc.connect.space/sharpening-your-business-edge

08/25/2026

ATTENTION INDIANA WBE'S!!
The Indy Chamber’s Business Services team is launching the new Opportunity Exchange, presented by Evolution Risk Partners and SIHO Insurance, and you’re invited!
What to expect:

Procurement Panel Discussion: Hear from leaders in the procurement space, including:

Lisa Hardin, Sr. Procurement Manager for Salesforce
Chelci Hunter, Program Manager of Business Alliance for the Indianapolis Airport Authority
Prudence Morrow, Director of Procurement for Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Deana Haworth, CEO of Hirons (moderator)
Business Resource Fair: Meet with representatives from the SBA Indiana District Office, Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council, the City of Indianapolis Office of Minority & Women Business Development, Audrain Advising, Indiana Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, and IN APEX Accelerator, and hear a brief presentation on available resources for business owners.

Networking Time: Make connections with leaders from across the Indy region.

Register now to level up your business and position yourself for new opportunities.
https://indychamber.com/event/2026-business-services-small-business-showcase/

08/18/2026

Real connections. Practical insights. Opportunities to grow.

Attendees leave the Great Lakes Business Conference with more than inspiration. They gain valuable knowledge, sharpen their expertise, and build relationships that can move their businesses forward.

Join us October 20–21, 2026, at Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi, Michigan, for Built for What’s Next!

Strategy. Access. Opportunity.

Register today and get ready for what’s next.
https://glwbc.connect.space/great-lakes-business-conference/details

08/13/2026

Showcase your products at Sip & Shop during the 2026 Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference!

Selected vendors will have the opportunity to increase their visibility, make direct sales and connect with hundreds of entrepreneurs, corporate partners and procurement professionals.

Why You Should Participate

FREE vendor space with your paid conference registration
Exclusive visibility – only select vendors will participate
Direct-to-consumer sales opportunity with influential attendees
Elevated exposure at one of the Midwest's largest women-in-business events
Retail Readiness & Eligibility Requirements

To be considered, applicants must:

Be a product-based business with retail-ready inventory
Own and operate in Michigan or Indiana
Have the ability to process onsite credit card payments (Square, Stripe, etc.)
Present a professional display setup
Provide a business capabilities statement (1-page overview of your business, products, and capacity)
Ensure products are packaged, priced, and ready for immediate sale
* Please note: Submitting an application does not guarantee a vendor table. Selection is based on product quality, retail readiness, and business presentation.

Applications close September 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Apply today: https://glwbc.connect.space/great-lakes-business-conference/forms/sip-shop-application

Address

33109 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, MI
48150

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17346771400

Website

http://www.greatlakeswbc.org/

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