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APRIL 2, 2026
Grow Together. Market Smarter. Thrive Locally.
Join the Cultivate Marketing Summit, a marketing experience hosted by the Palisade Chamber of Commerce, designed to bring businesses together to share tools, strategies, and insights that help organizations grow and thrive.
Through expert panels, interactive breakout sessions, and intentional networking, this summit is built for businesses ready to strengthen their marketing, expand their reach, and grow alongside their community.
Full Conference Agenda
8:00 am - 9:00 am Registration, Breakfast & Networking
Registration will take place at Wine Country Inn. Upon arrival, please check in at the registration table before the program begins. Take this time to connect with fellow attendees, enjoy conversation, and start the morning with a breakfast burrito provided by the Palisade Chamber of Commerce and Wine Country Inn. It’s a great opportunity to meet other business owners, professionals, and community members before the summit officially kicks off.
9:00 am – 9:30 AM Opening Remarks & Summit Kickoff
We’ll begin the day with opening remarks and a brief kickoff to set the tone for the summit. This session will provide an overview of the day’s schedule, key takeaways you can expect to gain, and insights into today’s evolving media and marketing landscape. Attendees will also participate in a short guided networking activity designed to help you connect with fellow professionals and start building meaningful relationships right from the start.
9:30 am - 10:15 am Opening Panel: Is Your Business Advertising in the Right Places?
Join us for a panel discussion moderated by Elisa Love, featuring marketing professionals from print, radio, and television. This conversation will explore how small businesses can effectively use traditional media to expand their reach and better connect with their communities. Panelists will share insights on choosing the right platforms, maximizing visibility, and ensuring your marketing efforts are reaching the audiences that matter most. Panelists include Tom Sheldon with MBC Grand Broadcasting, Bobby L’Heureux with Spoke & Blossom/Jaunt Media, Bill Dallman with KREX, and Jennifer Campos with GJ Media.
10:20 am - 11:05 am Breakout Session #1
Breakout Session Block 1
Attendees will choose from one of three interactive sessions designed to help strengthen their brand, messaging, and visibility. Each session offers practical insights and hands-on strategies that can be applied immediately in your business or organization.
From Idea to Identity: A Hands-On Branding & Content Workshop
Your brand is more than a logo it’s how people recognize and remember you. This workshop covers branding fundamentals and demonstrates how to create cohesive content using free and low-cost tools such as Canva and Affinity. Learn how to align your visuals, messaging, and voice to support growth without the expense of agency-level services. Workshop Presented and Created by: Angelina DeCrow the Stategic Marketing Manager at Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, Cesar Camacho the Membership and Marketing Coordinator at the Palisade Chamber of Commerce & Kylynn Tanner the Community Engagement Coordinator at the Palisade Chamber of Commerce.
From Event to Experience: How Smart Communities Attract Visitors and Grow Local Business
Communities do not become destinations by accident. They cultivate them. From agritourism experiences to signature events, successful destinations intentionally design the experiences that attract visitors, support local businesses, and strengthen community identity. In this session, learn how communities can evaluate existing events, reimagine underperforming ones, retire those that no longer serve their purpose, and revive new experiences that align with today’s visitor expectations.Participants will explore how destination marketing, agritourism, and community storytelling work together to create sustainable visitor economies that benefit restaurants, retailers, farms, wineries, and service businesses. Workshop Presented and Created by: Faith Overall, Destination Stewardship Manager at the Colorado Tourism Office and Jessica Burford, President & CEO of the Palisade Chamber of Commerce
The Power of a Well-Told Story
Discover how the stories you tell shape the way people understand your business. In this session, attendees will learn how external storytelling influences customers, partners, and media attention, while internal narratives impact mindset and results. Walk away with practical tools to craft clearer messages, communicate with greater influence, and uncover story angles that can help your business gain visibility and earned media. Workshop Presented and Created by: Kelly Clingman, Public Information Officer at Grand Junction Police Department.
11:10 am - 11:55 am Breakout Session #2
Breakout Session #2
During the second breakout session, attendees will again have the opportunity to choose from one of three sessions focused on strategy, digital growth, and community engagement. Each session is designed to provide practical insights and tools that participants can apply directly to their business or organization.
Personal Branding for Professionals & Entrepreneurs
Personal branding isn’t about self-promotion; it’s about clarity, consistency, and connection. This interactive session guides professionals and entrepreneurs through the fundamentals of building an authentic personal brand that reflects who you are and what you offer. You’ll learn how to show up confidently online and in your community, define your unique voice, and clearly communicate your value even if marketing doesn’t come naturally. Workshop Presented and Created by: Elisa Love, Founder of Hourglass Strategy.
Grow Smarter on Social: Strategy, Analytics & Content Planning
Designed for businesses and creators ready to level up their social media, this workshop covers how to build a thoughtful content strategy, interpret analytics, and create posts that drive engagement and growth. Participants will learn how to plan and organize content using Meta Business Suite calendars while gaining insight into measuring reach, performance, and return on effort. Workshop Presented and Created by: Giselle Genova, Marketing Professional
Website Matters: From First Click to Conversion
Your website is often the first place customers interact with your business. This session explores why your website is one of your most important digital assets and how modern tools, including AI integrations, can improve user experience, functionality, and overall performance to help convert visitors into customers. Workshop Presented and Created by: Melinda McCaw, Founder of Melinda McCaw Media.
11:55 am - 1:25 pm Lunch
Attendees will be released for lunch in downtown Palisade, giving you the opportunity to explore local restaurants while continuing conversations with fellow participants. This “dine-around” style lunch encourages networking in smaller groups and supporting local businesses.
When registering, guests will be asked to select one of six dining locations within close proximity to Wine Country Inn: El Rey, Palisade Pizza & Pourhouse, Clark & Co Distilling, Peach Street Distillers, Palisade Brewing Company, and Fidel’s Cocina & Bar. The Chamber is coordinating with participating restaurants to offer special $10 lunch options exclusively for summit attendees.
Lunch is not included with registration, but these featured deals provide an affordable way to enjoy Palisade’s local dining scene while connecting with other professionals during the Peer Network Lunch experience.
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm Breakout Session #3
Final Breakout Sessions
The final session block of the day gives attendees the opportunity to dive deeper into specialized marketing strategies. Participants will select one of three sessions focused on nonprofit fundraising, digital visibility, or video storytelling each designed to provide practical tools that can be implemented right away.
Fundraising That Lasts: Event Marketing for Nonprofits
This session focuses on creating sustainable fundraising strategies that go beyond one-time campaigns. Attendees will learn how to build stronger donor relationships, create events that inspire continued support, and develop long-term approaches that strengthen financial health and mission impact. Workshop Presented and Created by: Keri Cotterman, Co-owner & CEO of TwoBu
Google Is Your #1 Customer
Your online visibility often begins with a Google search. This session provides a practical look at optimizing your Google Business Profile, understanding SEO basics, and making small updates that can significantly improve visibility, website traffic, and customer trust. Attendees will also gain insight into how paid Google advertising can support growth and reach. Workshop Presented and Created by: Jason VanHouten, Multimedia Sales Manager at KKCO & KJCT Grand Junction/ Gray Digital Media.
Video Storytelling That Builds Trust & Engagement
Video is one of the most powerful tools in modern marketing but only when it tells a compelling story. In this session, attendees will learn how to create authentic video content that captures attention, builds trust, and encourages action. The workshop will cover simple storytelling frameworks, practical filming tips for any budget, and effective ways to use video across social media, websites, and marketing campaigns. Workshop Presented and Created by: Logan McLennan, Photography Director at 14K Media.
2:20 pm - 3:30 pm Keynote Speaker: Darrin Barney
At the conclusion of the Cultivate Marketing Summit, attendees will hear an inspiring keynote from Darrin Barney, President and CEO of Elite Worldwide and co-founder of Barney Brothers Off Road & Repair. His keynote will focus on the power of cultivating relationships and why they are essential when marketing your business, your brand, and yourself. Darrin will connect the key themes explored throughout the day, leaving attendees with renewed confidence, clarity, and a reminder that meaningful growth in both marketing and life always begins with people.
About the Speaker
Darrin Barney is a seasoned entrepreneur, business coach, and community leader with a passion for helping small business owners, managers, and professionals grow both their businesses and themselves. Through his work at Elite Worldwide, he partners with leaders navigating limited time, limited resources, and big responsibilities, helping them build clarity, confidence, and strong teams while creating sustainable and fulfilling businesses. His approach blends practical business strategy with personal development and is grounded in the belief that strong relationships are the foundation of long-term success.
Before leading Elite Worldwide, Darrin co-founded Barney Brothers Off Road & Repair in Grand Junction, Colorado. What began as a small family-run shop grew into a successful full-service operation, giving him firsthand experience with the realities small business owners face every day, including wearing multiple hats, balancing priorities, and building trust with customers and employees. That journey from hands-on operator to business leader continues to shape his relatable and real-world perspective.
Darrin holds the Accredited Master Automotive Manager (AMAM) designation and serves on the education committee for ASA-Colorado, where he supports leadership development and training within the industry. As a speaker and coach, he is known for his authentic style, practical insights, and ability to connect deeply with audiences through storytelling, encouragement, and clear, actionable takeaways.
Registration
Ready to grow your marketing strategy alongside other local businesses and community leaders?
Registration for the Cultivate Marketing Summit includes access to a full morning of expert-led panels, interactive breakout sessions, and meaningful networking opportunities designed to help your business thrive. Attendees will gain practical marketing tools, fresh insights, and valuable connections they can take back to their organization right away.
The registration fee is $80 per person and includes morning breakfast wraps and refreshments. Lunch is not included; following the closing keynote, attendees are encouraged to explore one of Palisade’s local lunch spots or stay for the optional nonprofit-focused fundraising and marketing session.