Inland Empire Innovation and Opportunity Business \;Forum 2026
\n\nAgenda:
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12:30 PM - 1:00 PM - Registration &\; Pre-Event Networking
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1:00 PM - 1:15 PM: Welcome and Opening Remarks
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1:15 PM - 2:00 PM: Panel #1 &ndash\; Growth &\; Scale: Looking Ahead
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Panelists: \;
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Jessica Lum - President of Diamond Wipes International
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Tanner Schamber - President of Schamber Company
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Frank Gutierrez - Founder of CMAX Commercial Maintenance
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Moderator: Mitchell Morris
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2:00 PM - 2:45 PM: Panel #2 &ndash\; The New IE Advantage: Capital\, Talent &\; Technology
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Panelists: \;
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Kody Bakos - CEO of Vertical IT Solutions
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Chris Daden - Chief Technology &\; AI Officer at Criteria Corp
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Moderator: Leslie Morales - Chief Operating Officer at the Competitive Edge Group
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2:45 PM - 3:00 PM Networking Break \;
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3:00 PM - 3:15 PM: Keynote: Building the Future of the Inland Empire: Leadership\, Innovation\, and Long-Term Opportunity
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Speaker: Randall Lewis\, Owner\, Lewis Group of Companies \;
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3:15 PM - 4:00 PM Panel #3: Business in the Trenches
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Panelists: \;
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Deepun Desai - President &\; CEO of Araina Aviation
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Chris Najera - Founder of Najera Environmental
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Rhonda Brogdon - Revenue &\; Business Development Consultant \;
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Moderator: \; Nick Schultz
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4:00 PM - 4:15 PM Closing Remarks \;
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4:15 PM - 6:00 PM TopGolf
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The Inland Empire is growing\, changing\, and creating new opportunities for businesses\, entrepreneurs\, and community leaders.
\n\nThe \;Inland Empire Innovation &\; Opportunity Business Forum \;2026 \;is designed to bring people together who care about where our region is headed and want to play a role in shaping what comes next.
\n\nThis event will feature business leaders\, entrepreneurs\, and innovators who are building companies\, solving problems\, creating jobs\, and helping move the Inland Empire forward. Through practical panel discussions and a keynote presentation from \;Randall Lewis\, attendees will hear real stories about growth\, leadership\, capital\, talent\, technology\, and the challenges that come with building something meaningful.
\n\nWhether you are a business owner\, executive\, entrepreneur\, emerging leader\, or community partner\, this event is an opportunity to learn from people who are doing the work\, connect with others who care about our region\, and walk away with ideas you can apply in your own business or organization.
\n\nHosted at \;Topgolf Ontario\, the forum will include panel discussions\, a keynote presentation\, food\, networking\, and time after the program to connect with other attendees while enjoying Topgolf.
\n\nThe Inland Empire has talented people\, strong businesses\, and tremendous potential. Events like this help bring those pieces together so we can continue building a stronger regional economy and more opportunities for the people who live and work here.
\n\nJoin us for an afternoon of insight\, connection\, and conversation with some of the leaders helping shape the future of business in the Inland Empire.
\n\nFood &\; Topgolf Experience Included
\n\nThis event is more than a business forum.
\n\nFollowing the keynote and panel discussions\, attendees will have time to continue conversations\, build relationships\, enjoy food\, and participate in the Topgolf experience.
\n\nAdmission includes access to the forum\, panel discussions\, keynote presentation\, networking\, food\, and post-program Topgolf gameplay.
\n\nFood will include a Mediterranean-style menu with salad\, mezze\, grilled balsamic chicken\, lemon butter vegetable pasta\, grilled vegetables\, fountain drinks\, iced tea\, coffee\, and water.
\n\nAlcoholic beverages will be available for individual purchase.
\n\nThis is a great opportunity to connect with business leaders in a setting that is professional\, relaxed\, and fun.
\n\nHeadshots and bios for speakers and panelists will be included at the bottom of the event page.
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Featured Keynote Speaker
\n\nRandall Lewis - \;Building the Future of the Inland Empire: Leadership\, Innovation\, and Long-Term Opportunity
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Featured Panels
\n\nGrowth &\; Scale: Looking Ahead
\n\nGrowth does not happen by accident. It takes vision\, discipline\, leadership\, and the ability to make good decisions through different stages of business.
\n\nThis panel will focus on what it takes to grow and scale a business while preparing for long-term success.
\n\nConfirmed Panelist:
\nJessica Lum\, Diamond Wipes International
\nTanner Schamber\, Schamber Company
\nFrank Gutierrez\, CMAX Commercial Maintenance
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The New IE Advantage: Capital\, Talent\, and Technology
\n\nBusinesses need access to the right people\, resources\, and tools to stay competitive.
\n\nThis panel will explore how capital\, talent\, and technology are shaping the next phase of business growth in the Inland Empire and how our region can continue building on its strengths.
\n\nConfirmed Panelists:
\nKody Bakos\, Vertical IT Solutions
\nChris Daden\, Criteria Corp
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Business in the Trenches
\n\nEvery business has challenges that do not always show up in the success stories.
\n\nThis panel will focus on the real work of entrepreneurship: difficult decisions\, unexpected obstacles\, lessons learned\, and the practical realities of building and operating a business.
\n\nConfirmed Panelist:
\nDeepun Desai\, Araina Aviation
\nChris Najera\, Najera Environmental
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\n\nAdmission
\n\nChamber Members: \;$99
\nNon-Members: \;$149
Admission includes access to the forum\, panel discussions\, keynote presentation\, networking\, food\, and post-program Topgolf networking experience.
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Sponsorship Opportunities
\n\nEnterprise Leader - \;$8\,000
\n\nExclusive branding as the "\;Enterprise Leader"\; of the event.
\nDigital advertisement opportunities
\n10 VIP tickets with reserved seating.
\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay
\nAcknowledgment in press releases and media coverage.
\nSpecial mention during the opening and closing remarks.
\nVerbal recognition at the event
Strategic Partner - \;$5\,000
\n\nProminent branding as the "\;Strategic Partner"\; of the event.
\nDigital advertisement opportunities
\n8 VIP tickets.
\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay
\nVerbal recognition at the event
Innovation Advocate - \;$3\,000
\n\nRecognized as the "\;Innovation Advocate"\; of the event.
\nDigital advertisement opportunities
\n6 tickets.
\nVerbal recognition at the event
\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay
Business Supporter - \;$2\,000
\n\nAcknowledged as the "\;Business Supporter"\; of the event.
\nDigital advertisement opportunities
\n4 tickets.
\nVerbal recognition at the event
\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay
Entrepreneur Advocate ? $1\,000
\n\nListed as the "\;Entrepreneur Advocate"\; of the event.
\nLogo placement on the event website.
\n2 tickets.
\nMention in press releases and media coverage.
\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay
\nVerbal recognition at the event
Community Catalyst - \;$500
\n\nAcknowledged as the "\;Community Catalyst"\; of the event.
\nName listed on the event website.
\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay
\n1 ticket
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Questions
\n\nFor sponsorship opportunities\, registration questions\, or additional information\, please contact:
\n\nZeb Welborn
\nzwelborn@chinovalleychamber.com
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\nJulia Cabrera
\njcabrera@chinovalleychamber.com
