CENTRAL WYOMING INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE (cwie)

Industry Roundtable

Moderator: Rocky Case, Center Director, Manufacturing Works

Panelists:
● Kevin Kershisnik – Economic Development
● Dan Starks – National Museum of Military Vehicles
● Will Cayton – BWXT (American Nuclear Energy & Technology Company)
● Dana Miller – Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Coordinator, Office of Economic
Transformation, Gillette, WY
● Lindsey Stutheit – Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Business Studio at Laramie County Community College

Breakout Session #1 – Panels & Discussions

● A Conversation with Bill Rancic – TV Personality & Entrepreneur Moderated by Will Hill, President of KAIROS Communications

Join Bill Rancic, TV personality and entrepreneur, as he shares his journey from The Apprentice to building successful businesses. Moderated by Will Hill, President of KAIROS Communications, this session will offer insights on leadership, risk-taking, and entrepreneurship. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and connect.

● Silicon Couloir: StartUp Wyoming – Phase II

Join Rob Kellogg (Silicon Couloir), Blossom Ko Lumley (StartupWY), and TaylorVignaroli (WBC) as they discuss the partnership between Silicon Couloir and the Wyoming Business Council. This panel will cover their efforts to support Wyoming’s next generation of entrepreneurs, sharing key lessons, their vision for the future, and resources available to local innovators and business founders.

● Wind River Development Fund: Recompete Grant Projects – Updates & Strategies

Join us for an update on the Wind River Development Fund’s Recompete Grant Projects, highlighting their impact on local communities and economic growth. Learn strategies for leveraging these grants and gain insights into funding opportunities and best practices for future projects.

● Chamber of Commerce: Maximizing Support from Your Local Chamber

Discover how your local Chamber of Commerce can be a powerful resource for business growth and community engagement. This session will explore the various programs, networking opportunities, and support services available to help businesses thrive. Learn how to leverage Chamber resources to enhance visibility, gain new clients, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

Opening Session with Governor Mark Gordon

2025 Wyoming Small Business Person of the Year

Breakout Session #2 – Panels & Discussions

● Tabatha Coffey – Bravo TV Personality, Entrepreneur & Women’s Leadership Advocate

Join Bravo TV’s Tabatha Coffey as she shares her journey in entrepreneurship and women’s leadership. Moderated by Leslie Larsen, Owner of Studio 402 in Riverton,WY, this session offers insights on overcoming business challenges, building confidence, and leading with purpose. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and connect.

● Getting Your Small Business Funded and Other Small Business Resources

Looking to successfully launch or expand your business but don’t know where to start? Join P.J. Burns, NE WY Regional Director of the WY Small Business Development Center, to evaluate different funding sources, calculate anticipated costs, and understand strategies for securing a business loan. She will also review small business resources available in the state of Wyoming.

● Wyoming’s Innovators & Entrepreneurs (WIE) Panel: How to Innovate in Your Business

Innovation drives business success in Wyoming. Join industry leaders Brian Deurloo(Frog Creek Partners), Lauren Heerschap (Brunton), and Josh Law (Only Co.) as they share how creativity, adaptability, and bold decision-making have fueled their growth in the state’s unique landscape. Moderated by Josh Law, this panel offers practical insights and inspiration for entrepreneurs and future Wyoming leaders.

● gBETA Panel: Founder Success Stories & Lessons Learned

Join us for an inspiring panel discussion featuring founders from the gBETA accelerator program as they share key lessons learned on their startup journeys. From overcoming early challenges to scaling their businesses, this session will provide real-world insights, actionable advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at the entrepreneurial process. Whether you’re launching a startup or looking to refine your business strategy, this panel is a must-attend for valuable takeaways and networking opportunities.

Breakout Session #3 – Panels & Discussions

● Mike Wandler, President, L.H. Industrial Inc.: Leadership in Innovation & Energy
Solutions

Mike Wandler, President of L.H. Industrial Inc., leads the company in delivering innovative energy solutions and cutting-edge technologies. This session will explore Mike’s leadership strategies, how L.H. Industrial stays ahead in the energy sector, and the role of innovation in creating a sustainable, efficient energy future. Attendees will gain insights into industry leadership and the future of energy solutions.

● Cybersecurity Myths and Simple Steps to Make Your Small Business Cyber Ready

No business is too small to be a target for hackers and scammers, and there are very simple steps you can take to make your online activities safer and more secure. Join P.J. Burns, NE WY Regional Director of the WY Small Business DevelopmentCenter as she debunks commonly held myths about small businesses and cybersecurity and reviews some simple safeguards against cyber attacks that cost little or no money.

● Women in Business: Entrepreneurship Panel

Join a distinguished panel of accomplished women entrepreneurs as they share their insights, challenges, and strategies for success. Moderated by Erica Warren-Yarber, Chief Operating Officer of the Wind River Development Fund, this session will offer valuable perspectives on leadership, resilience, and innovation. Attendees will gain practical advice on overcoming obstacles and building a strong, supportive network in business.

● gAlpha/Beta Accelerator Program

Baylie Evans will describe and answer questions about the free gALPHA and gBETA Wyoming startup accelerator programs. These are completely free programs created and hosted through gener8tor, a national venture capital firm and accelerator network. They are designed to help foster high-growth startup ideas and/or support existing companies achieve revenue goals and potentially take on venture capital investment.

Breakout Session #4 – Panels & Discussions

● Manufacturing Works: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) for Innovation & Efficiency

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming Wyoming’s key industries boosting efficiency and reshaping the workforce. Led by Rocky Case, Director at Manufacturing Works, this session will explore how to leverage AI to drive productivity and innovation. This session is essential for professionals in manufacturing, energy, agriculture, transportation, and beyond who want to leverage AI to drive innovation, sustainability, and economic growth, shaping Wyoming’s AI-powered future.

● Aggie Macy: Innovative Data Solutions & Methodologies

Join Agnes Macy for a session on cutting-edge data solutions transforming industries as she shares lessons and insights from her environmental project. Learn practical approaches to harness and leverage data from this local temperature and air quality study.

● Wyoming Business Council: WyoBiz Link – Connecting Entrepreneurs with Opportunities

Join the Wyoming Business Council to explore WyoBiz Link, a platform designed to connect entrepreneurs with resources, funding, and partners. Learn how it helps businesses grow and thrive in Wyoming, offering valuable tools and success stories to support startups and established companies alike.