National Small Business Week SBA Awards & Resource Expo

The Connecticut District SBA and CBIA honored the state’s small business person of the year and recognized other exceptional small business leaders, nominated by organizations from across the state for their achievements and contributions.

Lumi Hospitality co-founder and CEO Melissa Melonson, shared her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, while a panel of small business leaders discussed their pathways to success.

AGENDA

1:30 pm | Check-In & Networking

2 pm | Welcome Remarks

• Catherine Marx, District Director, Connecticut District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration
• Dilawar Syed, Deputy Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration
• Chris DiPentima, President & CEO, CBIA

2:15 pm | Pursuing the Small Business Dream

• Melissa Melonson, Founder & CEO, Lumi Hospitality

2:55 pm | Surviving & Thriving: Small Business Success Stories

• Moderator: Jerome Baier, Business Banking Regional Manager, M&T Bank
• Naeem Khalid, CEO, Sam’s Food Stores
• Ruan Marinho, Digital Strategist, Develomark
• Rakesh Sahay, COO & Co-Founder, SimpliCapital

3:40 pm | Networking Break

3:55 pm | Small Business Awards Presented by SBA

• Small Exporter of the Year: Defeo Manufacturing, Inc. (dba Xcalliber)
• Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: West Hartford Holistic Counseling
• Minority Owned Small Business of the Year: The Green Teahouse
• Manufacturer of the Year: Aquila’s Nest Vineyard
• Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Small Business of the Year: Shady Oaks Assisted Living, LLC
• Microenterprise Business of the Year: Programmatic B2B, LLC
• Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: Arrowhead Leadership Consulting, LLC
• Women’s Business Center of the Year: Women’s Business Development Council/Southwestern Women’s Business Center
• SBIC-Emerging Manager: Mizzen Capital
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Scott & Brigid Allen, Water-Flo, Inc.
• Small Business Person of the Year: Maria Miranda, Owner & Creative Director, Miranda Creative, Inc.

5 pm | Resource Expo & Reception

6 pm | Adjourn

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Cosponsorship Authorization #24-29-C. SBA’s participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products, or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.