The Southwest Business Summit 2026 is back with a bold and timely theme: Leading Through Change.

In a business landscape shaped by constant shifts, this year’s Summit is designed for entrepreneurs and leaders who are navigating growth, uncertainty, and what comes next. Across two impactful days, attendees will hear practical insights, real stories, and forward-thinking ideas grounded in the realities of today’s business world.

We are proud to welcome Arlene Dickinson as the 2026 keynote speaker. A celebrated entrepreneur, best-selling author, and venture capitalist, Arlene brings a perspective that resonates with business owners at every stage.

The Southwest Business Summit is not about hype or shortcuts. It is about clarity, resilience, and leading with intention in business and in community.

Join Ann-Marie Flinn for:

The CHAMP Mindset: People-Centred Leadership That Turns Change into Momentum

In today’s world, change hits fast and relentlessly. Think AI disruption, talent shortages, marketing overload, and succession pressures. It’s not just challenging businesses; it’s exhausting leaders and straining teams.

When constant crisis management crowds out innovation and creativity, people feel unheard and unsafe. The result? Stalled progress, burnout, and missed opportunities.

This interactive session introduces the CHAMP mindset as a practical framework for leaders to build strong relationships, psychological safety, and trust while navigating constant change.

Designed for small business owners and leaders who juggle multiple roles - HR today, marketing tomorrow, operations always - this workshop emphasizes straightforward, practical tools that help participants have more courageous and confident conversations, more positively navigate stress and perfectionism, and turn everyday exchanges into opportunities for connection and commitment.

Participants will leave with a shared language and simple tools to immediately address priorities such as burnout, retaining top talent, making space for innovation, and planning for what’s next. By focusing on the human side of change, business leaders can move their businesses forward.

As a bonus, participants will receive a downloadable interactive workbook they can use after the Summit to continue practicing the CHAMP tools and deepening their people-centred leadership back in their own businesses.