The Gathering 2024 Agenda
Tuesday, July 9th
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Gathering Summit “Decadence Luau”
(Pre-Gathering Event)
Reception at AQUA Cabanas
Wednesday, July 10th
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Trade Show Set-Up | Grand Theater
Vendor and Artisan Set-Up
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Registration/Receive Badges | Landing
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Trade Show and Art Market (All Day)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch On Your Own
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Cultural Demonstration | Box Office
Michael Loman (Choctaw)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Grand Ribbon Cutting | Box Office
Please Join State President Bailey Walker and State Board of Directors
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Break
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Vendor Networking Reception | Ballroom and Grand Theater
Special Musical Guest KLIZ
DJ Matchison
Cash Bar Available
Thursday, July 11th
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Event Registration | Receive Badges
Sign-In and Receive Badges at Landing
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Networking Continental Breakfast | Ballroom
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Trade Show and Art Market (All Day)
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
General Session | Ballroom
Master Of Ceremonies: Nicholas Wahpepah
Blessing Of The Gathering: Dean Turner
Welcome: AICCO State President Bailey Walker
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Keynote Speech and Live Q&A | Ballroom
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Trade Show
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch | Ballroom
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
General Session| Ballroom
“Empowering Tribal Nations Through Engineering Solutions”
Steven Hollabaugh, CEO/President, Native Strategies, LLC
Joel Harrison, Engineering Manager, Native Strategies, LLC
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
General Session | Ballroom
“The Voice of the Business Community Matters at the Capitol”
J.T. Petherick, Associate Vice President of Government Relations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
Chad Warmington, President and CEO, The State Chamber of Oklahoma
Suzanne Schreiber, Oklahoma House of Representatives District 70
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
B2B Matchmaking| Ballroom
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Breakout Session 1 | Magnolia 5
“The Buy Indian Act: Info and Updates” Presentation
Gary Gann, Program Manager, TGI Apex Accelerator
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Breakout Session 2 | Magnolia 6
“Preferred Vendors” Panel and Q&A
Sandra Wesson, Manager, Chickasaw Business Network Department
Boyd Miller, Vendor Relations Manager, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Integrated Services
Susan Dean, Program Manager, REI Oklahoma’s Minority Business Center
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Breakout Session 3 | Magnolia 7
“Navigating Crucial Conversations” Panel
Tena Jolly, CEO & Founder, Apela Strategic Solutions, LLC
Jennifer Rogers, Client Services Director, Apela Strategic Solutions, LLC
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
Breakout Session 4 | Magnolia 5
“Tribal Broadband 101” Panel
Moderator: Nicolette Casula
MJ Barton, Oklahoma Broadband Office
Rodney Martin, Senior PM, Olsson Tribal Telecom Team
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
Breakout Session 5 | Magnolia 6
“Public Resources for Your Business” Panel
Moderator: Heidi Hightower
Carter Merkle, TGI APEX Accelerator
Ronald DeGiacomo, APEX Accelerator Coordinator, Kiamichi Tech
Jennifer Edwards, Women’s Business Center
Michele Hockersmith, Oklahoma SBDC
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
Breakout Session 6 | Magnolia 7
“Financing & Lending for Indian Country” Panel
Moderator: Kendra Bennett
Chris Cochran, Credit Analyst, Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation
Michael Kavalier, VP, Treasury Management Officer, Sovereign Bank
Susan Bates, Senior Loan Officer, REI Oklahoma Business Lending
Krista Basinger, SVP of Lending, Tinker Federal Credit Union
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Trade Show and Art Market Tear Down
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Cultural Performance | Ballroom
Award-Winning Blazing Bear Drum Group
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Awards Show and Dinner | Ballroom
Chapter Awards – Member of the Year
Small and Large Business of the Year
President’s Legacy of Servant Leadership Award
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Presidential Reception and Mixer | Ballroom
Karaoke with DJ Matchison
Cash Bar
Friday, July 12th
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Attendee Appreciation Breakfast | Ballroom
Vendor Giveaways
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Closing Remarks | Ballroom
Bailey Walker, AICCO State President