Milwaukee, Wis. (October 6, 2026) — Mark your calendars for Indigenous Biz Con V and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with three days of connection, collaboration and Indigenous business leadership. Hosted by Indigenous Business Group, the 5th annual operator-run business gathering will take place Oct. 11-13 at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee, Wis. Registration is now open HERE.
The fifth annual Indigenous Biz Con invites Tribal leaders, entrepreneurs, corporate partners, innovators, government agencies, investors and Indigenous-owned businesses to unite under the theme “Indigenous Renaissance” and to cultivate generational wellness, wealth and opportunity by building collaborative ventures between Native-owned businesses and state and corporate partners.
Here’s what’s in store during Indigenous Biz Con V:
Sunday, Oct. 11: Begin your IBC weekend by exploring Milwaukee, a city with deep Indigenous roots. Visit Wgema Campus, the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center, Indian Community School and other Native institutions that demonstrate the contemporary Indigenous presence in the region; and experience the local sports culture, craft brewing landscape, brands, recreation spots and more.
From 12pm-3pm (game was moved to 12 noon start), attend a Packers-Bears Watch Party & Opening Gathering, mingle and enjoy the excitement of game day. Then join IBC for a welcome networking reception and Indigenous Marketplace preview from 6-9pm.
Monday, Oct. 12: On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, IBC kicks off with an Opening Ceremony hosted by Chance Rush and Rudy Indigenous. Enjoy a live performance by Supaman, acclaimed Indigenous hip-hop artist, producer and fancy dancer and an opening keynote speech by actor Gary Farmer.
Morning General Sessions begin with the State of Indigenous Business featuring speakers: Little Fawn Boland, CEO of WIHEDC Fern Orie, David Fleming, Jeff Bowman of Bay Bank AICCW and moderator Samantha Skenandore on topics like Tribal economic development, state and federal legislative updates, housing and community development.
Then, General Session II on Building the Next Generation Economy will explore topics including infrastructure, energy, natural resources, gaming history, mobile sports betting, film and entertainment and more with speakers Kip Ritchie of Potawatomi Ventures, Mary Jane Oatman of Nez Perce Tribe and ICIA, filmmaker Jhane Myers, Collin Price of Revel 49 and moderator Rob Pero.
Take a break with a Networking Lunch and Indigenous Marketplace, or listen in to a fireside chat with Ahman Green and Rob Pero; followed by a second fireside chat with women business leaders Samantha Skenandore, Margaret Rose, Jean Marie Thiel and Carla Vigue, Alexis Harris.
Best known in Wisconsin as the Green Bay Packers’ all-time leading rusher, Green comes to Indigenous Biz Con V with a story that extends well beyond football. A citizen of the Choctaw Nation, Green has become involved in mentoring the next generation of Native athletes, including serving as a head coach for the Native All-American Football Game, which brings Native high-school athletes from across the country together for elite coaching, college preparation, leadership development, life skills and mental-wellness programming.
At Indigenous Biz Con V, Green will join Pero for a personal conversation spanning his journey discovering his Choctaw heritage, his work in Indian Country, mental health, football and esports, as well as family and his recent diagnosis with early-onset Parkinson’s disease—and how that diagnosis is influencing his life, priorities and work today.
In the afternoon, attend one of three forums from 1:30-2:15pm: Nation Building & Tribal Economic Development; Infrastructure Nation: Construction – Stacking Wins in Indian Country, a model for Winning; or Position Your Business for Growth and Building Capacity; and from 2:25-3:10pm: Powering Sovereignty: Energy & Sustainability; Indigenous Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Healthcare; or Cannabis & Indigenous Wellness.
Then, check out General Session III, Break on Through to the Other Side, an Open Discussion on Prediction Markets, Mobile Sports Betting, & The Future of Gaming with Lambert Cleveland of Ho-Chunk Nation, Jon Greendeer of IGA, Chairman David Bean, Dominic Ortiz and other Tribal leaders.
From 4-4:40pm, attend a Tribal Leadership Discussion with Tribal leaders and elected officials, including Ken George Jr., Chairwoman Melinda Yaiva, Red Cliff Chairwoman Nicole Boyd and Maia Kegley of SCC Mole Lake Council.
Monday evening brings an Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration with a Hoan Bridge Lighting Ceremony to recognize Indigenous visibility in Milwaukee; and Indigenous Rising Reception sponsored by Potawatomi Casino with lively entertainment by Supaman.
Tuesday, Oct. 13: Events resume on Tuesday with a welcome and keynote speech by Chris James of NCAIED and lightning talk by Philomena Kebec on Public Law 280.
Then, attend a Reframe and Refocus Wellness Session by Serena Cisneros (Steph Taylor) from 10:15-10:30.
General Sessions begin for the day with Innovation Across Indian Country – Data Centers, AI, Tech, Sustainability featuring speakers Jeff Johnson of PV, Crystal Chevalier of Wolf River Development, Isaiah Ness of SunBear and moderator Samantha Skenandore.
Then, attend one of three forums from 11:15am to noon: Native Business Certifications and the Future of Procurement: Media, Film & Indigenous Storytelling; or Manufacturing, Trade & Supply Chains- Global Supply Logistics.
Enjoy a Lunch Fireside Chat on Storytelling, Film & the Indigenous Renaissance featuring Jhane Myers, Supaman, Gary Farmer, Jana Schmeidling, moderator Chance Rush and invited leaders from Indigenous film, media, communications and the creative economy.
Then, choose another forum from 1:45-2:30pm, between Food Sovereignty, Agriculture & Natural Resources; Workforce, Skilled Trades & Next Generation Leadership; and Partnerships for the Future.
General Sessions will close with The Indigenous Renaissance Continues – Wunksheek – UW Madison with Carla Vigue and Miinan White, a conference-wide conversation connecting the themes and opportunities from all four Renaissance forum rounds.
Finally, bid farewell to Indigenous Biz Con V with the Indigenous Business Awards Reception from 6-6:45pm and the Indigenous Business Awards Gala from 7-9pm.
Conference-Wide Activations
During Indigenous Biz Con V, guests can visit the Indigenous Marketplace and Artisan Village, enjoy a live Indigenous art installation, mingle in the Business Matchmaking Lounge, participate in the Native Business Pitch Competition and experience other conference-wide activations.
See the full lineup of events HERE. If you would like to attend Indigenous Biz Con, or if you are interested in sponsorship or speaking opportunities, more information can be found online at indigenousbusinessgroup.org and via phone at 920-371-8368.