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Detroit Regional Chamber > Detroit Policy Conference > Small Businesses Take Center Stage at the 2021 Detroit Policy Conference

Small Businesses Take Center Stage at the 2021 Detroit Policy Conference

July 6, 2021
The 2021 Detroit Policy Conference will provide a platform to celebrate and discuss Detroit’s bright future. National and local thought leaders will share insight on Detroit’s resilience and ability to come back stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic. Essential to this comeback is the success of Detroit’s small business community. In a November poll released by the Detroit Regional Chamber, 58% of Michigan voters said helping small businesses bounce back was the first issue that state leaders should address coming out of COVID-19.

To that end, the Conference, chaired by local small business owner Dennis W. Archer Jr., chief executive officer of Ignition Media Group and founding partner of Archer Corporate Services, will shine a light on the perseverance of the region’s small business community with a host of speakers who will share how they have strategically navigated the challenges of the past year and a half as small business owners and look ahead at what is in store for this critical economic sector.

For instance, local business owners will take the stage for a panel discussion showcasing Detroit small businesses, touching on changes in the restaurant industry, expected openings in the city, and what the future looks like for restaurants in Detroit. Speakers include business owners Stephanie Byrd, co-owner of The Block, Garden Theatre, and Flood’s Bar and Grille; Jeremy Sasson, owner of Heirloom Hospitality; and Bea Wolnerman, owner of Bea’s and Bea’s Squeeze.

In addition to the speaker lineup, the Conference will feature a variety of small business vendors at the Detroit Small Business Street exhibit. Guests can look forward to exploring these small businesses’ offerings and learn more about their products and services throughout the event:

  • Boutiki
  • Detroit Cocoa Bar
  • Faust Haus Roasting Co.
  • Glastonbury Collective
  • Good Cookies LLC
  • House of Pure Vin
  • MG Studio Professional Haircare
  • Norwest Gallery
  • Robert Courtney & Associates
  • The Body Zeal
  • Urban Graphix

The Chamber is also supporting local small businesses as technology, catering, and logistics partners of the Conference itself. These businesses include:

  • Creative Day Technologies
  • Detroit Mini Donut
  • Encore Catering and Banquet Center
  • Meadowbrook Ice Cream
  • The Right Productions, Inc.
  • Trailer Events

Learn more about the Conference at detroitchamber.com/dpc.