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PRESENTS:
2023 EMERGE Set for Tuesday, March 7th at Central Bank Center
For the tenth consecutive year, Commerce Lexington’s EMERGE Conference will bring together the next generation of Central Kentucky leaders for a full day of networking, engaging keynote speakers, informative breakout sessions, and discovering ways to better connect to and impact the community.  An outgrowth of one of Commerce Lexington’s past Leadership Visits, the 2023 Commerce Lexington EMERGE Conference presented by Forcht Bank will take place on Tuesday, March 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Central Bank Center in the heart of downtown Lexington. View conference details below.
Cost to Attend:
The cost to attend this full day conference is $198 per person for Commerce Lexington members, $225 for non-members and $75 for students. A combo package is available for those wanting to purchase an EMERGE Conference registration and an Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass Annual Pass for $275.00.

Exhibit space is available at the conference for $350. This space will be housed in the foyer outside of the main ballroom throughout the day. The space comes with one complimentary conference attendee and may be split between two company representatives so that one person can occupy the exhibit area at all times.
REGISTER HERE
Keynotes:
The Elephant in the Room
OPENING KEYNOTE SPONSORED BY:
Guide Realty
Morning Keynotes: Cherena Fox and Keionna Baker (left) of The Elephant In The Room

Our morning keynote speakers will be Cherena Fox and Keionna Baker of The Elephant In The Room, an interactive diversity and inclusion company focused on organizational transformations and development through creating comfortable spaces to have uncomfortable conversations.  During their workshop entitled “Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself,” Baker and Fox will focus on Implicit Bias and Cultural Awareness and Inclusion.  They’ll take a deep dive with the audience members into everyday interactions and ways of thinking, proactively addressing what microaggressions are and how to examine personal biases before they become damaging to your brand's image and internal teams. The Elephant in the Room will equip audience members with the tools needed to create a strong inclusive work culture, and create open communication between teams and management.

The Elephant in the Room is an interactive diversity and inclusion company focused on organizational transformations and development through creating comfortable spaces to have uncomfortable conversations.
​Collectively, Keionna and Cherena have years of experience cultivating and working in diverse workspaces. With experience working in education, on diverse teams and, with an array of students, from Kentucky to California, Keionna and Cherena have gained the skills, experience, and knowledge to create highly effective and interactive workshops. Both have taught and consulted with the development of after-school programs in underprivileged communities with the intention of bridging cultural and racial gaps.

David Horning
LUNCHEON KEYNOTE SPONSORED BY:
UK Online
Luncheon Keynote: David Horning of Water Cooler Comedy

​Our luncheon keynote is David Horning of Water Cooler Comedy, providing a session titled “Stand Up & Lead: How 'Thinking Like A Comedian' Creates Standout Cultures.”  Employers and employees continue to struggle to engage teams and drive productivity in a post-COVID hybrid, work-from-anywhere world.  Many companies are adding Chief Wellness Officers or Chief Happiness Officers in an effort to bring collaboration, connection, and joy back to the workforce.  Humor-led employee engagement programming has been proven to break down silos, build psychological safety, improve retention, provide a recruiting differentiator, boost bottom lines, and more!  Yet, when most people hear "think like a comedian" in a professional setting, a wave of panic sets in.  In this customized program, participants won’t be transformed into stand-up comedians or learn how to tell jokes, but rather experience an introduction to innovative leadership based on the principles of humor that have turned strategic communications firm Peppercomm and others into perennial top workplaces.  From IT, to healthcare, to manufacturing and beyond, companies who speak the universal language of humor and embrace the art of not taking themselves too seriously have stumbled on an unexpected punchline: they have transitioned from a transactional leadership model to a human one where people WANT to work.  You don’t even have to be funny to do it! 
REGISTER HERE

2023 Breakouts include:
COMMUNITY EDUCATION BREAKOUT TOPICS:
• The Greatest Untold Story of American Whiskey: The African American Contribution
• The Land that Sustains Us: Getting Young Leaders Engaged with Agriculture
• Wherefore Art, Though? Public Art and its Impact on our Community
• Lex Stick Together: Case Study with Julietta Market 
• Violence in Lexington - A PIER Model
• Central Kentucky by the Numbers: A Strategy to Propel the Region Forward
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TOPICS:
​• Don't be a Michael Scott, Excel in Your Career and on Your Team 
• Seven Traits of Leadership
• Leadership and Team Accountability - Think Big and Think Small
• How to Create Your Best Life
• Elevate Your Presentation to the Next Level
• Evolving Your Career 
• Optimizing Your Health in 2023

PLATINUM SPONSORS:
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OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER SPONSOR:
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LUNCHEON KEYNOTE SPEAKER SPONSOR:
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CHARGING STATION SPONSOR:
Kinetic by Windstream logo
NAME BADGE SPONSOR:
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GOLD SPONSORS:
Chiropractic Care
Toyota logo
SILVER SPONSORS:
KFB logo - Kristin Clark
Kristin Clark, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance
Lexington Legends logo
Lexmark logo
Simply Clean logo
AFTER PARTY SPONSOR:
Dinsmore logo
MUGSHOT SPONSOR:
Mahan Mutimedia
REGISTER HERE
Copyright © 2023 Commerce Lexington Inc., all rights reserved.
COMMERCE LEXINGTON® and the Commerce Lexington logo are registered trademarks of Commerce Lexington.
330 East Main Street, Suite 100, Lexington, Kentucky, 40507
Phone: (859) 254-4447  |  Fax: (859) 233-3304
  • About
    • Message from the Board Chair
    • President's Message
    • Top Investors
    • Board of Directors
    • Racial Equity Pledge
    • Staff Directory
    • Find Our Offices | Parking
    • NEWS
  • Do Business
    • Business Directory
    • Economic Development
    • Minority Business Development >
      • Minority Business Directory
      • Procurement Opportunities
    • Business & Education Network
    • Resources >
      • Start a Business
      • Relocate a Business
      • Funding & Financing
      • Member Benefits
      • Member Discounts
      • HealthSolutions >
        • Broker Toolkit
      • Publications
  • Live & Work
    • Relocation Guide
    • Job Openings
    • Getting Around
    • Demographics
    • Cost of Living
    • Lexington History
    • Lexington Rankings
    • Education >
      • Public Education
      • Private Education
    • Health Care
  • Advocacy
    • About Public Policy
    • Your Government >
      • Local
      • State
      • Federal
    • Policy Statements & Key Issues
  • Events
    • Commerce Lexington Events Calendar
    • Community Calendar
    • Submit an Event
    • An Evening With Commerce Lexington
    • EMERGE 2023
    • Leadership Visit >
      • Grand Rapids 2023
      • Tampa-St. Petersburg 2022
      • Impact
      • Past Trips >
        • Austin 2021
        • Raleigh 2019
    • Regional Summit
    • Washington Fly-In
    • Salute to Small Business >
      • Nominate a Business
      • Award Categories
      • Small Business Awards Application
      • Past Award Winners
  • Connect
    • Become a Member (JOIN)
    • Member News
    • Peer Programming >
      • Business Owners Advisory Boards (BOAB)
      • Peer Groups
    • Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass
    • Leadership Development >
      • Leadership Lexington >
        • Application
        • Class Roster
        • Class Projects
        • Steering Committee
        • Alumni
      • Leadership Central Kentucky >
        • Class Roster
        • Board of Directors
        • LCK Alumni
    • Ambassador Program
    • Winner's Circle >
      • Upcoming WC Events
      • Online Mall