2025 Feature Speakers


Thursday, February 20

Time 2:00PM – 3:15PM  “Brand Identity Using Color & Design”

Speaker – Mark Stegeman, Owner of Stegeman Design Works

      Mark will present various approaches to stand out from your competition and establish brand identity using color and design.  He will give examples of how color and design can be used to create a consistent communication system across packaging, social media, digital advertising, menu design and other forms of printed materials.

     Mark Stegman is the owner of Stegeman Design Works.  He has played an integral role in transforming brands like Ferris Coffee, Hudsonville Ice Cream, Amway, Steelcase, Perrigo, and many more.  Mark is a graduate of Kendall College of Art & Design and Western Michigan University.

Time 3:30PM – 4:45PM  “Hate Change? Learn to Love it & Soar”

Speaker – Cynthia Kay, Founder of Cynthia Kay & Company

     The world is changing right before our eyes.  Every industry is facing changes in technology, customer preferences and the workforce.  There have been more changes in the past decade than in the past century and the rate of change is still accelerating.

     Cynthia will share lessons about the world of work including; personal traits that are most important during times of change, how to navigate change and help others, common communication mistakes that hinder change, and examples of companies that embrace change and became more profitable.  Change isn’t going away – learn to love it and soar.

Cynthia Kay is the founder of Cynthia Kay and Company, former Board Chair of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), and Chair of the SBAM Political Action Council.  She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Marketing Department of the Seidman School of Business at Grand Valley State University.


Friday, February 21
Time – 8:45AM – 11:00AM  “Small Business, Big Success”
Speaker – Cynthia Kay, Founder of Cynthia Kay & Company

     Small business is one of the most trusted entities in America today.  But that doesn’t mean doing business is easy.  Cynthia will look at the challenges and offer proven strategies to help beat the odds.  It takes a focus on operations, knowing how to make connections, and delight customers.