6TH ANNUAL
Common Ground. Common Good.
Commonwealth.

Canopy Good Business Summit

Join us on October 29, 2026

Education, connection, and unique participation opportunities — Canopy's marquee event of the year. Members receive discounted tickets and sponsorship pricing.

PRESENTED BY
ABOUT THE SUMMIT

The Good Business Summit is Kentucky’s premier gathering of business, nonprofit, education, and civic leaders who believe strong communities build stronger businesses. Hosted by Canopy KY, the Summit brings together approximately 500 leaders from across the Commonwealth for a day of practical learning, meaningful conversation, and inspiring stories that challenge us to think differently about leadership, business, and community.

This year’s theme, Common Ground. Common Good. Commonwealth., explores how Kentucky leaders can work across differences, build trust, and use business as a force for good. At a time when division can feel easier than connection, the Summit will create space for honest conversations, new relationships, and practical ideas that move our workplaces and communities forward.

Get tickets
Get tickets
VENUE

Kentucky International Convention Center

221 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202
Kentucky International Convention Center exterior
Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC)
221 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202
Commonwealth Garage
313 S 4th St — parking
Cowger Garage
329 W Market St — parking
ZERO WASTE

We are striving to make the Canopy Good Business Summit a zero-waste event with the goal of 90%+ waste diversion.

Here's how you can help:
Carry-in, carry-out
Bring your own reusable water bottle
Minimize the waste you bring
Single-use plastic water bottles, etc.
Recycle & compost at our zero-waste stations
Cover your waste
Add a $5 donation when you purchase a ticket.
FEATURED PANEL · 9:10 – 9:50 AM

Commonwealth: Built Here, Building Kentucky Panel

What does it mean for a business to be truly rooted in Kentucky? This conversation brings together leaders from three distinctly Kentucky enterprises to explore how their organizations' growth, operating decisions and long-term ambitions are shaped by a commitment to the Commonwealth.

The discussion will move beyond broad statements about corporate responsibility and focus on the choices that affect the quality of life and the physical, economic and social landscapes of Kentucky. Panelists will consider workforce opportunity, community investment, infrastructure, responsible growth, environmental stewardship, regional identity and the role large employers can play in helping Kentucky become a place where more people can build meaningful lives.

Panelists: 
Ellen McGeeney, CEO of Ale-8-One
Chris Ratterman, CEO and Founder of Shady Rays

Meaning, Momentum, Margin featured panel
FEATURED PANEL · 1:35 – 2:35 PM

Common Ground: Bridging Kentucky's Urban and Rural Divide Panel

Kentucky is often described through divides: urban and rural, east and west, Louisville and Appalachia. Those labels can obscure how deeply the Commonwealth's communities depend on one another for talent, markets, infrastructure, tourism, culture and economic opportunity.

This business-centered conversation will examine the real and perceived barriers between Kentucky's urban, rural and Appalachian communities and the practical role employers can play in breaking them down. Panelists will share examples of reciprocal partnership, regional investment and relationship-building that move resources and opportunity in both directions.

The goal is not to erase regional differences, but to show how businesses can help Kentucky communities understand one another, solve shared problems and succeed together.

Meaning, Momentum, Margin featured panel
AGENDA

October 29, 2026

Time
Session
All Day
Mission Marketplace
8:30 - 9:00 AM
Doors Open - Coffee & Networking
9:00 AM
Welcome & Event Kickoff
9:10 AM
Commonwealth: Built Here, Building Kentucky Panel
9:50 AM
Canopy Impact Awards presented by JPMorgan Chase Bank
10:05 AM
Breakout Sessions #1
11:00 AM
Breakout Sessions #2
11:40 AM
Lunch is Served
12:10 PM
Common Good: Featured Speaker
12:50 PM
Awards Presented by JPMorgan Chase Bank
1:05 PM
Break
1:35 PM
Common Ground: Bridging Kentucky's Urban and Rural Divide Panel
2:35 PM
Closing Remarks
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Happy Hour & Networking
BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Choose your room.

Joy as a Start-Up Strategy
Leadership
Creating Cultures of Belonging: Leading Through Difference
Numbers Don't Lie
Mentorship
Five Generations, One Workforce: Cross-Generational Mentoring in Action
Where Joy Works
Conflict Resolution
Healthy Disagreement at Work: Conflict as a Leadership Skill
Designing Joy
collaboration
Kentucky Bridge Builders: Common Ground in Action
Rise & Nourish
Environment
The Land We Share: Finding Common Ground in KY's Landscapes
The Promise in Our Youth
Storytelling
Stories That Move Communities: A Kentucky Story Showcase
Mapping Joy
Students
Business Beyond Profit Student Showcase: The NextGen Defines Good Business
Turning Barriers Into Breakthroughs
Internships
What Interns Want: Creating Value for Kentucky's Workforce Pipieline
Joyful Networking
Tech
Innovation in Unexpected Places: KY Tech Beyond the Usual Hubs
Rooted in Joy
Entrepreneurship
Capital for the Commonwealth: Building an Economy Where Entrepreneurs Can Start, Grow and Stay
Moving Burnout Towards Joy
Media
Beyond the Headlines: How Local Media Builds a Stronger Kentucky
A Joyful Downtown
AI
AI, Humanity and the Future of Work: Keeping Work Human
Mission Marketplace at the Canopy Good Business Summit
ALL DAY

Mission Marketplace

The Mission Marketplace is a gathering of businesses and organizations committed to making community impact through their efforts.

Attendees will find businesses that they can feel good about supporting and/or working with and community organizations that are able to help them make a difference.

Tables are available to reserve and are first come, first serve.

IMPACT AWARDS

Impact Awards

Canopy will honor four recipients for their commitment to positively impacting Kentucky's communities and landscapes. Want to nominate a Kentucky leader or company to be considered for this year's Awards? Complete the appropriate nomination form by October 1, 2026.

The Bluegrass Steward Award
This honor recognizes a Kentucky-based company whose work extends beyond the balance sheet to the heartbeat of its home. Recipients demonstrate a deep commitment to the vitality and resilience of Kentucky's neighborhoods, communities, and cities — nurturing not only people, but also the places they call home.

Special consideration is given to organizations that show foresight in preserving the health of Kentucky's shared resources — its air, land, and water — through thoughtful, sustainable practices that strengthen community well-being.
Submit your nominations
Submit your nominations
The Bluegrass Caretaker Award
Awarded to an established individual leader working within or along-side businesses who embodies care in action—tending to economic prosperity, people, culture, and community with intention and integrity. This leader understands that the true measure of success is the health of the ecosystem around them: businesses that thrive, employees who flourish, neighborhoods that grow stronger, and progress that leaves no one behind.

The recipient’s leadership protects what’s lasting—ensuring that prosperity uplifts rather than exhausts the Commonwealth’s shared foundation. Eligible leaders include executives of for-profit enterprises and civic or nonprofit partners who measurably advance Kentucky’s business vitality.
Submit your nominations
Submit your nominations
The Canopy Rising Award
Celebrating Kentucky’s next generation of changemakers—businesses or leaders just beginning to cast long shadows. These recipients embody the promise of a new business ethos: one rooted in opportunity, empathy, and renewal. Their work already shows the quiet beginnings of something transformative—growth that gives back.
Submit your nominations
Submit your nominations
Previous Award Recipients
Logan Aluminum accepting the Top Impact Company award
Logan Aluminum
Top Impact Company
Conrad Daniels accepting the Top Impact Leader award
Condrad Daniels
Top Impact Leader
NASCEND, PBC accepting the Social Impact award
NASCEND, PBC
Social Impact
Black Soil KY accepting the Social Impact award
Black Soil KY
Social Impact
Maker's Mark accepting the Environmental Impact award
Maker’s Mark
Environmental Impact
KFI Studios accepting the Environmental Impact award
KFI Studios
Environmental Impact
KFI Studios accepting the Environmental Impact award
JK McKnight
Canopy Rising
KFI Studios accepting the Environmental Impact award
Jennifer Hancock
Bluegrass Caretaker
KFI Studios accepting the Environmental Impact award
Chris Ratterman
Bluegrass Caretaker
KFI Studios accepting the Environmental Impact award
Ale-8-One
Bluegrass Steward
KFI Studios accepting the Environmental Impact award
Revelry Gallery
Social Impact
KFI Studios accepting the Environmental Impact award
MiddleGround Capital
Top Impact Company
KFI Studios accepting the Environmental Impact award
Greg Baker
Top Impact Leader
KFI Studios accepting the Environmental Impact award
Edelen Renewables
Environmental Impact
SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Thanks to our sponsors and partners.

Presenting
Canopy Impact Awards
Featured Speaker
Breakout Session
Table
Happy Hour
Zero Waste
Mission Marketplace
Media
High School Student
Contributing
Entertainment
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

Interested in promoting your business at CGBS?

Your support helps us bring our events to life and expand our impact in the community. We offer sponsorship opportunities with recognition benefits for partners at every level. Interested? We'd love to talk.

Level
What's included
Presenting
$30,000
1 AVAILABLE
• Topline recognition as “Canopy's 6th Annual Good Business Summit” presented by…
• Participation in event press conference and other media
• Company logo on event website and signage
• Event welcoming speaking moment
• Company logo display on invitation, signage, and A/V
• Company logo on website and online promotions
• Exhibitor table at Good Business Marketplace
• 2 primary placement guest table (16 complimentary tickets)
NextGen Good Biz Student Superstar
$17,500
1 AVAILABLE
• Participation in event press conference and other media
• Exclusive participation in the event press conference and all official media opportunities.
• Event speaking opportunity (3-5min) to introduce our selected “Student Superstar”. Company representative(s) will present the award to the student and, alongsideCanopy representatives, a monetary award for the student’s educational pursuits.
• $2,500 of the company sponsorship funds will contribute to the award.
• Company logo display on invitation, signage, and A/V
• Company logo on website and online promotions
• Exhibitor table at Good Business Marketplace
• 1 primary placement guest table (8 complimentary tickets)
Featured Speaker
$15,000
• Recognition as “Featured Speaker Sponsor”
• Company name and sponsorship level included in event press release and all media
• Event speaking opportunity
• Company logo on website and online promotions
• Company logo display on invitation, signage, and A/V
• Exhibitor table at Mission Marketplace
• 4 complimentary tickets
Breakout Session
$3,000
• Recognition as “Breakout Session Sponsor”
• Company logo on website and online promotions
• Company logo display on invitation, signage, and A/V
• Breakout session event speaking opportunity
• 2 complimentary tickets
Business Beyond Profit Break-Out Session
$3,000
• Each year, 3 outstanding students are selected to share their experiences with the Canopy Business Beyond Profit Curriculum in a breakout session during the event. Students will share their views on what they will look for in an employer and/or the type of business they would like to create.
• Recognition as “Breakout Session Sponsor”
• Serve as moderator for the panel
• Company logo on website and online promotions
• Company logo display on invitation, signage, and A/V
• 2 complimentary tickets
Table
$2,000
• Recognition as “Table Sponsor”
• Company logo on website and online promotions
• Company logo featured on table display
• 1 guest table (8 complimentary tickets)
• Preferred table placement
Community
$500 – $2,500
• Happy Hour Networking Sponsor
• Zero Waste Sponsor
• Mission Marketplace Sponsor
• High School Student Sponsor
• Contributing Sponsor
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR
Canopy Good Business Summit 2024 highlight
Canopy Good Business Summit 2024 highlight
Canopy Good Business Summit 2024 highlight
Canopy Good Business Summit 2024 highlight
Canopy Good Business Summit 2024 highlight
Canopy Good Business Summit 2024 highlight
Canopy Good Business Summit 2024 highlight
Canopy Good Business Summit 2024 highlight
Canopy Good Business Summit 2024 highlight
Canopy Good Business Summit 2024 highlight
Canopy Good Business Summit 2024 highlight
Canopy Good Business Summit 2024 highlight