2025
SUMMIT
Join us April 24 in downtown Bend, from 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm, for learning, inspiration and meaningful connections at the 8th Annual ET Summit!
Keynote
Your day will begin at the Tower Theatre with our inspiring keynote, Curt Steinhorst. Curt has presented across the globe for companies like Honda, Cisco and Nike, is the author of “Can I have Your Attention,” and has been featured in Forbes magazine, among other publications.
Drawing on his experience leading high-performing teams that operate at hyperspeed, he shares strategies to help others achieve the same remarkable performance without burning out.
Breakout Sessions & After Party
Next, you’ll choose from a variety of different breakout sessions in downtown Bend locations, geared to amplify your knowledge and individual impact. The day ends with an After Party at JDub downtown with food, beverages, fantastic raffle prizes and friends old and new.
12:30 pm
Check-in and Social Time
1:15 pm
Conference Begins
1:30 pm
Keynote with Curt Steinhorst
2:45 pm
Announcements and Raffle
3:00 pm
Travel to Breakout Sessions
3:30 pm
Breakout Sessions Begin
4:45 pm
After Party Begins
6:30 pm
End of Conference
Choose your preference from one of seven sessions.
Justin Coats, Founder, Neesh.AIDiscover how leading businesses leverage AI for marketing, sales, customer service, and product development while maintaining a competitive edge. Get insights into AI adoption strategies, risk mitigation, and real-world success stories from companies that have doubled their productivity with AI powered solutions.
• Think beyond automation—unlock AI’s full potential.
• Balance AI efficiency with human expertise.
• Future-proof your business with actionable strategies.
Lisa Flexner, Founder and Principal, FlexHealth ConsultingBurnout isn’t just an individual struggle—it’s a challenge that impacts entire teams and organizations. In this dynamic session, we’ll break down what burnout is, how to recognize the early warning signs, and practical steps you can take to protect yourself. We’ll also explore how leaders can create environments that reduce burnout risk and empower their teams to thrive. Whether you’re navigating stress yourself or looking to support others, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to move from overwhelm to empowerment.
• Discuss the costs of burnout to the individual and the organization.
• Be able to recognize the signs of engagement vs. burnout.
• Identify two actions you can take to decrease or prevent symptoms of burnout.
• Identify one organizational action that would improve the well-being of their current team.
In this dynamic and interactive session designed by the City of Bend, we will engage in lively discussion of the key challenges and opportunities facing our community today. City panelists will take us through an overview of Council goals for 2025–27, followed by focused conversation on economic development, growth, housing and the environment.
• Have a better understanding of what shapes and influences how Council Goals are created.
• Be more knowledgeable of what areas resources are being allocated to in the next biennium and how City Staff are being directed to meet community needs.
• Learn more about City tools and processes including Tax Increment Financing programs, the Community Climate Action Plan, the City’s Growth Plan and Economic Development Strategy.
• Hear about opportunities to get more involved with City committees and advisory bodies.
Brett Larson, Leadership Development Program Facilitator and Leadership CoachEvery person has unique life experiences that have created our personal system of meaning, thoughts and emotions. This can create an unchecked process where when something happens, we make assumptions based on our history and react often emotionally. Often these assumptions are wrong, and our reactions can harm relationships and even create unnecessary suffering. The good news is that we all also have an internal witness that is capable of observing our thoughts and emotions. Our witness enables us to rise above assumptions and better manage our responses.
In this workshop we will discuss this very human phenomenon and discuss how we can pause our reactions and respond more thoughtfully and effectively. This enables deeper an ability to communicate with respectful and curious candor while building more trusting relationships.
• Growing self-awareness of our natural and limiting assumptions and reactions.
• Developing an understanding of how to choose more mindful responses.
• Learning tools and techniques for practicing and growing these skills.
Connor McCullough, Financial AdvisorTired of feeling like your money controls you instead of the other way around? In this engaging and practical seminar, we’re breaking down the must-know strategies for budgeting like a pro, slashing your tax bill, and protecting your hard-earned wealth. You’ll leave with three game-changing action items that will help you keep more, grow more, and stress less about your financial future. Don’t miss this chance to take control and build lasting financial confidence!
• Learn to budget like a pro
• Tips on slashing your tax bill
• Insight into protecting your hard-earned wealth
Jay Garcia, Certified Professional CoachIn today’s performance-driven world, we are constantly encouraged to focus on doing—achieving more and striving for success. However, this relentless pursuit often leads to disconnection and burnout. This workshop introduces a transformative approach that shifts the focus from external achievements to internal alignment. By exploring a shift in mindset, participants will learn to lead with clarity, authenticity, and purpose—allowing actions to naturally flow from a grounded sense of self, fostering sustainable success and fulfillment.
• Recognize the limitations of the Do-Have-Be mindset and how it impacts fulfillment and self-worth.
• Understand the transformative power of shifting focus from external achievements to internal alignment.
• Develop practical strategies to stay connected to core values and lead with intention.
Today’s workplace can be challenging to navigate, but this session will equip you with tips and insights straight from our HR expert’s mouths. From fair pay, and office politics to sticky situations between coworkers, our experts will address a variety of attendee questions that you can submit anonymously at the start of the session. Leave with a new perspective on your workplace and the confidence to address even the toughest situations in a professional manner.
• Feel more confident to address workplace challenges with professionalism.
• Get answers to your burning HR questions.
• Learn the top things that any professional should know about employment law:
• Learn and get comfortable with protected classes and activities – and how to react when you see violations.
• The variety of ways to document your coaching and corrective efforts (for rising manager/leaders).
If the cost to attend poses a barrier to your participation, we do have a limited number of complimentary admissions.
Need a little help talking to your employer about the benefits of attending? We’ve got you covered!
Our sponsors make this event possible with their investment in the continued learning and connection of our emerging workforce. Thank you!
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