LEXINGTON, Ky. — Commerce Lexington’s 2024 EMERGE Conference presented by University of Kentucky Online will bring together business professionals from across the Greater Lexington region for a day of professional development, networking, engaging keynote speakers, informative breakout sessions, and discovering ways to better connect to and impact their community.
An outgrowth of one of Commerce Lexington’s past Leadership Visits, the 2024 EMERGE Conference will take place Tuesday, March 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington.
“This conference is unique in the fact that it offers both professional development and community education opportunities, providing attendees with relevant information about hot topics in our community and skill development that has an impact,” added Afton Fairchild (American Heart Association), co-chair of the EMERGE Planning Committee.
The Luncheon Keynote sponsored by Guide Realty will feature Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, hosts of the popular podcast “Pantsuit Politics.” During their speaking engagements, they help individuals and teams establish a foundation for curious, respectful, life-changing exploration of values and policies, harness the power of healthy disagreement, and create dialogue when organizations confront difficult issues. Sarah and Beth also help facilitate conversations about specific tensions through communication and leadership skills.
Kicking off the conference will be Dr. Bryan K. Williams, the Morning Keynote sponsored by Hanna Resource Group. Williams is a speaker, consultant and author who is a noted authority on service excellence and leadership effectiveness. His high-energy approach educates and inspires professionals to be consistently exceptional. Williams was the global corporate director of training and organizational effectiveness for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. He is the founder of the BW Leadership Academy, the STRONG Leader Institute, the Manager Skills Workshop, and has authored six books.
EMERGE also contains a variety of breakout sessions covering tracks like community education and professional development. Here are a few of topics for breakout sessions:
COMMUNITY EDUCATION TRACK:
- Advance Your Career (and Do Good) with Nonprofit Board Service.
- The Power of Community Festivals & Projects in Central Kentucky.
- Thinking Historically as a Leader.
- Mobile Food Market.
- Marketing the Region.
- How Expanded Gaming Has Impacted the State and Local Economy.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRACK:
- Elevate Your Brand: The Power of Personal & Professional Presence.
- Prompting the Future: Best Use Cases and Empowerment Strategies with GenAI.
- Is This a Hobby or a Business?
- Navigating Financial Uncertainty.
- Hitting the Brakes to Go Further.
- Creating a Culture of Belonging.
For a schedule and a list of breakout sessions, speakers, and registration information, visit www.emergelexington.com.
The cost to attend is $225 per person and includes a full-day professional development, lunch, keynote speakers, and the after party sponsored by Dinsmore.
