Georgia Chamber Hosts Second Annual Future of Small Business Summit

Georgia Chamber Hosts Second Annual Future of Small Business Summit 

MACON – Today, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted the second annual Future of Small Business Summit, designed to equip small businesses with the tools they need for their future success. More than 100 people attended the 2025 Future of Small Business Summit, which took place at Fall Line Station in Macon. Fiserv and Grow with Google served as presenting sponsors of the 2025 Future of Small Business Summit.  

Holly Wade, Executive Director, National Federation of Independent Business Research Center and Dan Parzych, Senior Vice President of Analytics, Product & Innovation, Fiserv were the 2025 Future of Small Business Summit featured speakers. A full list of speakers, panelists, and moderators is below. A recording of the 2025 Future of Small Business Summit will be available on the Georgia Chamber’s YouTube channel shortly.  

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 Georgia Small Business Profile, Georgia is home to 1.3 million small businesses—representing 99.7% of all Georgia businesses. These businesses employ 1.7 million Georgians, accounting for 43.1% of the state's total workforce.   

Because of the critical role small businesses play in Georgia’s sustained, record-breaking economic success, the Georgia Chamber has multiple initiatives to support small businesses. The Small Business Policy Council ensures small businesses’ voices are represented in the Chamber’s strategic decision-making and helps organize the annual Future of Small Business Summit.   

Jennifer Abshire, Founder and CEO of Abshire Public Relations and Chair of the Georgia Chamber Small Business Policy Council said:   

“Georgia’s small business owners--like me--are resilient problem solvers. And to truly thrive, we need access to a specific set of resources. As Chair of the Small Business Policy Council, I work to ensure the Georgia Chamber remains laser-focused on providing small business owners with the tools, support, and connections we need. It is my hope that the 2025 Future of Small Business Summit is another vital resource in the Georgia Chamber’s statewide toolbelt of resources for the small business community.”  

Chris Clark, President & CEO of the Georgia Chamber said:  

“When small businesses prosper, communities prosper. That’s why the Georgia Chamber is deeply committed to equipping Georgia’s small businesses with everything they need to succeed. Hosting the Future of Small Business Summit gives us a meaningful opportunity to connect small business owners to vital resources while celebrating the critical role they play in Georgia’s sustained, record-breaking economic success." 

Dan Parzych, Senior Vice President of Analytics, Product & Innovation, Fiserv said:  
 
“Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, generating 44% of gross domestic product, nearly half of overall employment, and serving as valued pillars of communities. We are proud to sponsor this year’s Future of Small Business summit, working alongside the Georgia Chamber to advance our shared mission of lifting up small businesses so local communities can thrive.” 

 
 
The full list of speakers, panelists, and moderators is as follows: 

Welcome Remarks  

Jennifer Abshire, Chief Executive Officer, Abshire Public Relations and Small Business Policy Council Chair, Georgia Chamber  

Georgia|2050  

Morgan Law, Chief Experience Officer, Georgia Chamber  

National Trends for Small Businesses  

Holly Wade, Executive Director, National Federation of Independent Business Research Center  

State Trends for Small Businesses  

Dan Parzych, Senior Vice President of Analytics, Product & Innovation, Fiserv   

Preparing to Build Partnerships with Corporations  

Stacey Key, Chief Executive Officer, Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council   

Ryan Waldrep, Regional Economic Development Manager, Georgia Power   

Moderator: Tommie Beth Willis, South Georgia Regional Director, Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs  

Small Business Resources  

Kaitlyn Hill, Public Policy Manager, Amazon  

Monica Delores Hooks, Chief Experience Officer, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs   

Anastasia Kudrez, Lead Educator, Grow with Google   

Moderator: Allan Adams, State Director, Small Business Development Center   

Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Small Businesses    

Jenny Savelle, Owner, Bishop Clean Care   

Elizabeth Schorr, Owner, Elizabeth Schorr & Co.   

Todd Womble, Chief Executive Officer, Savannah Logistics Group    

Moderator: Susan Kraut, Chief Executive Officer, Effingham County Chamber of Commerce  

  

Lessons from Georgia’s Small Business Leaders  

Samuel L. Gude III, Chief Executive Officer, Gude Management Group   

Christy Kovac, President & Chief Executive Officer, Sheridan Construction   

Jimmy Puckett, Chief Executive Officer, SPINEN   

Moderator: Jessica Walden, President & Chief Executive Officer, Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce  

Closing Remarks  

Tiffany Holmes, Deputy Director, Georgia Chamber Foundation  

Founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1915, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business advocacy organization in Georgia, working to protect free enterprise and secure our long-term economic prosperity. The Georgia Chamber represents tens of thousands of members in every corner of the state, with offices in Atlanta, Brunswick, and Tifton. In 2025 the Georgia Chamber launched GEORGIA|2050, a strategic plan to ensure Georgia remains a beacon of economic opportunity for the next 25 years. For more information visit gachamber.com. 

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