Business Summit 2025 connects and educates St. Landry business owners

Business Summit 2025 from the St. Landry Chamber of Commerce served as a February highlight in the St. Landry Parish business community. An annual event, this year’s summit convened on Thursday, February 21 at Our Saviors Church in Opelousas and featured panel discussions, a dynamic keynote, and time to connect and network with fellow business leaders and supporting organizations. St. Landry Economic Development, or SLED, contributed to the event as a presenting sponsor to support entrepreneurship.

Amplifying opportunities with the Business Summit

The St. Landry Chamber of Commerce Business Summit gathered together business, industry, education, finance, and political leaders from St. Landry Parish and the surrounding region. It’s the largest business event of the year, and over several hours, participants exchange ideas, develop new relationships, and learn from panel discussions on relevant topics. Networking at events like the Business Summit is essential for emerging entrepreneurs. At community events, small business owners can forge new connections, locate new business opportunities with other local enterprises, and find new ways to support each other. 

Representatives from area organizations, including SLED, also sponsored booths sharing details on programs, local initiatives, and opportunities to get involved in the community. There are many opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs to access support in St. Landry Parish – from unique grant opportunities to business development classes. Gathering all the supporting organizations for businesses under one roof allows entrepreneurs to gather information from the best sources while making connections to tap as an enterprise grows. 

SLED Executive Director serves as a panelist

Several panel discussions took center stage during the business summit. St. Landry Economic Development Executive Director Bill Rodier participated in a discussion on the Rural Wealth Blueprint: Building Prosperity in Our Communities alongside Rick Urban, CPA; Kip Bertrand, President & CEO, Washington State Bank; and Kevin Guillory, UL Accelerate Program.

A diverse assortment of panel topics touched on relevant themes for business owners from emerging startups to enterprises ready to scale. The decidedly local focus of many discussions ensured audience members could walk away with actionable insights and advice tailored for Louisiana and St. Landry Parish specifically.  These sessions included: Navigating the Louisiana Insurance Landscape: Challenges and Solutions; Rural Business in the Digital Era: Expanding Reach Beyond St. Landry; Building a Healthier Community: Collaboration Across the Medical Industry; Navigating the Talent Gap: Creative Solutions for Workforce Challenges; and Beyond the Sale: Building Community Trust for Long-Term Success. 

“SLED is proud to support the Chamber of Commerce and Business Summit 2025,” Rodier said. “This event allows businesses and local leaders to establish new connections and catch up on recent developments alongside educational sessions curated to help business owners learn and capitalize on new opportunities.” 

Summit hosts Julio Melara as keynote speaker

Julio Melara, president and CEO of Melara Enterprises, served as the keynote speaker for Business Summit 2025. His multi-media company’s portfolio includes multiple business and niche publications, websites, and e-newsletters. Melara is also the founder of Business Report’s Executive Leadership Academy, a program delivering personal development, professional growth, and leadership exposure to advancing professionals and entrepreneurs. 

“Julio Melara is passionate about helping people and organizations seize their full potential,” Lori Dupuis, President and CEO of the St. Landry Chamber of Commerce said in an Instagram reel released before the conference. “He wears many hats in his personal and professional life. He is a lifelong entrepreneur, publisher, and author, and in those roles he has developed many leadership skills critical for his success.”

What’s next for St. Landry small businesses? 

SLED contributed to Business Summit 2025 as a presenting sponsor and will continue its support of events for area businesses throughout the year. Up next, Accelerate St. Landry will provide local entrepreneurs and small business owners with a comprehensive educational program over six weeks in March and April. Participants will receive hands-on support, expert guidance, and more time to foster business relationships while tackling start-up basics and gaining access to ongoing support. 

Ready to learn more about starting a small business in St. Landry Parish? Review local business resources on our website OpportunityStLandry.com or contact St. Landry Economic Development today.