Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation: 2026 Economic Summit
April 28, 2026 @ 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Join us for an energizing event designed to ignite collaborations and fuel local business & community success!
Get energized with a full (or half) day spent sparking your small business spirit!
Learn how and why to build the connections that can light up your business and your community.
EVENT SUMMARY
🔆MORNING FOCUS: Energizing Economic Ideas 🔆
Receive economic updates from the region’s local governments and economic partners, then energize your entrepreneurial spirit with keynote speaker Joe Thiel, CEO of Innovate Marquette SmartZone (INFO), as he shares big ideas for sparking innovation in rural communities and beyond!
After that, learn what it takes to start and sustain a successful small business from a panel of local entrepreneurs. Round out the morning with featured presenter Kurt Bauer, President/CEO of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (INFO), as he shares the results of WMC’s recently-released Wisconsin Competitiveness Report and explains how businesses across northcentral Wisconsin and beyond can use this information to help them chart a proactive path forward.
🚚FOOD TRUCKS LUNCH: Choose your meal from one of Merrill’s local food trucks and enjoy some great food while supporting local small businesses!
STAY TUNED to find out which businesses will be bringing their tasty energy to the Summit!
💡AFTERNOON FOCUS: Igniting the Small Business Spirit💡
Businesses are closely intertwined with the communities they serve, and positive collaborations are crucial to creating healthy local economic ecosystems. The afternoon sessions will explore ideas for working together in ways that spark both business and community success. Topics will include building successful financial partnerships, finding the right business resources, creating collaborative marketing strategies, and understanding the business benefits of supporting community partners.
Bring it all together in the closing presentation with small town entrepreneur Mike Hobbs as he shares his story about igniting community-led small business growth in Pittsville, WI, and inspires attendees to power up their own communities.
🌞BONUS EVENT: Business After Hours! 5 – 7 pm
Stick around after the Summit (or come back!) for a bonus Business After Hours with the Merrill Chamber! Enjoy two extra hours of networking, free food & drinks, raffles, and more! Don’t miss this chance to dive into the topics from the Summit, build new relationships, and energize your small business spirit in a fun new way.
OPEN TO ALL EDC PARTNERS & BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS looking to grow their networks (and have a little fun!). Summit attendance not required (just encouraged).
For more information click here.
Download the 2026 Economic Summit Flier.
