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2025 Rural Business Expo Sessions

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Welcome & Opening Remarks

9/24/2025 9:00 AM - 9/24/2025 9:15 AM

Location
Main Room

Speed Networking

9/24/2025 9:15 AM - 9/24/2025 10:15 AM

Location
Main Room
Speakers
  • Sara Irvine - Owner, Impressions Design & Marketing

Smart, Simple Marketing for Business Growth Marketing (in Spanish) para el Crecimiento Empresarial Impulsa tu negocio con marketing inteligente y accesible

9/24/2025 9:15 AM - 9/24/2025 10:15 AM

Location
Breakout Room
Speakers
  • Rod Duarte - AVP Business Banking Officer, People's Bank
Summary
Workshop Outline To help local business owners discover practical, affordable marketing strategies that drive foot traffic, sales, and long-term customer relationships — without needing big budgets or marketing teams. Descripción: Para ayudar a los dueños de negocios locales a descubrir estrategias de marketing prácticas y asequibles que impulsen el tráfico, las ventas y las relaciones con los clientes a largo plazo, sin necesidad de grandes presupuestos o equipos de marketing.

Building a Winning Culture

9/24/2025 10:25 AM - 9/24/2025 11:25 AM

Location
Main Room
Speakers
  • Chad Elbert - Owner/Coach, Rudius Quest Coaching
Summary
This 1-hour workshop is designed to give the attendees tools to improve the culture of their organization. Sports teams have developed many behaviors that we can use in our businesses. The topics in this workshop will help the attendee create an action plan to create a winning culture, be more effective and ultimately more successful.

Community Power: Networking, Outreach & United Way’s New Funding Opportunities

9/24/2025 10:30 AM - 9/24/2025 11:30 AM

Location
Breakout Room
Speakers
  • Christine Hess - Executive Director, United Way of the Klamath Basin
Summary
Connection fuels community impact. This session explores practical ways to grow your network, strengthen outreach, and build meaningful collaborations. Christine will also share new details on United Way’s upcoming grant funding process and how nonprofits can prepare to apply. 🔍 Topics Include: • Building effective partnerships • Best practices for rural community engagement • Insights into new local funding opportunities 📣 Open to all nonprofit professionals, board members, volunteers, and community champions. Whether you're scrappy, seasoned, or somewhere in between—there’s something here for you. ✨ Join us for a day of connection, practical tools, and inspired collaboration.

Empowering Rural Business Growth Through Digital Marketing & Advertising Strategies For Your Small Business

9/24/2025 11:35 AM - 9/24/2025 12:20 PM

Location
Main Room
Speakers
  • Chelsea Brosterhous - Owner, Chelsea's Digital Marketing & Ad Agency
Summary
This 60-minute workshop is designed to empower small rural business owners with practical, accessible strategies to grow their local customer base and increase their visibility using social media platforms and Google products.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act

9/24/2025 11:45 AM - 9/24/2025 12:45 PM

Location
Breakout Room
Speakers
  • Katelyn Pay - Manager, Northwest Region, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Summary
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act reshaped the economy with tax incentives for businesses, new tariffs, funding shifts,  and created impacts to nonprofits. As we approach 2026, nonprofits must adapt to a tighter budget landscape while leveraging expanded opportunities for charitable support. Join for a discussion regarding an overview of what exactly has been legislated in the federal budget over the past year and what does the future landscape look like for both businesses and non-profits alike.

The Power of Connections

9/24/2025 1:00 PM - 9/24/2025 1:45 PM

Location
Main Room
Speakers
  • Mary Hambleton - CEO - Trainer - Soul Canyon Training & Development
Summary
As Simon Sinek says, “The value of networking is not measured by the number of people we meet but by the number of people we introduce to others.” Join us at the Rural Business Expo as we speed date our way in a business fashion to great connections. Real Connections are made when we take time to truly listen and share, but that can feel awkward. Mary Hambleton of Soul Canyon Training & Development will be guiding you on this networking journey. It’s a fantastic way to open new doors and make real connections.

Smarter Business Banking: Tools to Save Time, Money & Risk

9/24/2025 1:00 PM - 9/24/2025 2:00 PM

Location
Breakout Room
Speakers
  • Ralph Wallis - Vice President /Business Relationship Officer, People's Bank
  • Victoria Miller - Vice President/Business Development Officer, People's Bank
Summary
Discover banking solutions that simplify financial operations, reduce risk, and boost efficiency. From automated payments to real-time dashboards, this session highlights practical tools to help businesses save time, lower costs, and stay in control.

Small Business Marketing Makeover

9/24/2025 1:55 PM - 9/24/2025 2:40 PM

Location
Main Room
Speakers
  • Sara Irvine - Owner, Impressions Design & Marketing
Summary
Purpose: To help small businesses assess, refresh, and relaunch their marketing with clear, realistic action steps

Marketing Made Local: Digital Tools & Strategies for Small Business Growth

9/24/2025 2:15 PM - 9/24/2025 3:15 PM

Location
Breakout Room
Speakers
  • Teri McKenzie - Multi Media Account Exec, Herald and News
Summary
In a world that’s moving fast, small businesses need practical marketing tools that deliver real results—without losing the personal, community-focused values that make them special. This presentation is designed specifically for small business owners in our community who are looking to grow their brand, reach more customers, and compete in a digital marketplace—while still staying rooted in what matters most: relationships, reputation, and results. We’ll explore how local businesses can use affordable, easy-to-understand marketing strategies—both print and digital—to connect with the right people in the right way. And we’ll talk openly about how the newspaper is working hard to provide value be a true partner to the business community.

Manager Training: Not Optional

9/24/2025 2:50 PM - 9/24/2025 3:35 PM

Location
Main Room
Speakers
  • Amanda Blodgett - Coach/Consultant
Summary
This interactive workshop gives attendees the practical tools to stop promoting people without a plan. We’ll cover foundational leadership skills, communication strategies, and how to coach managers into true leaders—so they can motivate teams, not run them off.

Events that Work: Boosting Visibility & Value in Rural Communities

9/24/2025 3:30 PM - 9/24/2025 4:30 PM

Location
Breakout Room
Speakers
  • Kim Sguera - Klamath Link
Summary
Get the inside scoop on building a buzz and driving real community engagement in the Basin. Topics include: • Events That Work – What makes rural events successful • Dates That Matter – Creating a community calendar that actually works • Work Together, Win Together – Collaborating without the chaos • Mini-Training: Create your nonprofit’s Year-at-a-Glance Plan to stay focused and organized year-round.

Smart Event Marketing

9/24/2025 3:45 PM - 9/24/2025 4:30 PM

Location
Main Room
Speakers
  • Chelsea Brosterhous - Owner, Chelsea's Digital Marketing & Ad Agency
Summary
Hosting and event is only half the battle-getting people to show up is where the magic happens. Whether you’re planning a coy paint night, a seasonal farmers market, or a once-a-year concert, this workshop is packed with practical strategies to boost your event’s visibility and sign-ups. Learn how to use free and paid tools on google and social media platforms to promote your events effectively.

Closing

9/24/2025 5:00 - 9/24/2025 5:15 PM

Location
Main Room
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