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One-Day Conference Brings Critical Resources, Expert Guidance, and Networking Opportunities to Local Small Businesses
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, District 5, announced the full schedule for the 2025 Elevate Small Business Conference, taking place Friday, October 24, 2025, at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus. The Elevate Conference brings together entrepreneurs, small business owners, local organizations, and industry leaders for a day of connection, learning, and opportunity. Featuring over a dozen sessions, workshops, and networking activities, the event is designed to help small business owners gain the tools, resources, and relationships they need to grow and thrive in today’s economy.
“Miami-Dade’s small businesses are the backbone of our local economy,” said Commissioner Eileen Higgins. “Elevate Small Business is about giving them access to knowledge, to capital, to innovation, and to each other. This year’s lineup reflects our commitment to supporting small businesses at every stage of their journey.”
The conference is free and open to registered attendees. Seating is limited for certain sessions and workshops. Participants are encouraged to download the Whova app to access real-time updates, connect with speakers, and plan their personalized conference agenda. Register and find more information on the official conference website, ElevateSmall.biz.
Below is the official schedule for the 2025 Elevate Conference:
7:45 AM – 1:00 PM – Registration and Check-in
Chapman Reception Area (Building 3, 2nd Floor)
- Registered attendees check in and confirm access to sessions via the Whova app.
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM – Networking con Café
- Room 3210 (Chapman Conference Center, Building 3, 2nd Floor)
- Get to know other small business owners and representatives from local organizations supporting small businesses over a continental breakfast and coffee – all provided by local small businesses.
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM – Speed Coaching for Business Capital (Limited Seating)
- Room 3208 (Building 3, 2nd Floor)
- Speakers: Fabiana Estrada, Maria Coto, Jennifer Gerson, Francy Rueda
- Facilitator: Marly Q
- Need funding to grow but not sure where to turn? In this special, fast-paced, small-group session, you’ll meet directly with local financial experts who specialize in small business capital. Think “speed dating,” but designed to connect you with practical insights and resources. You’ll rotate through short, focused conversations with Miami Bayside Foundation, Partners for Self-Employment, Ascendus, and Dade County Federal Credit Union—learning what funding options are available, getting your questions answered, and connecting with fellow business owners.
9:00 AM – 9:25 AM – Conference Kickoff & Opening Remarks
- Room 3210 (Chapman Conference Center)
- Speakers: Commissioner Eileen Higgins
- Emcee: Marly Q
- The Elevate Small Business Conference opens with a warm welcome and a look at the vision behind Elevate: why empowering small businesses is essential to Miami’s future.
9:25 AM – 10:25 AM – Emerging Business Opportunities in a Rapidly Changing World
- Room 3210 (Chapman Conference Center)
- Speakers: Alejandra Y. Castillo, Ines Hernandez
- Technology is advancing faster than most of us realize, and global shifts are changing how we do business. How can small businesses make sense of it all – and, more importantly, find new opportunities? In this main stage conversation, Alejandra Y. Castillo (former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce, EDA) and Ines Hernandez (formerly of Citi and U.S. EDA) will explore what’s on the horizon, from advanced technologies to global trends that are reshaping markets. Expect a discussion that’s equal parts sobering, inspiring, and motivating and an invitation to consider how you and your business might grow in ways you haven’t yet imagined.
10:25 AM – 10:45 AM – Orienting for Success
- Room 3210 (Chapman Conference Center)
- Speaker: Luly B. Carreras
- After hearing about the fast-changing forces shaping our world, it’s time to bring the focus back to you and your business. In this energizing main stage session, Luly B. Carreras will guide you through practical ways to channel fresh insights into action. Expect an interactive experience that helps you build momentum, sharpen your focus, and feel ready to take on new challenges with clarity and confidence.
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – DDA Permit Clinic
- Room 8510 (The Idea Center, Building 8, 5th Floor)
- Speaker: Miami DDA Team
- Permits can be one of the biggest headaches for small businesses—but help is here. In this special pop-up hosted by the Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA), learn about the Permit Clinic – held every week on Thursdays – and how city and county officials can help you navigate the permitting process, troubleshoot challenges, and secure the permits you need. You’ll leave knowing exactly where to go and how to get the support you need to keep your business moving forward.
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM – The Market @ Elevate Conference
- Wolfson Campus Pedestrian Plaza (Kyriakides Plaza, between Buildings 1 & 2)
- Step outside and experience something special: The Market @ Elevate Conference, a lively showcase of local small businesses. From delicious bites to handcrafted gifts, jewelry, candles, and art, the Market is a celebration of Miami’s creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Open throughout the day on the Wolfson Campus Pedestrian Plaza (Kyriakides Plaza), it’s the perfect place to grab lunch, pick up a unique item, and support fellow small business owners. In addition to shopping and sampling, you’ll find a dedicated Networking Lounge—a casual spot with shaded seating, charging stations, and space to meet new people. Whether you’re making a new connection, recharging your phone, or just taking a breather, the Market is your hub for community and connection during the conference.
11:15 AM – 12:05 PM – Concurrent Sessions:
AI Lab for Small Business
- Room 8503 (The Idea Center, Building 8, 5th Floor)
- Speaker: Monique Salomon
- Curious how AI could help your business, but not sure where to start? This session offers a practical, high-level overview of how AI tools can support small business operations. From marketing to customer service to streamlining everyday tasks, you’ll see real-world examples of what’s possible. Monique Salomon will share simple prompting skills, case studies, and resources to help you explore AI at your own pace – whether you’re brand new or already experimenting. Think of it as a tasting menu for the future of business.
Big Business, Low Tech
- Room 8525 (The Idea Center, Building 8, 5th Floor)
- Speakers: Mario Cruz, Ivan Rapin-Smith
- Not a techie? Not a problem. This breakout session is for entrepreneurs who want to build thriving, profitable businesses without relying on complex technology. You’ll learn how certain industries are in high demand and offer high profits while requiring only everyday tech skills (think the kind you already use on your smartphone). And here’s the twist: many of these “low tech” businesses actually power the growth of advanced industries, from data centers to beyond.
Facilitated Networking
- Room 3210 (Chapman Conference Center)
- Speaker: Marly Q
- Sometimes the best insights come from the people sitting next to you. This breakout session is a guided, interactive experience designed to help you meet fellow entrepreneurs or connect with the support organizations in the room—like small business resource centers, chambers, and financial institutions. With Marly Q as your facilitator, you’ll move through fun, structured activities that make networking easy, energizing, and authentic.
Google Presents: Use YouTube to Grow Your Business
- Room 8106 (Building 8, 1st Floor)
- Speaker: Vicente Pimienta
- Video is one of the most powerful ways to reach new customers and grow your brand. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to use YouTube to promote your business, connect with audiences, and build visibility online. Vicente Pimienta, a Grow with Google Digital Coach, will guide you through how to create a YouTube channel, add and organize videos, and promote your business with video ads. Whether you’re brand new to video or ready to take your channel to the next level, this session will give you the tools to get started.
Crea un Landing Page para tu Marca en Canva, usando IA (en español)
- AI Center (Building 2, 1st Floor)
- Speaker: Carelia Alvarado
- ¿Quieres crear un landing page profesional que se adapte a dispositivos móviles — sin saber de código, programación o diseño gráfico? En este taller práctico, aprenderás a usar las herramientas de IA de Canva para transformar los colores, tipografía y tu voz de marca, en un landing page limpia, atractiva y enfocada en la conversión — sin necesidad de experiencia en diseño. Paso a paso, Carelia Alvarado, Coach de Marketing Digital e IA, te guiará para escribir titulares claros, redactar textos persuasivos y construir un diseño que se vea profesional en cualquier dispositivo.
12:05 PM – 1:10 PM – Lunch
- Room 3210 (Chapman Conference Center)
- Enjoy a complimentary boxed lunch, sourced from local small businesses. During this time, we encourage you to visit The Market @ Elevate Conference located in the pedestrian concourse at the college’s central plaza. You’ll find local small business vendors with everything from delicious snacks to unique goods and crafts.
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM – Speed Coaching for Entrepreneurship, Business Strategy & Growth (Limited Seating)
- Room 3208
- Speakers: Matthew Pigatt, Angel Leon, Jesus Padilla, Jorge Guillen
- Facilitator: Marly Q
- Have questions about starting, running, or growing your business? This fast-paced, small group session connects you directly with experts who can help. You’ll rotate through short, focused conversations with representatives from the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, FIU SBDC, Prospera, and The Idea Center—organizations that specialize in everything from business planning and training to growth strategies and procurement support. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your business to the next level, this is your chance to get practical advice and connect with trusted local resources.
1:15 PM – 2:05 PM – Concurrent Sessions:
Less Cards, More Conversations
- Room 8503 (The Idea Center, Building 8, 5th Floor)
- Speaker: Luly B. Carreras
- Let’s be honest—most business cards end up in a forgotten pile. The real magic in networking comes from genuine conversations and meaningful relationships. In this breakout session, Luly B. will share three simple steps to move past awkward small talk and start connecting in a way that feels natural—whether you’re an extrovert, introvert, or somewhere in between. You’ll leave with practical tools to strengthen your marketing and networking skills and a fresh approach to building relationships that actually help your business grow.
Small Team, Big Hire
- Room 8106 (Building 8, 1st Floor)
- Speakers: Victoria Angulo Springer, Terri-Ann Brown
- Looking for help to enhance your team’s tech capability but not sure how to start? Think a tech intern or employee might be a good fit, but not sure how to explain what you need? This session will walk you through how to recruit the right talent to boost your business’s capacity in areas like digital marketing, process improvements, AI, or cybersecurity. You’ll also discover programs that can help cover the cost of an intern, making your first—or next—hire a smart investment in your growth.
Unlocking Government Opportunities
- Room 8525 (The Idea Center, Building 8, 5th Floor)
- Speakers: Myrna Sonora, Gloria Fonseca, Lawanda Wright
- Moderator: Michaeljohn (MJ) Green
- Think government contracts aren’t for businesses like yours? Think again. Every year, millions of dollars in city, county, and federal contracts go to small businesses of all kinds—and yours could be one of them. In this breakout panel, you’ll hear directly from procurement experts and a small business owner who has successfully navigated the process. Together, they’ll demystify how to qualify, bid, and win contracts, while sharing the surprising opportunities these partnerships can create. You’ll leave with practical steps, insider insights, and a fresh perspective on how government work can fuel your business growth.
1:25 PM – 3:15 PM
Special Session: Deep Dive into AI for Business (English)
- AI Center, Building 2
- Speaker: Monique Salomon
- Want to go beyond the basics and actually build with AI? This special 110-minute workshop is a hands-on experience where you’ll explore AI tools and create practical solutions tailored to your business. Guided by Monique Salomon, you’ll follow step-by-step exercises, experiment with real tools, and leave with either a ready-to-use solution or a clear plan for integrating AI into your daily operations. Beginners are welcome, and to make the session as useful as possible, participants will complete a short pre-session survey to help customize the workshop. Strictly limited capacity—participants must bring their laptop.
Sesión Especial: Profundización en IA para Negocios (en español)
- AI Center, Building 2
- Speaker: Iselma Wells
- ¿Quieres ir más allá de lo básico y realmente construir con IA? Este taller especial de 110 minutos es una experiencia práctica donde explorarás herramientas de IA y crearás soluciones adaptadas a tu negocio. Guiada por Iselma Wells, la sesión te llevará paso a paso por ejercicios prácticos para que experimentes con herramientas reales y te lleves una solución lista para usar o un plan claro para integrar la IA en tus operaciones diarias. Los principiantes son bienvenidos, y para asegurar que la sesión sea lo más útil posible, se pedirá a los participantes que completen una breve encuesta previa. Cupo estrictamente limitado—los participantes deben traer su computadora portátil.
2:20 PM – 3:30 PM – Making the Money Work
- Room 3210 (Chapman Conference Center)
- Speakers: Commissioner Eileen Higgins, Maria Coto, Francisco Torres, Jennifer Gerson
- Moderator: Brittany Morgan
- Once you’ve heard the story, it’s time to dive into the solutions. This panel discussion brings together financial experts and an experienced small business owner to help you understand how to access the right capital at the right time. From why it pays to apply for loans before you desperately need them to the paperwork and preparation that make funding possible, this session will give you a candid look at what it takes to be “capital ready.” Panelists will share programs and tools available locally—and you’ll hear directly from a business owner who’s successfully navigated the process.
3:30 PM – 3:50 PM – Coffee & Pastelito Break
- Chapman Reception Area
3:50 PM – 4:35 PM – Building a Team & Blazing Ahead
- Room 3210 (Chapman Conference Center)
- Speakers: Miren Oca, Commissioner Eileen Higgins
- Behind every growing business is a growing team. In this closing main stage conversation, Commissioner Eileen Higgins sits down with Miren Oca who has spent more than 30 years building a thriving local business. Starting as a one-woman operation, Miren has expanded to multiple locations while creating a strong culture that fuels both her team and her company’s success. She’ll share candid lessons on what it takes to grow, how to recover from setbacks, and the importance of building the right culture as you scale. Expect hard-won insights from someone who’s been there—and built something to last. It’s the kind of candid, only-at-Elevate conversation that will leave you inspired to take on your own next chapter—don’t miss it.
4:35 PM – 4:45 PM – Closing Session: Don’t Just Run Your Business, Elevate It!
- Room 3210 (Chapman Conference Center)
- Speaker: Commissioner Eileen Higgins
- The conference closes with reflections and a forward-looking charge from Commissioner Eileen Higgins. After a day of ideas, connections, and inspiration, this final moment will tie it all together—reminding attendees that the real power lies in applying what they’ve learned and staying connected to one another.
