TROY ? Mark Symonds, president and CEO of Plex Systems, will keynote Automation Alley’s first all-day conference and expo on Jan. 25 where members can learn skills to promote their businesses.

Accelerate 2011: Learning. Connecting. Growing at the Centerpoint Marriott in Auburn Hills. Symonds’ keynote presentation will discuss the everyday challenges of managing a business, overcoming obstacles and his tips for success.

The conference offers Automation Alley members and those in Southeast Michigan’s business community the opportunity to network and learn applicable skills designed to promote success. Attendees, ranging from the CEO to the sales team, will:

Learn key strategies to make a business successful

Connect with local business owners to form strategic alliances and partnerships

Explore business growth opportunities through networking and exhibitor opportunities, educational breakout sessions and more

Educational breakout sessions will cover every facet of business:

How to Build Lasting Trust with Employees, Customers and Partners:

Speaker: Ron Crabtree, MetaOps

Diversification Strategies and Business Market Diversification:

Speaker: Brian Nixon, Sales Matrix

How to Get Funding from Unconventional Money Sources:

Panelists:

Mike Semanco, Hennessey Capital

Rita Miller, PNC Bank

Jim Recker, TIP Capital

Robert Anderson, Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy & Sadler, PLC

Beyond the Noise: The Most Effective Social Media Tools:

Panelists:

Jason Ryan, Vision Fuel Media

Don Tanner, Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications

Passionate Performers: How to Get the Most from your Sales Team:

Speaker: Dave Tear, Sales Coaches’ Corner

Viral Marketing and SEO:

Speaker: Charlie Wollberg, Curve Detroit

How to Think Differently in a Down Economy:

Panelists:

Kirk Armstrong, Gerry Weinberg & Associates

Matt Friedman, Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications

Daniel H. Minkus, Clark Hill

Demystifying Cloud Technology:

Speaker: Bill Wagner, SRT Solutions

Michigan Innovation and Growth:

Speaker: Mark Lundquist, Fulcrum Edge

The pre-registration price for Automation Alley members is $69 and $89 at-the-door. For non-members, the cost is $99 to pre-register and $119 at-the-door. Registration, networking and breakfast will take place from 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.; lunch will be served from 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The day will close with a networking reception from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact Automation Alley’s

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