Description

🏆 Thank You to Our Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor: T-Fiber

Gold Sponsor: Daily Camera & Yellowscene Magazine 

SUBMIT A QUESTION

EVENT OVERVIEW

Join us for a dynamic morning of conversation with local media leaders, marketing experts, and Chamber professionals as we dive into how small businesses can effectively share their stories, leverage advertising and AI, and maximize marketing through the Chamber.

Event Schedule:

8:30 AM — Check-in & Coffee

Doors open for attendee check-in and networking

9:00–9:50 AM — Meet the Newsroom Panel
Learn how to connect with local media, pitch your stories, and understand what makes your news stand out.
Moderator: Al Manzi

9:50–10:10 AM — Break

10:15–11:00 AM — Advertising, Marketing & AI Panel
Explore the digital marketing landscape, learn how AI is transforming marketing, and discover how to maximize your ROI.
Moderator: Al Manzi

11:20–11:30 AM — Leveraging Your Chamber for Marketing
Chamber leaders share how membership helps businesses amplify their reach and connect locally.
Speakers: Katey McNeil (Lafayette Chamber) & Gillian Millar (Louisville Chamber)

11:30 AM–12:00 PM — Networking
Meet media panelists, marketing experts, and fellow business owners to continue the conversation.

Moderator

Albert Manzi
Publisher Emeritus, Prairie Mountain Media
Albert Manzi is the retired CEO and Publisher of Prairie Mountain Publishing and the Daily Camera. With over 40 years in media leadership, he continues to serve as Publisher Emeritus, sits on editorial and finance boards, and remains an active mentor and advocate for Colorado journalism.

PANELISTS

Meet the Newsroom Panel

John Vahlenkamp
Regional Editor, Prairie Mountain Media
Oversees major Colorado publications including Daily Camera and Times-Call. A 30+ year journalism veteran committed to impactful local news.

Shavonne Blades
Publisher, Yellow Scene Magazine
Founder of Yellow Scene, independent community journalist, and advocate for authentic storytelling with 30+ years of experience.

Lucas High
Managing Editor, BizWest
Leads regional business coverage for Northern Colorado as BizWest's Managing Editor, with prior experience at the Daily Camera and Longmont Times-Call.

Advertising, Marketing & AI Panel

Scott Leith
Owner, WSI Digital Marketing
Expert in AI-driven marketing solutions, with 25+ years in business leadership and digital strategy development.

Jim Greco
Owner, NoCo Community AdSpace
Specialist in digital billboard marketing and data-driven advertising with 25+ years in analytics.

Marcie Lord
Founder, Digital Dynamo LLC
Delivers high-impact, data-driven marketing systems for small businesses, drawing on 18+ years of experience in SEO, content, and analytics.

Jeanine Fritz
Advertising Manager, Prairie Mountain Media
Leads advertising efforts across several Colorado publications and brings deep expertise in local print and digital ad strategy.

PANELISTS + FULL BIOS

Meet the Newsroom Panel

John Vahlenkamp
Regional Editor, Prairie Mountain Media
John Vahlenkamp oversees editorial operations for several leading Colorado publications, including the Daily Camera, Longmont Times-Call, and Colorado Hometown Weekly. With more than 30 years of journalism experience, he has guided newsrooms to deliver impactful local journalism. John began at the Longmont Times-Call in 2004 and became Regional Editor in 2024. He holds a journalism degree from the University of North Texas and has earned multiple state and national awards for his work.

Shavonne Blades
Publisher, Yellow Scene Magazine
Shavonne Blades founded Yellow Scene Magazine in 2000 after working for alternative weeklies and developing her passion for independent media. With over 30 years of experience in design, copywriting, and marketing, she believes in true community journalism and has never compromised journalistic integrity. YS continues to publish monthly print editions and digital content.

Lucas High
Managing Editor, BizWest
Lucas High is the Managing Editor at BizWest, where he leads coverage of regional business news across Northern Colorado. He previously reported for the Daily Camera and Longmont Times-Call and has also covered government and policy for newspapers in South Carolina, Wyoming, and Maryland. A Maryland native, Lucas holds a journalism degree from the University of Maryland.

Advertising, Marketing & AI Panel

Scott Leith
Owner, WSI Digital Marketing
Scott Leith leads a full-service digital marketing firm specializing in AI integration. With over 25 years of experience across multiple industries, including founding and selling businesses, he helps small businesses leverage AI, SEO, paid media, and content marketing to grow their presence and efficiency.

Jim Greco
Owner, NoCo Community AdSpace
Jim Greco founded NoCo Community AdSpace to help local businesses reach audiences through digital billboards in everyday locations. Previously, he held senior roles in marketing research and analytics at Oracle and Nielsen, bringing over 25 years of expertise in media measurement and strategy.

Jeanine Fritz
Advertising Manager, Prairie Mountain Media
Jeanine Fritz manages advertising for publications such as the Daily Camera and Longmont Times-Call. With over 25 years in publishing, she is a leader in delivering effective local advertising strategies and building strong client relationships.

Marcie Lord
Digital Marketing Strategist & Founder, Digital Dynamo LLC
Marcie Lord is a full-stack digital marketing strategist with over 18 years of experience in SEO, paid media, web development, and analytics. She founded Digital Dynamo to help small and midsize businesses implement enterprise-level marketing strategies. Her work has delivered 400%+ ROI and helped clients surpass national brands in competitive search spaces.

.................................................................................................................................................................................

CHAMBER REPRESENTATIVES

Katey McNeil
Executive Director, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
Katey McNeil leads initiatives supporting Lafayette businesses, focusing on advocacy, networking, and local promotion. She brings a collaborative approach to fostering economic growth and helping businesses connect through Chamber programming.

Gillian Millar
Executive Director, Louisville Chamber of Commerce
Gillian Millar champions Louisville’s business community through advocacy, member marketing, and creating programs that connect and promote local businesses. Her focus is on community-first leadership and supporting local economic vitality.

.................................................................................................................................................................................

MODERATOR

ALBERT J. MANZI 

Albert J. Manzi is President and Publisher of the Daily Camera and President and CEO for Prairie Mountain Publishing Company.

Education B.S. in Business Administration, Bloomsburg University, December 1980

Started newspaper career at Times-Leader Newspaper in early 1983.  Worked in the circulation department serving as customer service manager, home delivery manager, single copy manager, and assistant circulation director and in 1986, circulation director, a post held until 1995.  Daily circulation increased from 20,000 copies to over 51,000. 

In 1995, promoted to Vice President of Operations.  Oversaw the installation of a $15 million printing facility and the start-up of the first Man-Roland Geo-Man press in the nation.

In 1997, named one of the nation’s top young newspaper executives by Presstime Magazine.

In 1998, promoted to Vice President of Marketing.  During his tenure, the Times Leader set new revenue, circulation and profit records.

In December 1999, recruited by the Pulitzer Company, owners of the Provo Utah Daily Herald, as General Manager.  Over the next three years, Al and his team made several strategic purchases of weekly papers, HomeChoice Magazine and converted the home delivered Shopper to mail delivery.

Named CEO, President and Publisher in February of 2003.  The management team he assembled established the Daily Herald Publishing Company as a vibrant, fast growing company and a recognized community leader.  Named 2004 Business Person of the Year by Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce.

Named President and CEO of Prairie Mountain Publishing and Publisher of The Camera in July 2006.  Prairie Mountain Publishing was comprised 11 newspapers and websites in Colorado, including The Camera, The Colorado Daily, Broomfield Enterprise and the Eastern Colorado Publishing group.  Later in 2011, PMM purchased the Lehman Publishing group that included the Longmont Times-Call, the Loveland Reporter-Herald, Canon City Daily Record and the Hometown Weekly, along with a state of the art printing facility in Berthoud Colorado.

Later PMM purchased the Canon City Shopper, the South Platte Sentinel and finally the Greeley Tribune in 2020.

Al ended his 40 plus year media career with his retirement in July 2023.  He currently serves as a member of the finance committee for the Colorado Press Association and on the Broomfield Chamber Board of Directors.

Tons of non profit support through the years, United Way, Boulder Chamber, I have a dream of Boulder County etc.

Manzi lives in Broomfield with his wonderful and supportive wife, Ann Marie, his son Jeremey and two cats, Chloe and Monster.