The Conference Agenda: April 13 - 16
The conference will open Monday evening with a social hour in Brock Commons, offering attendees an opportunity to connect before the week’s programming begins. The evening will continue with a keynote address from iFLY Co-Founder Bob Pizzini —an award-winning CEO, consultant, speaker, retired U.S. Navy leader, and Bronze Star recipient—whose work centers on developing effective leadership and elevating organizational performance. Pizzini will share insights on entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and redefining leadership through innovation.
Programming will continue Tuesday morning as participants return to Brock Commons to begin a full day of sessions. The Ethics Competition will challenge students to think critically about decision-making in complex business environments. Later in the morning, Donna Norman of the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center will provide practical guidance on supporting and sustaining small businesses.
Following a lunch break, the conference will shift to professional development with Dress to Lead: Professional Dress Reimagined, encouraging students to consider how personal presentation intersects with leadership identity. An afternoon session will continue the conversation before attendees gather at The HIVE for an evening social hour. The day will conclude with a keynote address from Emily Archer, Director of Economic Development, who will highlight regional growth and the evolving role of leadership in shaping local economies.
On Wednesday, the focus will turn toward career readiness and innovation. Margaret Black of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council will speak on communication and workforce trends, followed by Bridge the Gap: Using Handshake & Forage to Lead Your Future, a session designed to equip students with tools to navigate career pathways. The highly anticipated Shark Tank Competition will showcase student entrepreneurship, as participants pitch ideas to a panel of judges.
In the afternoon, Scott Hickman will present Money Reimagined: Take Control. Get Ahead. Start Now., offering practical financial strategies for young professionals. The day will conclude with an Internship Panel, providing real-world insights from students and industry representatives.
The conference will wrap up Thursday with a final series of sessions emphasizing innovation and leadership development. The ISP Competition will highlight student research and problem-solving, while Professor Shalyn Lapke will explore the growing impact of artificial intelligence in accounting. Davie Drummond Sr. will close the speaker lineup with Leadership from Childhood, reflecting on the foundational experiences that shape effective leaders.
The week will conclude with a closing session in Brock Commons, bringing together the conference’s central themes—innovation, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership.
From competitions and panels to keynote addresses and networking opportunities, the Marlin Business Conference will offer attendees a dynamic and engaging reimagining of what it means to lead today—and into the future.
