GSBA Economic Development Conference

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Name: GSBA Economic Development Conference
Date: May 22, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM PDT
Website: https://members.thegsba.org/eventcalendar/Details/gsba-economic-development-conference-2025-1277960?sourceTypeId=Website
Event Description:
The GSBA Economic Development Conference (EDC) will be focusing on what the 2026 FIFA World Cup will mean for the small business community, deliver an economic forecast, and showcase a marketing session by Anthony Shop of Social Driver. His content is applicable to anyone in business, and he is an outstanding social strategist. Breakfast and lunch provided. Lots of great networking and a pitch competition in the afternoon.

PROGRAM 
8:30 – 9:00am: Check in & Breakfast
Welcome: Council Member Joy Hollingsworth
                 Attorney General Nick Brown 
                                     
Morning Sessions: FIFA World Cup Team
  • Leo Flor, Chief Legacy Officer for Seattle’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
  • Hedda McLendon, SVP Legacy Operations (LOC)
             World Cup Economic Forecast 2025-26
  • Michael Woody, Senior Vice President/Chief Strategy Officer, Visit Seattle 
               Signing of the Washington Minority Business Coalition
  • Ilona Lohrey, GSBA President & CEO
Networking Break
 
Keynote Session: Smart Marketing | Anthony Shop, CEO Social Driver 
 
12:30pm- 1:30pm: Lunch provided by Madres Kitchen; Networking
 
1:30pm: Networking and share your business – Speed Session
1:45pm: LGBTQ+ Small Business Pitch Competition

We want people, and especially small business owners, to understand the magnitude of and be prepared for what the World Cup represents. GSBA will continue to offer resources throughout this year and into 2026, all designed to support the small business community.
 
Location:
Amazon Arizona Building, Seattle 
Fees/Admission:
Use code: FIFAFORWARD to waive the $35 cost
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