AGENDA
June 4, 2020 #WiTreps
Agenda for 2020
| 8:00 AM | Conference open |
| 8:45 AM | Welcome and keynote by Brian Pinkerton, Chief Architect of Siri at Apple |
| 10:00 AM | Networking break |
| 10:30 AM | Things COVID-19 taught us, why they may be here to stay – and how ‘treps can capitalize |
| Social distancing, face masks, take-outs, curbside delivery and one-way aisles are just a few of the changes that have come with COVID-19. Will life ever be the same again, or should entrepreneurs look for opportunities that reflect an enduring set of post-virus practices? | |
| Moderated by Mark Ehrmann, Quarles & Brady | |
| Panelists: Taralinda Willis, Curate Solutions; Matt Howard, EatStreet and Deb Archer, Destination Madison | |
| 10:30 AM | Negotiating “down” rounds with investors: How entrepreneurs should prepare |
| A “down round” refers to a private company offering additional shares for sale at a lower price than those sold in a previous round or rounds. It’s not anyone’s first choice, but sometimes a reality when valuation dips and cash is needed to keep the company alive. Learn what to expect if your company finds itself in a ‘down round’ position in these uncertain times. | |
| Moderated by Erin Ogden, Ogden Glazer + Schaefer | |
| Panelists: Andrea Dlugos, Wisconsin Investment Partners; John Neis, Venture Investors and Paul Jones, Michael Best | |
| 10:30 AM | Cybersecurity and COVID-19: How to make working from home safer |
| A recent survey revealed that about 42% of Americans can work at home, but the security challenges of doing so are complicated by how that “home office” is configured and maintained. Hear from experts who want to keep you productive … and the “bad guys” out of your work lives. | |
| Moderated by Steve Lyons, SJL Government Affairs & Communications | |
| Panelists: Lois Brooks, UW-Madison Information Technology; Jim Blair, Aberdean Consulting and Sarah Sargent, Godfrey & Kahn | |
| 11:30 AM | Networking break |
| 12:00 PM | Ken Hendricks Memorial “Seize the Day” award presentation |
| 12:30 PM | Exhibitor Hall session |
| 1:30 PM | Workshop: Furloughs, layoffs and rehiring, oh my! Tips on how to handle personnel issues hosted by Jeff Sachse, UW-Oshkosh sponsored by Northwestern Mutual |
| 1:30 PM | Workshop: I got my SBA loan, what next? Legal perspectives hosted by Joe Camilli, Neider & Boucher sponsored by Northwestern Mutual |
| 1:30 PM | Workshop: If you think you’re worried, imagine how investors feel! hosted by Zach Brandon, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce sponsored by Northwestern Mutual |
| 1:30 PM | Workshop: Leading your business through recovery: Financial do’s and don’ts hosted by Ron Bote, WIPFLi sponsored by Northwestern Mutual |
| 1:30 PM | Workshop: Marketing and social media: More important than ever? hosted by Jenny Weeden, Accelity Marketing and Steve Holzhauer, EUA sponsored by Northwestern Mutual |
| 2:30 PM | Securing your first customers: How to make sales in a challenging time |
| With face-to-face meetings out of the picture for now, companies are relying on other formats and tools to connect with customers, to make sales and to maintain healthy relationships. Innovation is yet again changing how companies market their goods and services and demonstrate their value to customers who they may have never met “live.” Learn some tips and practices from our experts. | |
| Moderated by Nathan Hammons, Marquette Law | |
| Panelists: Jackie Hermes, Accelity Marketing; Joe Scanlin, Scanalytics and Regina Newcomb, Northwestern Mutual | |
| 2:30 PM | What kind of deals are getting funded (and what is not) in 2020? |
| Barring an existing investor relationship or current portfolio status, entrepreneurs may find it harder to raise angel and venture capital money during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s not an absolute, however. Investors are still putting money into sectors that reflect the “new normal” of the market. Hear about trends from a veteran investor and two young companies. | |
| Moderated by John McDonald, Godfrey & Kahn | |
| Panelists: Amanda DoAmaral, Fiveable; Jesse DePinto, FrontDesk and Tim Keane, Golden Angels Investors | |
| 2:30 PM | On-shoring: COVID-19 is accelerating the trends technology created |
| One of the lessons of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States was the shortage of personal protection equipment, or PPE, in the domestic pipeline. There were similar supply-chain issues in other sectors that exposed both weaknesses and opportunities. Hear from people who can help young companies identify opportunities that might involve people as well as products and services. | |
| Moderated by Kathy Henrich, MKE Tech Hub | |
| Panelists: Buckley Brinkman, WCMP; Bill Berrien, Pindel Global Precision and Sandipan Gangopadhyay, GalaxE.Solutions | |
| 3:30 PM | Networking break |
| 4:00 PM | Gov’s Business Plan Contest and Wisconsin YES! awards Welcome and congratulatory remarks by Gov. Tony Evers Now available: Watch the Diligent Dozen company presentations here! |