ABOUT THIS YEAR'S EVENT
The Entrepreneurs Forum brings entrepreneurs and influencers together to network, share ideas and discuss the issues that matter most, providing opportunities for learning, growth and connection. We feature world class speakers, exhibitors, and a powerful networking lunch. This year’s theme is AI Update and explores how artificial intelligence is helping every day entrepreneurs save time, become more competitive, and significantly reduce costs.​
Friday May 15, 2026 from 9AM to 1PM at Lawrence Tech University Building #3 in Southfield Michigan.
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*Full conference registration only $97. NEA member discounts available with promo code. Free parking on site.
Questions? Call 248-416-7278
Inspirational Closing Keynote Speaker Glenda Lewis
Founder and CEO at Lewis Legacy Initiative
Glenda Lewis is a 5-time Emmy Award winner, including "Best Anchor." She joined the WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 news team on September 1, 2003. Before working her way to her home town, Glenda began her career as a reporter/photographer at WBKB-TV in Alpena. She then moved on to WLNS-TV in Lansing as a reporter/anchor. She is Founder and CEO of The Lewis Legacy Initiative dedicated to improving the lives of family caregivers, from emotional encouragement to practical resources.
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"I founded this organization in honor of our loved ones… and out of respect for all Caregivers… so that we can use our experience to help make regular responsibilities easier for those providing care for loved ones in their home."
Attend the 2026 Entrepreneurs Forum and hear the inspiring journey that lead to The Lewis Legacy Initiative.
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Event Host Dr. ZaLonya Allen | President/CEO at NEA
For over a decade, Dr. Zalonya has helped individuals shift their thinking, overcome mental barriers, and achieve their goals. She is a seasoned entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience and the curator of the nationally acclaimed NEA Entrepreneur Bootcamp and Certification Program, which has graduated over 300 entrepreneurs strengthening their foundation to build sustainable businesses. As a speaker and coach she specializes in entrepreneurship and leadership development. Her work is rooted in psychology and business, equipping clients with the tools to think more strategically.
Dr. Allen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Michigan, a Master’s in Industrial Relations from Wayne State University, and a Doctorate in Psychology from Northcentral University. She began her career in education in 2002, teaching business and psychology courses. Through her work she empowers entrepreneurs to overcome mental challenges and master their mindset.
Shaun Zhang | Chief AI Officer at Think Technologies
AI Training Session Speaker | Topic - Never Lose a Lead Again
Shaun will show you how to automate your networking and leads automatically using AI whether its scanning business cards or sending a follow-up email. Shaun Zhang is the Chief AI Solution Officer at Think Technologies, an AI consultancy based in Detroit that helps businesses automate operations, capture leads, and integrate artificial intelligence into everyday workflows.
Shaun also leads the Detroit chapter of the AI Collective, a nationwide community of builders and entrepreneurs working hands-on with AI tools. Shaun specializes in making AI practical and accessible turning complex technology into systems that save time and drive revenue. His workshop background: automation platforms, AI-powered data extraction and CRM integration. He is certified in Open AI and earned a MBA from University of Singapore and a MAM from Yale School of Management.
Heather McGlone | Founder of Ace Strategies
AI Training Session Speaker | Topic - AI for Entrepreneurs: Smart Marketing Without a Bigger Team
Heather McGlone is the founder of ACE Strategies, a marketing company that partners with entrepreneurs and small businesses to amplify visibility, cultivate meaningful relationships, and elevate their impact. Since 2013, Heather and her team have helped business owners clarify their message, market strategically, and shine online.
She specializes in practical AI applications for marketing and LinkedIn strategy, teaching entrepreneurs how to use artificial intelligence to save time, strengthen messaging, and create consistent content while maintaining an authentic voice. Heather is also the creator of an AI-focused marketing course that empowers solopreneurs and small business owners to take control of their monthly marketing. Through speaking, workshops, and education, she equips entrepreneurs to market smarter, build momentum, and grow with confidence.
Gabe Wilson|Microsoft Certified AI Engineer|Founder of Edgy Design Group
AI Training Session Speaker | Topic - AI Systems to Create Seven Figure Businesses
Gabe Wilson is a Microsoft Certified AI Engineer and the founder of Edgy Design Group, one of the nation’s premier AI automation companies. After more than 23 years in Corporate America, Gabe made the bold decision to walk away and redefine how businesses operate, making AI accessible, practical, and profitable.
He specializes in AI automation, voice assistants, chatbots, mobile app development, and AI education & training, helping entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies integrate intelligent systems that save time, cut costs, and drive scalable growth. To date, his AI solutions have generated over $17 million in client revenue. Featured in Black Enterprise Magazine, iHeart Radio, and SiriusXM, Gabe is recognized as a trusted innovator bridging advanced technology with everyday business success. His mission is clear: to empower businesses and communities to thrive in the AI ERA.
Rosh Sillars | Founder of Rosh Media
Fireside Chat Speaker | Topic - How AI Powers Podcasts & YouTube for Business Growth
Learn how a podcast can skyrocket your business and position you for greater success. Rosh Sillars launched his first podcast in 1999, featuring business tips delivered as internet audio on the rosh.com website, which has since been sold. His first business involvement in social media began in 1997. Beginning in March 2007, Sillars co-hosted the Prosperous Artists podcast and blog with writer Dean Ladouceur. He later combined his passions for new media and photography to create and host NewMediaPhotographer.com from June 2008 through September 2011.
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He continues to podcast and publish on YouTube through the Creative AI Show, which he co-hosts with Bryon Scott. Other related projects include CityNet Magazine, a print and online magazine published from 2000 to 2001, and mysuccessradio.com, an internet audio portal active from 2003 to 2004. Rosh is the author of One Hour Photographer, two Wiley Digital Field Guides, and co-author of The Linked Photographers Guide to Marketing and Social Media, published by Cengage Learning. He is also the founder of Rosh Media, a division of The Rosh Group, Inc., where he focuses on Google and YouTube marketing.
Van Allen | Founder of Van Allen Productions
Fireside Chat Speaker | Topic: How AI Powers Podcasts & YouTube for Business Growth
Van Allen is a lifelong entrepreneur and the founder of Van Allen Productions, a company dedicated to producing high-quality video and audio projects. With a passion for innovation, he has taught himself how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to create compelling, professional video content leaving audiences amazed at what AI is truly capable of.
Blending creativity with cutting-edge technology, Van Allen will helps entrepreneurs understand how video can dramatically increase visibility, engagement, and revenue. In his upcoming talk, he will break down the AI-driven techniques he uses to create music videos, empowering others to create impactful content without the traditional barriers of time, cost, or technical expertise.
Entrepreneurs Forum Highlights
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Powerful Speakers
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Hands on Training Sessions
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AI Resources Panel Discussion
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Exhibitors and Vendors
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Business Resources
- Continental Breakfast
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Power Networking Lunch
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All Cohort Class Reunion
*Picture from 2025 Entrepreneurs Forum
Michael Wynn | Certified AI Consultant and Financial Coach
AI Panel Speaker | Topic - Compliance
Michael D. Wynn, a.k.a “Coach Win”, is a Habit Success Strategist, Certified AI Consultant, and AI Compliance Architect. As the founder of Coach Win, LLC and HabitGuard Solutions, LLC, he helps entrepreneurs and organizations turn obstacles into winning strategies by aligning disciplined habits, smart financial practices, and responsible AI integration. His core belief is simple: success isn’t accidental, it’s built through consistent, intentional habits that drive performance and protect growth.
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With over 35 years of experience, Michael has led large-scale audits, compliance initiatives, and financial oversight across various sectors, including government, casino gaming, education, construction, and nonprofits. ​As a three-time bestselling author and the creator of the Habit Matrix Framework and the HabitGuard System, Michael’s vision of service stems from his background as a Certified Fraud Examiner, Financial Literacy Trainer, Authenticity Coach, and Licensed Builder.
Angelo Austin | Automationist at Austin Media Group
AI Panel Speaker | Topic - Automating Your Business for Growth
Angelo Austin founded Austin Media Group after recognizing that many strong businesses were struggling, not due to a lack of talent or work ethic, but because their communication systems were broken or outdated. With a background in digital marketing, Angelo Austin’s early education largely came from building and scaling his own businesses.
Through self-teaching, earning certifications, and growing an e-commerce brand to six figures, he developed a new perspective on marketing. It became less about individual tactics and more about systems, how leads are generated, how follow-up is managed, and how trust is built consistently over time.
Melissa McClary Davis | CEO of Wise Digital Marketing
AI Panel Speaker | Topic - Strategic Marketing Transformations
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Melissa McClary Davis is an award-winning Fractional CMO, Speaker, and CEO of Wise Digital Marketing, a Detroit-based agency. She is a visionary dedicated to helping small and mid-market businesses grow with confidence and clarity. With over 30 years of digital marketing experience, including work for Fortune 500 companies like Coca-Cola, Ford, and Meta, Melissa brings enterprise-level strategy to the entrepreneurial community. She specializes in strategic marketing transformations, guiding clients to upgrade their systems and align marketing with business goals.
Through her signature Wise Digital Marketing Revenue Blueprint, Melissa helps business owners streamline their tech stack with AI and drive revenue through performance-focused digital strategies. She is a sought-after speaker and educator, celebrated for her energetic, relatable teaching style and actionable insights.
Susan Gordon-Jackson, MSIS, PMP, is a Certified AI Consultant and healthcare IT strategist with extensive experience leading complex technology and business transformation initiatives. As founder of Gordon-Jackson Solutions and Strategies LLC, she helps entrepreneurs and organizations use AI to streamline operations, improve decision-making, and drive growth.
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Susan combines deep expertise in project management, Agile, and healthcare systems with practical AI strategies that deliver measurable results. She has led multimillion-dollar initiatives across national organizations and now focuses on making AI accessible and actionable for business leaders. A former adjunct professor and dynamic speaker, Susan is known for turning complex concepts into clear, strategic insights that help entrepreneurs confidently adopt AI and turn ideas into outcomes.
Susan Gordon Jackson|Certified AI Consultant | Healthcare IT Strategist
AI Panel Speaker | Topic - Streamlining Operations
Robin Suomi, MBA | Founder of MEG Community & Start Up Growth
AI Panel Speaker | Topic - AI Tools
Robin Suomi, MBA, is a former business professor and the founder of Startup to Growth and MEG Community. She has worked with more than 2,000 small business owners across her career, helping them strengthen operations, make informed decisions, and grow in ways that fit their goals. Her work has always centered on one purpose: helping small businesses succeed.
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As a small business coach, Robin has spent years inside the day-to-day realities that owners face. She has seen the benefits that new tools can bring, along with the risks that come from adopting them without understanding how they work. This experience shapes her approach to artificial intelligence and its role in the small business ecosystem. In her AI Essentials course, Robin teaches owners how to use AI from a position of knowledge. In her coaching work, she helps clients apply that understanding by focusing on strategy, judgment, and the human insight required to strengthen and refine what AI produces.
BRING YOUR LAPTOP!
AI Training Session Descriptions
Session One
Never Lose a Lead Again: Capture, Connect, and Convert Automatically
Instructor: Shaun Zhang | Chief AI Officer at Think Technologies
At an event, you may encounter a valuable contact, capture their business card, and then neglect to follow up. Life’s demands often lead to missed opportunities. In this hands-on workshop, you will develop an easy automation that captures a business card’s image, extracts contact information using artificial intelligence, saves it to your Google Sheet (or your preferred CRM), and drafts a personalized follow-up email within seconds. You will emerge with a functional system that transforms every handshake into a meaningful connection. Please bring your laptop, your phone and business card(s).
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Key Takeaways:
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Capture and organize business contacts instantly using AI
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Eliminate missed opportunities with automated follow-up
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Generate personalized emails in seconds
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Build a ready-to-use system to streamline your networking process
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Session Two
AI for Entrepreneurs: Smart Marketing Without a Bigger Team
Instructor: Heather McGlone | Founder of Ace Strategies
AI is the great equalizer for entrepreneurs, giving small businesses access to tools and capabilities that were once reserved for larger teams. In this practical session, you’ll learn how to use AI strategically to clarify your messaging, create content efficiently, and build consistent marketing systems — all while maintaining your authentic voice and without adding headcount.
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Key Takeaways:
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How to use AI to improve messaging clarity and strengthen positioning
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A simple system for turning one idea into multiple marketing assets
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The right balance between AI efficiency and human strategy
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A practical workflow you can implement immediately to save time and increase consistency
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Session Three
AI Systems to Create Seven Figure Businesses
Instructor: Gabe Wilson|Microsoft Certified AI Engineer|Founder of Edgy Design Group
In this powerful session, you’ll discover how to leverage AI systems to build and scale a seven-figure business with greater speed and efficiency. Learn how entrepreneurs are using automation, data, and smart workflows to reduce costs, increase productivity, and maximize profits. This workshop will break down practical AI tools and strategies that can streamline operations, enhance marketing, and improve decision-making. Whether you're just starting or looking to scale, you’ll gain actionable insights to implement AI systems that drive real business growth.
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Key Takeaways:
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Identify AI systems that can accelerate business growth and scalability
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Automate key operations to save time and reduce overhead
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Leverage AI for smarter marketing and customer acquisition
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Build efficient workflows that support consistent revenue growth
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Fireside Chat with Rosh Sillars and Van Allen
How AI Powers Podcasts & YouTube for Business Growth
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This session brings together longtime podcaster and marketer Rosh Sellars and AV professional Van Allen, for an engaging fireside chat. Drawing on Rosh’s real-world podcasting experience and Van’s deep background in video production, this conversation will break down how entrepreneurs can create compelling content without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re already producing podcasts or YouTube videos or have been holding back because it seems like too much work, you’ll discover how AI tools can simplify planning, production, and promotion.
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Key Takeaways:
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Learn how to simplify content creation with AI
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Discover how to scale your podcast & YouTube channel
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Learn how to turn content into clients and revenue
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Build confidence and consistency with AI support
Panel Discussion
The Truth About AI - Myths, Misconceptions and Growth Strategies for Entrepreneurs
​​This interactive discussion will tackle common fears and misconceptions about AI, separating hype from reality so you can make informed decisions. Panelists will share real-world examples of how entrepreneurs and small businesses are using AI to save time, reduce costs, and accelerate growth. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already using AI in your business, you’ll gain practical insights and strategies you can apply right away. Come ready to learn, ask questions, and walk away with a new level of understanding to move your business forward.
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Key Takeaways:​
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Separating AI myths from real-world business opportunities
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Practical ways to use AI to save time and reduce costs
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Strategies to leverage AI for faster, smarter business growth
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Building confidence to adopt and integrate AI into your business
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Event Venue:
Lawrence Technological University UTLC Gallery
Address: 21000 West 10 Mile Road Southfield, MI 48075​​
Located on the beautiful campus of Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI, the UTLC Gallery offers a modern setting designed to inspire connection and innovation. Surrounded by open green spaces and featuring convenient, ample parking, the venue provides both comfort and accessibility. The spacious gallery is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, setting the stage for an unforgettable event.
CONNECT WITH EXHIBITORS AND VENDORS
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Pictures from 2025 NEA Entrepreneurs Forum
Attention entrepreneurs and professionals! Don't miss the opportunity to be a vendor at the 2026 Entrepreneurs Forum: AI Update and connect with hundreds of professionals. Register on Eventbrite using the register link below.
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​2026 Vendor Space Includes
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2 Conference Registrations
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6 Foot Table with 2 Chairs
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Listing on Conference Web Page
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Listing in Program Book
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Multiple Social Media Mentions
Questions? Call 248-416-7278