The Detroit Pistons are suiting up for more than basketball this week; they’re making a full-court press for Detroit’s entrepreneurial spirit.
In celebration of Small Business Month, the Pistons, in partnership with Amazon, will host the third annual SHOP313 Small Business Summit on Wednesday, May 14, at the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center. This year’s summit promises to be the most dynamic yet, drawing 120 of the region’s most driven entrepreneurs, small business owners, and startup founders for a high-impact afternoon of learning, networking, and collaboration.
Launched in 2021, SHOP313 is the Pistons’ flagship initiative for small business empowerment, part think tank, part networking hub, and wholly dedicated to the Motor City’s homegrown talent. With support from Amazon and Comerica, SHOP313 has grown into an award-winning platform that has earned the NBA’s Partnership of the Year Award and the admiration of Detroit’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The summit kicks off at 1 p.m. and runs through 5:30 p.m., offering attendees a behind-the-scenes look at best practices for scaling small businesses. From storytelling and brand positioning to leveraging e-commerce platforms like Amazon, the day’s programming is packed with actionable insights.
Key speakers at the summit include Ian Conyers, Senior Manager of Community Engagement at Amazon in Detroit; Rich Green, Senior Business Development Manager at Amazon Web Services; Bilal Saeed, Vice President of Brand and marketing Strategy for the Detroit Pistons; David Sanabria, Vice President of Partnership Engagement for the Pistons; and Marissa Rickman, Senior Director of Brand and marketing Strategy for the Pistons.
The summit is divided into three core sessions and will culminate in a powerhouse panel featuring thought leaders from Amazon, Comerica, Andreessen Horowitz’s TxO initiative (a fund supporting underrepresented founders), and the Pistons. A networking session and happy hour will follow, offering founders a relaxed setting to build community and share ideas.
In addition to industry insights, attendees will enjoy a rare perk: professional marketing photography to help sharpen their visual branding, a critical asset in today’s digital marketplace.
For the Pistons and Amazon, this summit is more than a one-day event; it’s a long-term commitment to driving economic opportunity from the ground up in Detroit.
Event Details
Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center
Wednesday, May 14, 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
For more information or to register your business, visit: https://forms.pistons.com/1564
Note: Participation is limited to the first 120 businesses, and registration is required.
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