2025 Annual Conference on October 6th at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa 

The Walton Area Chamber of Commerce announces a dynamic speaker lineup and their topics of expertise for “The Next BIG Thing” Annual Conference, presented by Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast and Eglin Federal Credit Union on Monday, October 6th at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa.

Tickets are $250, with a $50 discount for Chamber Members at The Next BIG Thing 2025 Event Page. Attendees will join more than 200 emerging and established business professionals for a high-energy event designed to inspire, connect, and energize the local business community. 

The action-packed day begins with a light breakfast featuring mimosas, coffee, and networking in the bustling Vendor Hall, where attendees can also take advantage of complimentary professional headshots provided by Epic Photo Co. Participants will immerse themselves throughout the day in a dynamic lineup of TED Talk–style breakout sessions led by thought leaders and innovators from across the region. 

The event culminates with a lively cocktail hour, complete with a complimentary beverage, heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, and over $2,000 in prizes. Exciting raffle giveaways will also be available throughout the day. 

These inspiring and distinguished speakers will present in three dynamic growth tracks including Leadership Development, Entrepreneurship, and Women in Business, with a total of nine breakout sessions all igniting ideas and sparking innovation for attendees. 

“We are so proud to bring an event of this caliber to our region and our professionals, providing a unique networking and learning opportunity all in one place on one exciting day,” says Megan Harrison, CEO of the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Session topics will include, but not limited to, Cultivating an Unshakable Mindset to Create Unstoppable Momentum; Navigating Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace; You Can Start Late,

Look Different, Be Uncertain but Still Succeed; Turning Contacts into Contracts; Discovering Joy as a Leadership Superpower, Podcast Development Strategies and Health and Wellness gurus. For a comprehensive schedule, visit The Next BIG Thing 2025 Event Page. 

Featured Speakers: 

Keynote Speakers – Marvelless Mark of Turn it Up Leadership will be the Morning Keynote Speaker presenting “Headliners of the Future: Unleashing Leadership and Team, Breakthrough, Innovation, and the Next Big Thing.” Amy Howard, renowned entrepreneur and founder of Amy Howard Home, will close the day with “Crafting a Beautiful Life – Risk, Resilience, and the Rewards of Bold Leadership.” 

Leadership Track – Akai Jackson of IXL, LLC will lead the Leadership Breakout Session “Built for Impact – Unshakable Mindset, Unstoppable Moment.” Richard Sanders of GoodWorks Mission, LLC and Jason Becker will present another Leadership Breakout Session featuring “Can Your Business Survive Without a Podcast” and Ryan Zofray of We Level Up Treatment Centers, will offer a Breakout Session in this track. 

Women in Business Track – Britanny Blackman of Discover Freedom kicks off Women in Business Track with “You’re Leading Humans, Not Robots: Navigating Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace.” Katie Martin of Katie Martin Studio will present “You Can Start Late, Look Different, Be Uncertain – And Still Succeed.” Karen Key-Smith with Beachy Beach Real Estate and My Happy Ass Life Podcast will offer a session on “What if Joy is the Secret to Leadership?” 

Entrepreneurship Track – Joelle Moray of Integrate Wellness offers a session on “How to Actually Rest.” Kerri Parker, Cindy Garrard, and George Brannon will host a panel on “Storytelling that Sells Branding and Marketing in Action Panel.” And Key McKay of Grow with Key presents “From Contacts to Contracts: Mastering the Art of Business Development.” 

Register today and be part of one of the most impactful business events on the Emerald Coast. To attend the conference, visit The Next BIG Thing 2025 Event Page. Sponsorships for The Next BIG Thing are also still available: Local businesses and individuals interested in sponsorships should contact Gabrielle Hamilton at 850-892-3191 or Gabrielle@WaltonAreaChamber.com. 

The Walton Area Chamber would like to thank Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, Eglin Federal Credit Union, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Emerald Coast Hospice, Sandestin Courtyard Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, The Barrett School, United Way Emerald Coast, D.R. Horton, NBI Properties, Florida Blue, Florida Power and Light, St. Joe Company, 30A Flexspace, Sean Devlin Home + Design, Dunlap & Shipman P.A., All in Credit Union, Krueger, Fosdyck, Brown, McCall & Associates, SBDC West Florida, Blue Ocean Custom Signs, Maranta Copy Co., Discover Freedom and Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon all without whom The Next Big Thing would not be possible.