Milwaukee, Wis. (Aug. 26, 2023) – In its fourth year, Indigenous Biz Con celebrates the theme “Rising Tides: Building Economies, Empowering Generations”. The annual operator-ran business gathering hosted by Indigenous Business Group is set to take place on October 13-14 at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee, Wis. Registration is now open at /indigenousbusinessgroup.org/event/indigenous-business-con.
Indigenous Biz Con creates opportunities for building collaborative ventures between Native-owned businesses and state or corporate partners. The two-day business event provides an opportunity for attendees to learn, network, and collaborate to build meaningful partnerships that result in business.
The event features business operators at the forefront with engaging discussions, impactful programming, an Indigenous vendors marketplace, Hoan Bridge Lighting Ceremony in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and much more. It invites Indigenous nations, businesses, and operators to lead while breaking down barriers to economic development, building community, and elevating the voices of Native entrepreneurs.
“Indigenous Biz Con brings together Tribal leaders, Indigenous business owners, and non-Indigenous business operators to imagine a brighter, more economically vibrant economic future for Indigenous people and the Wisconsin business community as a whole,” said Indigenous Business Group Co-founder member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians Rob Pero. “We bring Native and non-Native organizations into the same room, and deals get closed.”
The event begins with a traditional opening ceremony on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Monday, Oct. 13, followed by educational seminars on the region’s Indigenous economy, the future of Indigenous workforce development, and roundtable discussions from Wisconsin’s Tribal Leadership.
Monday’s evening reception includes cultural music, artisan showcase, culinary experiences
Hone Bridge Lighting Ceremony in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
On Tuesday, Oct. 14, breakout sessions will cover the diverse industries and topics relevant to Indigenous business and entrepreneurship. Marketing, AI, real estate, cannabis and hemp, infrastructure, energy, housing, and more are among the topics to be discussed. Chris James, president and CEO of the National Center For American Indian Enterprise Development, will also be in attendance as he continues his race for the United States Congress. A descendant of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, James is running as a Democrat in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District.
“In the uncertain landscape of federal funding, this conference can help build stability for Indigenous businesses,” said Pero.
The event is presented by Indigenous Business Group, which was established in 2022 to bring donors, companies, tribes, and other organizations together to promote Indigenous business and tribal economic development.
If you would like to attend Indigenous Biz Con, or if you are interested in sponsorship or
speaking opportunities, more information can be found online at
indigenousbusinessgroup.org and via phone at 920-371-8368.
