2026 Schedule

Check-in begins at 8:30AM. There will be breakfast provided with a short networking period.

A candid conversation with Monica Nassif and Pam Helms, founders of Caldrea and Mrs. Meyer’s.

What does it take to move an idea from innovation to impact? Monica Nassif and Pam Helms, founders of Caldrea and Mrs. Meyer’s, share the story behind turning an innovative product concept into two nationally recognized brands. From deciding when an idea is worth pursuing to protecting intellectual property, securing funding, building partnerships, navigating competition, and scaling into retail, they’ll unpack the decisions and lessons that helped turn their expertise into real-world impact. 

Should I Build It?

From Research to Real-World Impact

Have an idea you can’t stop thinking about, but aren’t sure if it’s worth pursuing? In this hands-on session, participants will work through practical tools to pressure-test an innovation before investing significant time or resources. Explore how to define the problem, understand who needs a solution, assess the market, test your assumptions, and identify what you need to learn next. Leave with a clearer sense of whether your idea has potential and a practical framework for deciding what to do next.

How Do I Build It?

Finding the Right Capital for Your Innovation

You’ve validated the idea. You have customers willing to pay. Now what? This hands-on session will walk innovators through the five key steps to turn early traction into a scalable business. Explore what comes next, from securing the right resources and building your team to developing your product, establishing operations, and preparing for growth. Leave with a clearer roadmap for moving from a validated idea to a business built for the next stage.

How Do I Use AI to Accelerate It?

Putting AI to Work for Your Innovation

AI is changing how we research, create, test, and bring ideas to market. Explore practical ways to use AI throughout the innovation process, from research and ideation to prototyping, marketing, and operations. Learn where AI can accelerate your work, where human expertise matters most, and how to use these tools responsibly.

Should I Build It?

From Research to Real-World Impact

Have an idea you can’t stop thinking about, but aren’t sure if it’s worth pursuing? In this hands-on session, participants will work through practical tools to pressure-test an innovation before investing significant time or resources. Explore how to define the problem, understand who needs a solution, assess the market, test your assumptions, and identify what you need to learn next. Leave with a clearer sense of whether your idea has potential and a practical framework for deciding what to do next.

How Do I Build It?

From Validation to Venture

You’ve validated the idea. You have customers willing to pay. Now what? This hands-on session will walk innovators through the five key steps to turn early traction into a scalable business. Explore what comes next, from securing the right resources and building your team to developing your product, establishing operations, and preparing for growth. Leave with a clearer roadmap for moving from a validated idea to a business built for the next stage.

How Do I Use AI to Accelerate It?

Putting AI to Work for Your Innovation

AI is changing how we research, create, test, and bring ideas to market. Explore practical ways to use AI throughout the innovation process, from research and ideation to prototyping, marketing, and operations. Learn where AI can accelerate your work, where human expertise matters most, and how to use these tools responsibly.

More information to come.