Inside our Reimagining Leadership Conference

On February 24, 2026, MTEC SmartZone welcomed over 55 small business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs to its Reimagining Leadership Conference. This event was designed to explore what leadership looks like today, where it’s headed next, and how to effectively lead in the ever-changing landscape.

Held in Houghton, Michigan, the conference brought together four dynamic speakers for a day focused on modern leadership, strategic communication, lean management, and artificial intelligence. The goal was to provide practical, actionable insights that Western UP businesses can actually use.

Right from the start, there was a strong energy in the room. Attendees weren’t just there to listen; they were there to learn, engage, and walk away with something meaningful. One attendee shared:

“I have been to many leadership and other training events. This was top 1%.”

- Reimagining Leadership Attendee

Let Them Lead

John U. Bacon gave an engaging session on leadership, where he drew from his experience in transforming the nation’s worst high school hockey teams into a top-performing program. He emphasized the power of setting high expectations, building trust, and giving teams ownership. Through his captivating and emotional stories, he explained how leaders can create cultures where individuals are empowered to lead themselves and others.

John U. Bacon

Making the Complex Clear: The Power of Strategic Communication

Adela Piper focused on the power of strategic communication. During her presentation, she highlighted how intentional messaging can build trust, create alignment, and turn complex ideas into clear, actionable direction. Her insights emphasized the role of authentic communication in the workplace and how it can strengthen influence and impact across teams.

Adela Piper

Unlock Growth: Mastering Lean Leadership, Strategy, and Problem-Solving in Your Business

Jon Harry’s presentation was centered around lean leadership and strategies for driving business growth. He emphasized how removing waste, improving processes, and empowering teams to solve problems can create an immeasurably positive impact. He also emphasized the importance building a “continuous improvement culture” within small businesses.

Jon Harry

The Science of Doing it All Without Losing Your Mind

Karen Colbert session explored how emerging AI tools can help leaders, especially small business owners, better manage their time, streamline workflows, and work more efficiently without burning out. She highlighted the growing importance of leveraging AI agents and automation to stay competitive while maintaining high-value work.

Karen Colbert

Following the event, attendees had the opportunity to participate in optional one-on-one sessions with any of the speakers. These conversations allowed participants to dive deeper into their personal business-related challenges, ask questions, and walk away with advice tailored to their specific needs.

Reimagining Leadership was designed to address the unique challenges small businesses face across Michigan’s U.P. : operating in a rural community and limited access to professional development opportunities. This year’s event made it clear that there is a high demand for continued learning across the region. Through the Small Business Support Hub Program, MTEC is committed to supporting that desire for growth. We plan to bring more resources and educational opportunities to the entrepreneurs and local businesses driving innovation across the Western U.P. We encourage you to take this 30-second survey and let us know what types of events or topics you’d like to see next. Take the survey: Help Us Shape Our Next Small Business Event – Fill out form

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About MTEC

Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation (MTEC) is one of 21 SmartZone Incubators in the State of Michigan. MTEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Its mission is to facilitate the creation and ongoing success of high-tech value propositions in conjunction with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since 2003, the MTEC SmartZone has provided mentoring, technical support, and other services to local companies, leading to the creation of over 800 high-tech jobs in the Houghton and Hancock, Michigan area.

About MEDC

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies, and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state. MEDC’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiative establishes Michigan as the place to create and grow a business by providing high-tech start-up companies with access to a variety of critical resources, such as funding and expert counsel, from ideation to maturation. For more on MEDC Entrepreneurship & Innovation, visit michiganbusiness.org/entrepreneurship.