Broken Arrow Business Conference

The second annual Broken Arrow Business Conference, “Finishing the Race,” is a two-day program designed to appeal to small businesses.

By: Duane Blankenship | Category: Other | Issue: February 2011

Vanessa Komara and Tammy Fate display tickets for the two-day 2011 Broken Arrow Business Conference sponsored by the Broken Arrow Area Chamber of Commerce.

The second annual Broken Arrow Business Conference, “Finishing the Race,” is scheduled for Thursday, March 3, and Friday, March 4, 2011. This is a two-day program featuring international guest speakers, networking and skill-building exercises. The event will be held at Northeastern State University Broken Arrow Campus and is sponsored by the Broken Arrow Area Chamber of Commerce.

The conference is designed to appeal to small businesses. According to Vanessa Komara, one of the event organizers and participants, “Small businesses have low success rates, and we want to continue helping small business owners learn how to beat the odds. Our featured guest speakers will have lots of tips on ‘Finishing the Race,’ the theme of the 2011 conference.”

The Broken Arrow Business Conference is expanding its outreach throughout Tulsa and surrounding communities. Since many small business owners are not able to attend national conferences on how to build business, this conference brings well-known and respected international speakers to northeastern Oklahoma to offer their advice and speak on successful small business practices.

Participants may attend all or part of the activities related to the conference.

Conference speakers will include Scott Klososky, Heather Rumley, Brian Epperson, Kelly Riggs and Jack Nation.

Scott Klososky is a former CEO of three successful startup companies with a specialty in looking ahead to see how technology is changing the world. Scott applies his skills to help organizations thrive, leaders prosper, and entire industries move forward. He loves technology and continually works in the trenches of building his own companies.

Heather Rumley is a founding partner of ClearWater Performance Group, a performance acceleration firm. She works with senior level executives in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors to improve their organizational performance through successful leadership development.

Dr. Brian Epperson is a consultant and executive coach who works one-on-one with business leaders to help them navigate critical issues that impact them professionally and personally.

Kelly Riggs is widely recognized as a powerful speaker and dynamic trainer in the fields of leadership, sales development and strategic planning. Kelly is also a registered corporate coach with the World Association of Business Coaches.

Jack Nation began running in 2006. In five short years he has participated in numerous 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, full marathons, Duathlons, and Triathlons. Jack serves as an inspiration to others and shares his love of running by coaching beginning runners at Fleet Feet Tulsa. He is currently coaching a group of runners to complete a 4-4 1/2 minute marathon. Jack is the Operations Superintendent at Holly Corporation and has been employed at the company for more than 29 years. He will finish the conference with a motivational story of his life, challenging the attendees to make their plan, set their goals and finish their race.

Motivational speakers will get down to the nuts and bolts leading to the success of small businesses. “The Broken Arrow Area Chamber of Commerce really has a great heart for small business,” said Komara. “Last year’s conference was a real lifeline for me and my business. I’ve been able to do more personal networking as a result of it and now have a new family of friends and business acquaintances.”

Sponsors of the 2011 Broken Arrow Business Conference include Espo Construction, Northeastern State University and Komara Marketing Group.

On Thursday evening, March 3, NSU will be hosting a huge Business After Hours, open to Broken Arrow Chamber members and the public and showcasing the Conference Expo. This will be another great opportunity for attendees to showcase their businesses while they are growing professionally.

For additional information about “Finishing the Race,” visit www.babusinessconference.com, or call Brenda Senter at (918) 251-1518. You may register online or by mail.

For more information, contact