2023: Trailblazers, Dare to Dream

OCTOBER 4TH & 5TH

About

ERIE HOMECOMING 2023

Be part of an extraordinary event that celebrates the spirit of innovation and inspires you to envision a brighter future – Erie Homecoming 2023: Trailblazers: Dare to Dream. We invite you to join us in connecting with local leaders and community advocates who are forging new paths and transforming our hometown into a thriving hub of creativity and progress.

Erie Homecoming is the region's largest event about all things Erie including the regional economy, investment opportunities, and projects transforming the community. Over 350 people attended Erie Homecoming last year for a comprehensive overview on leveraging' Erie's assets for business success. Throughout the two-day event, over 50 organizations educated and informed the audience about resources available to regional businesses. We also welcomed two of Pennsylvania's most prominent women leaders -- Neeli Bendapudi, president of Penn State University, and Cynthia Hundorfean, president and chief executive officer of Allegheny Health Network. Check out some of the other highlights in the video below.

Prepare yourself for a captivating journey as we bring together visionaries and change-makers for a jam-packed conference experience. Engage in thought-provoking sessions, participate in collaborative conversations, and immerse yourself in interactive experiences that will leave you inspired and motivated to make a difference.

Discover the incredible work that passionate Erieites are undertaking to shape our community into a vibrant tapestry of possibilities. Hear their stories, gain insights from their experiences, and learn how their relentless pursuit of dreams is driving positive change in our beloved hometown. This event is not just about listening, but also about experiencing the transformation firsthand.

Whether you're reconnecting with Erie after a decade or stepping into the shoes of a tourist in your own backyard, this conference offers a golden opportunity to witness the power of collective action. Immerse yourself in the energy of our community through unique and engaging presentations, guided tours that unveil the hidden gems of our city, and valuable networking opportunities that will connect you with like-minded individuals who share your passion for progress.

We invite you to join us on this exhilarating journey of discovery, inspiration, and connection. Dare to dream, and be a part of the movement that is shaping the future of Erie. Together, we can forge new trails on the next frontier and make our aspirations a reality.

Your ticket will enable you to:

See and hear first-hand from community advocates and business owners leading the way

Learn how you can participate and contribute to the unprecedented market momentum occurring in the region

Connect with former colleagues and friends via some of our unique virtual networking opportunities

Learn inspiring new ways you can catalyze change from some of the nation's foremost thought leaders on community revitalization

Become an ambassador for the community you love

Please join us October 4th and 5th for this two-day event to learn how you can invest in your hometown.

Who should attend?

Former Erie residents looking to reinvest in their hometown, and realize a triple bottom line return — a return on profit, people and place

Developers and investors from across the globe

Anyone looking for unique, high-potential investment opportunities

What you'll learn

Why the market and economic conditions make Erie an ideal investment opportunity

Details about current development projects and what’s on the horizon

How local resources can be leveraged for business success

Why invest in Erie?

Erie is in the midst of an unprecedented era of growth and investment — one that includes more than $900 million in capital investment from the private, philanthropic, and public sectors. Erie is also home to more than 23,000 university students, commercial and residential property ready for redevelopment, and 470 acres of bayfront property — 176 acres of which is prime for development.

OUR SPEAKERS

We're honored that the following individuals will join us for Erie Homecoming 2023: Trailblazers, Dare to Dream to share their perspectives, lead thought-provoking conversations, and inspire collaboration amongst attendees.

SPEAKER

Kim Thomas
Executive Director, Infinite Erie

More speaker announcements coming soon

EVENT SCHEDULE

Schedule is subject to change. Please check back for updates.

Wednesday, Oct 4

LOCATION: VNET

4pm: Erie Homecoming Kickoff Celebration & Reception

Live music by Claire Stuczynski

“Taste of Erie” – local wines, beers, spirits and locally made treats!

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Community Tours Check-in

8:30 AM – 11:30 AM | YEP Mini Conference

Erie is the place for emerging leaders to make their mark and Young Erie Professionals is ready to help make it happen! Join professionals under 40 in a morning of workshops and training to level up. Representative Ryan Bizzarro will kick off the morning with a fireside chat on politics and paving the way as a young professional in Erie.

9:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Community Tours

Hop on the bus and tour the latest redevelopment projects happening in Erie including a 100+ year old former industrial site leading the way in revitalizing Erie's 12th street corridor.

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | General Admission Check-In

Come early, grab lunch, and network with fellow conference attendees

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM | Welcome to Erie Homecoming 2022

James Grunke, president and CEO of Erie Regional Chamber, welcomes attendees to Erie Homecoming 2022: Right Here, Right Now

12:45 PM – 1:15 PM | Why Erie, Why Now

1:15 PM – 1:45 PM | Good Bones and where to find them

Pete Zaphiris tells the story of why he became so invested in Downtown Erie as well as key things he looks for when making any investment

1:45 PM – 2:15 PM | Creating Community

Join founders of four groups that identified a need and created community as young professionals and what these groups are doing
today to create impact in Erie.

2:15 PM – 2:45 PM | All in the Family

Did you know a large percentage of Western PA businesses are family owned? In 2021, Penn State Behrend established the Center for Family
Business after recognizing the unique challenges facing these organizations. Learn how the work at the center as well as work with
Decision Associates – a leading firm in strategic planning for businesses – are working to develop actionable succession and sustainability plans for local businesses.

2:45 PM – 3:15 PM | Untapped Talent: Expanding Diversity and Inclusion in the
Workplace

Brandon Wiley from OpenedEyes will lead a panel discussion with representatives from Erie County Re-Entry Services and Support Alliance, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants about how business can expand outreach to new populations within the community.

3:15 PM – 3:45 PM | Women In Leadership

Did you know that four of Pennsylvania’s preeminent education and healthcare organizations are led by women? Neeli Bendapudi, president of Penn State University, and Cynthia Hundorfean, president and CEO of
Allegheny Health Network will share their thoughts on women’s role in executive leadership and how they’re setting the stage for leads of tomorrow.

4:15 PM – 4:30 PM | Closing Remarks

We’ll close out day one recognizing community leaders who have been instrumental in transforming Erie.

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
Networking Reception

Enjoy local performers while connecting over cocktails to business professionals and fellow conference attendees.

Thursday, Oct 5

LOCATION: Bayfront Convention Center

7:30am-8:30am
Check In/Coffee/Light Breakfast

8:35am-8:50am: Kick Off with The Cadets
They are a highly competitive drum corps. The Cadets is one of the most decorated drum corps in history and the oldest corps of its kind still in operation today.

9:05am-9:45am: Matt Kohler, Vice Admiral, US Navy (Retired)
Keynote Presentation
A Global Perspective: Erie, The Navy, and The World

9:50am - 10:20am: VNET
Presenting Sponsor
Champions for Connectivity: Bringing the World to Erie

10:25am - 10:55am: Adam Williams, Founder, Rust Belt Law
Speaker
Embracing Failure

11:20am - 11:50am: African American Women in Leadership
Panel Discussion
Shattered Ceilings: Race and Gender in Erie

11:55am - 12:25pm: Chuck Peters and Christian Siembieda
Erie Renaissance Building

1:30pm - 2:00 pm: Jared Fleiser, Vice President, Rocket Companies
Speaker
Revitalization: Lessons from the Motor City

2:05pm - 2:35pm: First Ascent Biomedical/Allegheny Health Network/Gannon University
Changing the Status Quo: A New Way to Treat Cancer

3:05pm - 3:35pm: Infinite Erie
Infinite Erie: Putting Plans Into Action

3:40pm - 4:10pm: Dr. Matthew White, Founder, Whitethorn Games
Speaker
Entertainment for Everyone: Whitethorn Games

4:15pm - 4:45pm: Justin Fried, Owner, NFI Empire
Speaker
Growing an Empire: The NFI Story

4:50pm - 5:20pm: Antonio Howard, Creative Director
Speaker
Painting a Better Future: Inspiring a Community Through Art

5:30pm - 7:30pm
Closing Reception

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Networking/Coffee

Join us for a light breakfast and networking.

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM | Community Vibes

The heart and soul of any community is the eclectic group of businesses and organizations that bring fresh perspective and engaging
opportunities for all walks of life. Hear from some of Erie’s organizations with a deep passion for creating a vibrant community where we live, work, and play.

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM | Opening Remarks

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Fresh Faces

Meet some of Erie newest faces that have recently relocated and have made significant investments in their new home

10:05 AM – 10:30 AM | BREAKFAST BUFFET/BREAK

10:35 AM – 11:05 AM | FIRE & ICE

Learn about the newly formed ICE Angel fund and hear about the importance of investment in an emerging economy

11:10 AM – 11:45 AM | Opportunities For Growth

When business, government, and philanthropic leaders collaborate we can create a vision for a better tomorrow. Kim Thomas,
director of Erie’s Inclusive Growth, will lead a panel discussion about transformational and collaborative opportunities taking shape throughout the region.

11:50 PM – 1:00 PM | Turning Passion Into Legacy

Tom Hagen – civic leader, philanthropist, and preservationist – will share how he’s turned his passion into legacy, followed by a panel of fellow Erieites discussing how they’re building philanthropic wealth in community
assets.

1:00 PM - 1:15 PM | Closing Remarks

YOU are part of Erie’s evolution. Leverage Erie’s assets right here, right now to be part of its transformation.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

For more information, contact Colleen Gross, Director of Events and Programs, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership at [email protected] or (814) 454-7191 ext. 146.

Deadline To Register: September 27th, 2023.

General Admission
MEMBER PRICE

$225

General Admission
NON-MEMBER

$245

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

For more information, contact Colleen Gross, Director of Membership Services, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership at [email protected] or (814) 454-07191 ext. 146.