Indigenous Business Con 2025

You can find the tentative IBC 2025 Schedule below. Remember, speakers and topics are subject to change as the conference dates approach.

• Monday, October 13, 2025

• Morning Programming: Financial Tools and Economic Foundations

  • Tribal CDFIs and Indigenous capital strategies
    
  • State-tribal contracting, housing, and infrastructure development

  Opening Ceremony

  • Welcome and Opening Prayer by Chairman Brooks Boyd (Forest County Potawatomi)
    
  • Remarks from IBC Co-Founders: Rob Pero, Collin Price, Zoar Fulwilder
    
  • Ribbon Cutting: Marketplace and Native Artisan Market
    
  • Emcees: Chance Rush and Rudy Indigenous

  General Sessions

  • The Great Lakes Indigenous Economy
    
  • Native Workforce and Contracting Futures
    
  • Entrepreneurial Mindset (Rob Pero)
    
  • Tribal Leader Roundtable on Sovereign Economic Models

  Evening Reception

  • Cultural music, artisan showcase, culinary experiences
    
  • Hone Bridge Lighting Ceremony in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
• Tuesday, October 14, 2025

• Morning Kickoff

  • Reflections and insights from Rob Pero, Fern Orie, and Collin Price

  Breakout Sessions

  Round 1

  • Infrastructure, Energy and Housing
    
  • Contracting Opportunities and Procurement
    
  • Cannabis, Hemp and Wellness Economies

  Round 2

  • Real Estate and New Market Tax Credits
    
  • Workforce Development and Skilled Trades
    
  • Financing Growth with CDFIs, Banks and Capital Access Strategies

  Round 3

  • AI, Technology and Innovation
    • Applying AI to Indigenous business, governance, workforce capacity, and data sovereignty
      
  • Media, Storytelling and Advocacy
    
  • Tribal Investment and Public-Private Partnerships in the Great Lakes

  Round 4

  • Tribal Enterprise-Driven Infrastructure and Clean Energy
    
  • Empowering Indigenous Women in Business
    
  • Community Investment and Legislative Advocacy

  Featured Standalone Breakout Session

  Foreign Trade Zones and Tax Advantage Strategies in Indian Country

  This session will explore:

  • Tax incentives for warehousing, manufacturing, import/export, energy, and logistics
    
  • Benefits of doing business on trust land and within tribal jurisdictions
    
  • Strategies for investment attraction, site development, and joint ventures
    
  • Leveraging tribal policy and sovereign economic zones to build capacity

  Closing General Session

  “Building Bridges 201”
  Moderator: Samantha Skenandore
  Panelists: Tribal enterprise executives, business owners, and tribal government officials
  Focus: Cross-sector collaboration and continuity among tribal members, enterprises, and governments

  Gala and Awards Ceremony

  Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  Honorees:

  • Business of the Year
    
  • Emerging Leader
    
  • Creative of the Year
    
  • Outstanding Tribal Enterprise
    

  Featuring cultural performances, networking, and Native Artisan Market access. Hosted by Chance Rush and Rudy Indigenous.