BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P3D REFRESH-INTERVAL:P3D CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260618T200000Z DTEND:20260619T010000Z X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:FALSE SUMMARY:Inland Empire Innovation and Opportunity Business Forum 2026 DESCRIPTION:Inland Empire Innovation and Opportunity Business Forum 2026\n\nThe 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\nHeadshots and bios for speakers and panelists will be included at the bottom of the event page.\n\n\nFeatured Keynote Speaker\n\nRandall Lewis - Building the Future of the Inland Empire: Leadership\, Innovation\, and Long-Term Opportunity\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFeatured 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:\n\nJessica Lum\, Diamond Wipes International\n\n\nThe 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:\n\nKody Bakos\, Vertical IT Solutions\n\nKara Dutton\, Bank of America\n\nChris Daden\, Criteria Corp\n\n\nBusiness 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:\n\nDeepun Desai\, Araina Aviation\n\n\n \n\nAdmission\n\nChamber Members: $99\n\nNon-Members: $149\n\nAdmission includes access to the forum\, panel discussions\, keynote presentation\, networking\, food\, and post-program Topgolf networking experience.\n\n\nSponsorship Opportunities\n\nEnterprise Leader $8\,000\n\nExclusive branding as the "Enterprise Leader" of the event.\n\nDigital advertisement opportunities\n\n10 VIP tickets with reserved seating.\n\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay\n\nAcknowledgment in press releases and media coverage.\n\nSpecial mention during the opening and closing remarks.\n\nVerbal recognition at the event\n\nStrategic Partner $5\,000\n\nProminent branding as the "Strategic Partner" of the event.\n\nDigital advertisement opportunities\n\n8 VIP tickets.\n\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay\n\nVerbal recognition at the event\n\nInnovation Advocate $3\,000\n\nRecognized as the "Innovation Advocate" of the event.\n\nDigital advertisement opportunities\n\n6 tickets.\n\nVerbal recognition at the event\n\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay\n\nBusiness Supporter $2\,000\n\nAcknowledged as the "Business Supporter" of the event.\n\nDigital advertisement opportunities\n\n4 tickets.\n\nVerbal recognition at the event\n\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay\n\nEntrepreneur Advocate $1\,000\n\nListed as the "Entrepreneur Advocate" of the event.\n\nLogo placement on the event website.\n\n2 tickets.\n\nMention in press releases and media coverage.\n\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay\n\nVerbal recognition at the event\n\nCommunity Catalyst $500\n\nAcknowledged as the "Community Catalyst" of the event.\n\nName listed on the event website.\n\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay\n\n1 ticket\n\n\nQuestions\n\nFor sponsorship opportunities\, registration questions\, or additional information\, please contact:\n\nZeb Welborn\n\nzwelborn@chinovalleychamber.com\n\n\n\nJulia Cabrera\n\njcabrera@chinovalleychamber.com\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker Bios:\n\n\n\nRandall Lewis\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWith over 50-years' experience in the real estate industry\, Randall Lewis is Executive\n\nVice President and a Principal of Lewis Management Corp.\, a member of the Lewis\n\nGroup of Companies.\n\n\n\nThe Lewis Group of Companies is one of the most active real estate developers in\n\nCalifornia and Nevada. They are developing over a dozen significant master planned\n\ncommunities and own over 35 shopping centers. In addition\, the Lewis Group has many\n\napartment and industrial projects underway throughout California and Nevada. The\n\nLewis Group owns over 13\,000 apartments and controls land for over 40\,000 future\n\nhomes and apartments. Throughout its history\, they've built well over 60\,000 homes and\n\napartments.\n\n\n\nRandall served as president of the Building Industry Association Baldy View Chapter and\n\nalso served as a lifetime director of the National Association of Homebuilders. He\n\ncurrently serves on the Southern California Leadership Council. Randall served 12 years\n\non the Executive Committee of the Southern California Association of Governments. He\n\nsupports the Urban Land Institute (ULI)/Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability and the\n\nULI/Randall Lewis Building Healthy Places Forum. Randall is an active and philanthropic\n\nsupporter of health\, education\, entrepreneurship\, and the arts. Through his generosity\n\nand support\, Randall has helped establish the University of La Verne's Randall Lewis\n\nCenter for Well-Being and Research\, and the University of La Verne's Randall Lewis\n\nCenter for Entrepreneurship\, Innovation\, and Social Impact\, as well as Claremont\n\nMcKenna College's Randall Lewis Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship\, and\n\nbecause of his generous support\, Chaffey College has opened the Randall Lewis Center\n\nfor Entrepreneurship and Innovation and has made a naming gift to California State\n\nUniversity of San Bernardino for the Randall W. Lewis School for Entrepreneurship and\n\nInnovation.\n\n\n\nRandall has received numerous awards including the 2016 Inland Empire Champion\n\nAward from the Inland Empire Hispanic Leadership Council\, and the 2019 Ontario\n\nMuseum Art & Culture Award. In 2021\, Randall received the UC Riverside Policy\n\nInnovator Award and in 2024\, he received the Growing Inland Achievement Award in\n\nInnovation. In 2026\, Randall was named in Inland Empire Magazine one of its "50\n\nPlayers Who Shaped the Region in the Last 50 Years."\n\n\n\nIn 2021\, Randall received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from California\n\nState University San Bernardino. He also received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane\n\nLetters from the University of La Verne in 2022.\n\n\n\nPanel: Growth and Scale: Looking Ahead\n\n\n\nJessica Lum\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJessica Lum is President of Diamond Wipes\, a wet wipes and fillers contract manufacturer headquartered in Chino\, CA with a sister plant in Fredonia\, WI. She is responsible for the strategic growth and implementation of business initiatives for the company which employs over 400 people. Prior to this role\, Jessica has held management positions at Intel\, Henkel\, and Texen. She is active in the community and supports nonprofit organizations including the American Cancer Society\, Disabled American Veterans\, Girls Scouts\, Working Wardrobes\, and Meals on Wheels. Jessica holds a MBA from Duke University and a BS from California Institute of Technology.\n\n\n\nPanel: The New IE Advantage: Capital\, Talent\, and Technology\n\n\n\nKody Bakos\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKody Bakos is CEO of Vertical IT Solutions\, a cybersecurity-driven managed services provider based in Chino\, California. As CEO\, Kody has built a team serving small and mid-market businesses as well as public sector clients across the region. With expertise in network infrastructure\, cloud platforms\, and security architecture\, he combines technical depth with business operations experience\, overseeing everything from service delivery and compliance to sales development and team leadership. Kody's approach focuses on helping Inland Empire businesses strengthen their security posture\, scale operations\, and leverage technology to compete in an evolving market. He lives in Chino with his wife and two children. X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:
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\n

Inland Empire Innovation and Opportunity Business \;Forum 2026

\n\n

The Inland Empire is growing\, changing\, and creating new opportunities for businesses\, entrepreneurs\, and community leaders.

\n\n

The \;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\n

This 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\n

Whether 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\n

Hosted 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\n

The 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\n

Join 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\n

Headshots and bios for speakers and panelists will be included at the bottom of the event page.

\n\n
\n

Featured Keynote Speaker

\n\n

Randall Lewis - \;Building the Future of the Inland Empire: Leadership\, Innovation\, and Long-Term Opportunity
\n
\n

\n\n
\n

Featured Panels

\n\n

Growth &\; Scale: Looking Ahead

\n\n

Growth does not happen by accident. It takes vision\, discipline\, leadership\, and the ability to make good decisions through different stages of business.

\n\n

This panel will focus on what it takes to grow and scale a business while preparing for long-term success.

\n\n

Confirmed Panelist:
\nJessica Lum\, Diamond Wipes International

\n\n
\n

The New IE Advantage: Capital\, Talent\, and Technology

\n\n

Businesses need access to the right people\, resources\, and tools to stay competitive.

\n\n

This 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\n

Confirmed Panelists:
\nKody Bakos\, Vertical IT Solutions
\nKara Dutton\, Bank of America
\nChris Daden\, Criteria Corp

\n\n
\n

Business in the Trenches

\n\n

Every business has challenges that do not always show up in the success stories.

\n\n

This 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\n

Confirmed Panelist:
\nDeepun Desai\, Araina Aviation

\n\n
\n

 \;

\n\n

Admission

\n\n

Chamber Members: \;$99
\nNon-Members: \;$149

\n\n

Admission includes access to the forum\, panel discussions\, keynote presentation\, networking\, food\, and post-program Topgolf networking experience.

\n\n
\n

Sponsorship Opportunities

\n\n

Enterprise Leader &mdash\; $8\,000

\n\n

Exclusive 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

\n\n

Strategic Partner &mdash\; $5\,000

\n\n

Prominent branding as the "\;Strategic Partner"\; of the event.
\nDigital advertisement opportunities
\n8 VIP tickets.
\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay
\nVerbal recognition at the event

\n\n

Innovation Advocate &mdash\; $3\,000

\n\n

Recognized as the "\;Innovation Advocate"\; of the event.
\nDigital advertisement opportunities
\n6 tickets.
\nVerbal recognition at the event
\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay

\n\n

Business Supporter &mdash\; $2\,000

\n\n

Acknowledged as the "\;Business Supporter"\; of the event.
\nDigital advertisement opportunities
\n4 tickets.
\nVerbal recognition at the event
\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay

\n\n

Entrepreneur Advocate &mdash\; $1\,000

\n\n

Listed 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

\n\n

Community Catalyst &mdash\; $500

\n\n

Acknowledged as the "\;Community Catalyst"\; of the event.
\nName listed on the event website.
\nPriority placement in TopGolf bay
\n1 ticket

\n\n
\n

Questions

\n\n

For sponsorship opportunities\, registration questions\, or additional information\, please contact:

\n\n

Zeb Welborn
\nzwelborn@chinovalleychamber.com
\n
\nJulia Cabrera
\njcabrera@chinovalleychamber.com

\n
\n
\n\n

\nSpeaker Bios:
\n
\nRandall Lewis
\n
\n
\n
\nWith over 50-years&rsquo\; experience in the real estate industry\, Randall Lewis is Executive
\nVice President and a Principal of Lewis Management Corp.\, a member of the Lewis
\nGroup of Companies.
\n
\nThe Lewis Group of Companies is one of the most active real estate developers in
\nCalifornia and Nevada. They are developing over a dozen significant master planned
\ncommunities and own over 35 shopping centers. In addition\, the Lewis Group has many
\napartment and industrial projects underway throughout California and Nevada. The
\nLewis Group owns over 13\,000 apartments and controls land for over 40\,000 future
\nhomes and apartments. Throughout its history\, they&rsquo\;ve built well over 60\,000 homes and
\napartments.
\n
\nRandall served as president of the Building Industry Association Baldy View Chapter and
\nalso served as a lifetime director of the National Association of Homebuilders. He
\ncurrently serves on the Southern California Leadership Council. Randall served 12 years
\non the Executive Committee of the Southern California Association of Governments. He
\nsupports the Urban Land Institute (ULI)/Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability and the
\nULI/Randall Lewis Building Healthy Places Forum. Randall is an active and philanthropic
\nsupporter of health\, education\, entrepreneurship\, and the arts. Through his generosity
\nand support\, Randall has helped establish the University of La Verne&rsquo\;s Randall Lewis
\nCenter for Well-Being and Research\, and the University of La Verne&rsquo\;s Randall Lewis
\nCenter for Entrepreneurship\, Innovation\, and Social Impact\, as well as Claremont
\nMcKenna College&rsquo\;s Randall Lewis Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship\, and
\nbecause of his generous support\, Chaffey College has opened the Randall Lewis Center
\nfor Entrepreneurship and Innovation and has made a naming gift to California State
\nUniversity of San Bernardino for the Randall W. Lewis School for Entrepreneurship and
\nInnovation.
\n
\nRandall has received numerous awards including the 2016 Inland Empire Champion
\nAward from the Inland Empire Hispanic Leadership Council\, and the 2019 Ontario
\nMuseum Art &\; Culture Award. In 2021\, Randall received the UC Riverside Policy
\nInnovator Award and in 2024\, he received the Growing Inland Achievement Award in
\nInnovation. In 2026\, Randall was named in Inland Empire Magazine one of its &ldquo\;50
\nPlayers Who Shaped the Region in the Last 50 Years.&rdquo\;
\n
\nIn 2021\, Randall received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from California
\nState University San Bernardino. He also received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane
\nLetters from the University of La Verne in 2022.
\n
\nPanel: Growth and Scale: Looking Ahead
\n
\nJessica Lum
\n
\n
\n
\nJessica Lum is President of Diamond Wipes\, a wet wipes and fillers contract manufacturer headquartered in Chino\, CA with a sister plant in Fredonia\, WI. \; She is responsible for the strategic growth and implementation of business initiatives for the company which employs over 400 people. \; Prior to this role\, Jessica has held management positions at Intel\, Henkel\, and Texen. \; She is active in the community and supports nonprofit organizations including the American Cancer Society\, Disabled American Veterans\, Girls Scouts\, Working Wardrobes\, and Meals on Wheels. \; Jessica holds a MBA from Duke University and a BS from California Institute of Technology.
\n
\nPanel: \;The New IE Advantage: Capital\, Talent\, and Technology
\n
\nKody Bakos
\n
\n
\n
\nKody Bakos \;is CEO of Vertical IT Solutions\, a cybersecurity-driven managed services provider based in Chino\, California. As CEO\, Kody has built a team serving small and mid-market businesses as well as public sector clients across the region. With expertise in network infrastructure\, cloud platforms\, and security architecture\, he combines technical depth with business operations experience\, overseeing everything from service delivery and compliance to sales development and team leadership. Kody'\;s approach focuses on helping Inland Empire businesses strengthen their security posture\, scale operations\, and leverage technology to compete in an evolving market. He lives in Chino with his wife and two children.
\n LOCATION:Topgolf Ontario 1050 N Archibald Ave Ontario\, CA 91764 UID:e.1511.8281 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260520T211522Z URL:https://business.chinovalleychamber.com/events/details/inland-empire-innovation-and-opportunity-business-forum-2026-8281 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR