7:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | The Renaissance Nashville Hotel
The Nashpreneurs Conference brings together small business leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives for a half-day of interactive learning. This year’s event will focus on practical applications and emerging tools, expert-led panel discussions, and collaborative sessions designed to demystify AI and unlock its potential for growth, innovation, and efficiency.
The 2025 Nashpreneur of the Year will be unveiled at the end of the program.
This award is reserved for an individual in the Nashville community who exemplifies what it means to be a “Nashpreneur”—creative, resilient, risk-taking, and a leader who paves the way for other entrepreneurs and small businesses to succeed.
Agenda
Keynote Address
The AI-Powered Future of Work
Dan Chuparkoff, CEO of Reinvention Labs
With over 25 years of hands-on experience transforming teams across a wide range of organizations, Dan Chuparkoff has held leadership roles at Google, McKinsey, Atlassian, and numerous startups and enterprises.
Today, Dan helps teams adapt to rapid changes in the global landscape so they can lead and thrive in their industries. He specializes in advising organizations on AI adoption, innovation strategy, change management, and collaboration. His clients include several Fortune 500 companies as well as some of the most promising newcomers in the startup ecosystem.
Session #1
Introducing AI: A Faster Framework for Implementing AI in Your Company
Bob Higgins, Principal & Founder at Thrivence
Gain clear, practical strategies for integrating AI at a pace that aligns with your team's needs and goals. In this opening session, Bob Higgins, a recognized leader in AI-driven innovation, will introduce a proven framework grounded in real-world tools and tactics. This session lays the foundation for the rest of the conference and will serve as a valuable resource well beyond the event.
Session #2
Trial Tested: AI Wins, Misses, & Insights
Moderator: Rod McDaniel, CEO of S3 Recycling Solutions Panelists: Quawn Clark, Co-Founder of Pivot Tech Solutions & Hoodgeek | Bill McCleskey, Founder & CEO of Mitech Partners | Jayson Rivas, Owner of JHR Photography | Jennifer Renshaw, Founder & CEO of Brand Mark Digital
Go beyond the hype in this candid conversation with small business owners who have put AI to the test. From smart wins to tough lessons, you’ll hear what truly works and what doesn’t when it comes to integrating AI into daily operations. This session also addresses common myths and misconceptions, offering clear, practical insights to help you approach AI with greater confidence and clarity.
Session #3
From Insight to Impact
Gary McClure, Senior Consultant at Thrivence
Discover how AI can deliver real, measurable results for your small business. This session outlines 10 practical ways AI helps entrepreneurs save time, increase productivity, and make smarter decisions — from task automation to uncovering market opportunities through data. Whether you're just beginning or looking to refine your current approach, you'll leave with clear, actionable steps to turn AI curiosity into real business impact.
Tickets & Pricing
$55 – Early Bird Chamber Member (Price Ends June 16th)