2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
KEYNOTE: James Croom, Head of Marketing, Google My Business, AdWords Express, Google
Engaging SMBs; Helping Them Get Found
More SMBs are digitally enabled than ever before. BIA/Kelsey data shows more than 60 percent of SMBs now have a website. Many SMBs also have a presence with landing pages, social media and video. But what are the next steps for boosting SMB penetration and engagement? This is the task assigned to Google’s James Croom. Croom will share Google’s insights into getting SMBs really started with digital services, features and marketing.

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
KEYNOTE: Julien Billot, President and CEO, YPG
Optimizing the Organization for SMB Sales and Engagement
YPG, Canada’s leading directory and local search player, has been at the forefront of organizational and technology change as it works to meet – and anticipate -- the needs of Canada’s SMBs. New CEO Julien Billot will discuss YPG’s key initiatives and insights into the marketplace during this keynote address.

3:30 pm - 4:15 pm
The Insider View: Sales Reps on Sales Transformation
The transformation of local sales organizations is probably the largest topic we face as an industry. What are the challenges involved in sales transformation? What is really involved? What are the costs of failure or taking “half measures?” We’ll focus on organizational and strategic challenges during this key session, with a leading industry strategist, and also engage in revealing, critical discussions with local sales reps.

4:15 pm - 4:45 pm
SMBs On Stage with Yelp: What Works in Digital Marketing?
What do SMBs have to say about digital marketing? Where are they seeing the greatest ROI? Where are they shifting ad budgets? For instance, is Instagram really being adopted by SMBs? In partnership with Yelp, we’ve invited several New Orleans SMBs to talk about their digital experiences and expectations.

4:45 pm - 5:30 pm
SMB Demos and Drinks
A demo is worth a thousand words. After a full day of panels and presentations, this is the chance to sit back, enjoy some New Orleans’ Abita beer, and take in some live product walkthroughs. We’ll stay true to the term “demo” in this PowerPoint-free zone.

8:30 am – 8:45 am
BIA/Kelsey Conference Report Card: The Takeaways
BIA/Kelsey CEO Tom Buono will be joined by a special guest to review Day 1 of LEADING IN LOCAL: SMB Digital Media, and give a “smart preview” of Day 2 sessions.
Tom Buono, CEO, BIA/Kelsey

8:45 am - 9:15 am
KEYNOTE: Sharon Rowlands, CEO, ReachLocal
Elevating the SMB Digital Marketing Industry
ReachLocal’s new CEO Sharon Rowlands is set to transform the local SMB sales pioneer, which now has 23,000+ clients around the world. We’ll hear Rowland’s perspective on needs of local businesses, her vision for the digital marketing industry, and ReachLocal’s role in shaping that vision.

9:15 am - 10:15 am
Cultivating SMB Success: Close-up On SMB Growth Engines
SMBs can grow like mushrooms when they are properly nurtured with the right information, data, partnerships, resources and capital. We take a special look at leading SMB growth engine efforts from Sprint, ForwardLine and bizHive and The Idea Village during this special session.

10:45 am - 11:15 am
KEYNOTE: Scott Howe, President and CEO, Acxiom
The SMB Partnership with Big Data
Acxiom is one of the world’s largest database companies and listings leaders. Now it is being led by Scott Howe, the longtime advertising leader well-known for his work with Microsoft and aQuantive. One of Howe’s top goals: to make Acxiom’s databases and analytics indispensable for local marketers. Howe, a noted speaker, will share his insights during this important keynote address.

11:15 am – 12:00 pm
Smart Data: Bringing the Power of Big Data to Small Biz
For all the talk about “big data,” very little has been said about applying it to SMBs. Most of the talk is geared around global marketing giants. Can big data make SMBs better informed, more targeted, better competitors, and highly strategic? We’ll talk to leaders during this key session.

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm
#NewParadigm: Social Media’s Shift of SMB Marketing & Commerce
Social networks have changed the way consumers use media. And SMBs, as well. But social media has also been a ‘frenemy’ to digital marketing solution providers for SMBs. While it has enhanced engagement and usage, it has also competed with traditional solutions. Gain insights into the best ways to leverage social media from several of the industry’s top leaders. We’ll kick off with Facebook’s Joseph Devoy, and then hear from social media leaders from Main Street Hub, SOCI Media, and PromoJam.

2:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Leveling the Playing Field for SMB Retail Promotions
When it comes to search, promotion, customer engagement and just getting found, the challenge for smaller retailers is to level the playing field with larger players (i.e., Macy's, Kohl's, Sears). That's become a core focus for Wanderful Media COO Doug Kilponen and the company's 500 newspaper partners around the U.S. Kilponen, a former MerchantCircle leader will highlight new initiatives and insights into SMB retail behavior.

2:15 pm - 2:45 pm
SMBs and New Revenues from Scheduling, Back Office Integration
SMBs have always been asked to focus on advertising. But their real needs have been to merge marketing with scheduling, promotions, payments and other “back office” features. Now they have an opportunity to receive comprehensive, synergistic services as several companies offer new options – with excellent results.

3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
KEYNOTE: Dan Roarty, VP, Local Products, Groupon
Groupon's New Marketplace: 'Anytime Anywhere'
What's next for Groupon and its 52 million global customers? The deals leader has evolved from email-centric daily deals to a comprehensive marketplace, selling everything from restaurant discounts to travel deals. Most of its relationships are anytime anywhere. And sales are the highest they've ever been. VP Dan Roarty provides the lowdown into new ways to work with local merchants and consumers.

3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
Brass Tacks: Where is Mobile Actually Working for SMBs?
After all the excitement around mobile and its collision with local, the majority of activity has been with national advertisers that localize their content. But what about the massive long-tail SMB segment? Mobile has moved down-market through the efforts of local innovators, including marketing solutions, and mobile productivity tools for on-the go- SMBs. We’ll spotlight innovation and best practices through visually driven interviews.

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Now in its third year, BIA/Kelsey’s Future Stars program program celebrates innovation in SMB digital marketing. Validated “Future Stars” will join a team of expert judges on stage during this session to discuss their solutions and answer probing questions about their value propositions and future plans. At the conclusion, the judges will select the Future Star “Most Likely to Succeed.” Come and learn about the companies building the next round of SMB Digital marketing.

READ MORE ABOUT THE COMPANIES CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR’S FUTURE STARS PROGRAM.

Women attendees of LEADING IN LOCAL – you’re invited to enjoy some quality networking time that’s all your own. Hear from special guest speakers from Yahoo and Smartreach Digital who will offer their unique perspective on digital marketing. Come and connect with other women in local media and SMB digital marketing. (And, learn more now about Women LEADING IN LOCAL and the opportunities to connect beyond the conference.)
Location: Bolden 2 (2nd floor)

8:30 am - 9:00 am
SMBs and Shifts in Local Search and Discovery
Local search has forever changed SMB advertising. But local search itself has constantly changed, via mapping, video and reviews. Data has become automated as well. What are the important trends in search – and discovery – that will lead to greater results? Search leaders will share their insights into what new directions in local search we can expect in the year ahead.

9:00 am - 9:30 am
KEYNOTE: Del Humenik, COO, Dex Media
Seizing the SMB Opportunity
Dex Media is one of the largest local media players. It has more than $2 billion in total annual revenue and roughly 2,000 local sales professionals. COO Del Humenik runs all SMB-facing operations at Dex, including sales, marketing and technology, giving him an unparalleled perspective on what companies like Dex Media need to do to seize the SMB opportunity.

9:30 am - 10:30 am
Local Media Heavy Hitters: The Renewed Focus on SMBs
Local media companies have refocused on SMBs as a key source of revenue growth. What are some of the best approaches that have been pursued? What kinds of partnerships make sense? We’ll talk to several industry leaders to get their insights.
Additional speakers to be announced

10:45 am - 11:30 am
Beyond Advertising: SMBs, Loyalty and Promotions
For SMBs, it isn’t just advertising anymore. Marketing solutions such as deals, loyalty programs and other promotions have become a key part of the equation, leading to a high percentage of overall sales for many SMBs. We’ll take a deep look at several of the leading “non advertising” solutions, and what makes them tick for SMBs.

11:30 am - 12:00 pm
SUMMARY PANEL: Thought Leaders and Decision Makers
It used to be so easy for SMB marketing; now it is more complicated. But what is ultimately important to SMBs in digital marketing? And what are our leading takeaways from our SMB Digital Marketing event? To sum things up, we’ll put 10 hard questions, to our panel of hand chosen experts.