Each year, the Jim Moran Institute organizes a conference tailored for small business owners, offering a valuable platform for learning, networking, and idea sharing. The event features speakers whose topics are designed to benefit a wide range of entrepreneurs, providing insights and takeaways applicable to all participants.
In addition to the main sessions, breakout workshops allow participants to join smaller, focused groups to explore topics that align with their specific interests. The 2025 Jim Moran Institute Conference will take place June 11–13 at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Introducing our Keynote Speakers!
Charlie Ward, Motivational Speaker, Heisman Trophy Winner, Former NBA Player
Charlie Ward Jr. is a husband, father, mentor, and coach who exemplifies integrity, hard work, and faith. A celebrated two-sport athlete, he made history at Florida State University (FSU) as a standout quarterback and point guard, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading FSU to its first National Championship. Despite his football success, he pursued a career in professional basketball, becoming a first-round NBA draft pick and playing 11 seasons with the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets.
Following his playing career, Charlie transitioned into coaching and mentoring young athletes. As the former head basketball coach at Florida State University High School, he led his team to multiple championships and earned consecutive All-Big Bend Coach of the Year honors. In April 2025, he was named the new head men’s basketball coach at Florida A&M University (FAMU), continuing his commitment to developing young athletes through leadership and mentorship. His leadership, both on and off the court, has made him a sought-after speaker, inspiring audiences worldwide with his “Chalk Talk” keynotes and workshops on perseverance, preparation, and faith.
Beyond sports, Charlie and his wife, Tonja, are passionate about giving back. They founded The Charlie and Tonja Ward Family Foundation, dedicated to supporting youth character development through sports, education, the arts, and wellness, as well as disaster relief initiatives. His incredible journey and impact are chronicled in the biography The Athlete: Greatness, Grace and the Unprecedented Life of Charlie Ward and the ESPN documentary Twice As Nice – The Legend of Charlie Ward. Through his work, Charlie continues to leave a lasting legacy as a coach, mentor, and role model.
Jessica Harvey, CEO of the Guy Harvey Foundation
Jessica Harvey is the CEO of the Guy Harvey Foundation, an organization dedicated to conserving our oceans through marine science research and education. An 11th generation Jamaican, Jessica was raised in the Cayman Islands and grew up traveling with her father, renowned artist and conservationist, Guy Harvey, on fishing and research expeditions around the world. She holds numerous fishing world records, has SCUBA dived on the planet’s most pristine coral reefs and with some of the ocean’s biggest sharks.
Jessica earned her degree in Zoology from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and spent several years working for the Cayman Islands Department of the Environment before joining the Guy Harvey Foundation full-time. As leader of the Guy Harvey Foundation, Jessica Harvey uses her everlasting passion for our oceans to better understand the wonders of the undersea world and engage students and the public in efforts to save our seas.
Ramon Ray, Entrepreneur & Author
Ramon Ray is a serial entrepreneur and small business expert, who is an in-demand thought leader on personal branding as a tool for small business success. He inspires and educates thousands of business owners a year through his articles, podcasts, and in-demand media interviews. He's a contributor to Entrepreneur.com, BlackEnterprise.com and publisher of ZoneofGenius.com.
He is a successful entrepreneur, in-demand, motivational speaker, and event host. Ramon has started 5 businesses and sold 3 of them. Ramon has authored five books, including "Celebrity CEO". Audiences around the world are inspired by his high energy and ability to connect and care.
More Information about the 14th Annual JMI Conference
JAMES MUSEUM OF WESTERN & WILDLIFE ART
The Jim Moran Institute’s 14th annual business leadership conference will be held June 11-13, 2025 at the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg, FL. Through exhibitions and education programs, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art emphasizes the core values of the art that moved Tom and Mary James during their collecting: action, fortitude, heritage and integrity. The James Museum joins the Salvador Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Chihuly Collection and the Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement, among many other institutions, in affirming St. Pete as a sophisticated arts and historic destination for visitors and residents alike.
Address:
150 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
For more information, visit thejamesmuseum.org.
HYATT PLACE ST. PETERSBURG/DOWNTOWN
For reservations, guests may call toll-free 1-888-HYATT-HP (492-8847) and ask for FSU Small Business Leadership Conference rate. They may also visit: Hyatt | Select Room-FSU and enter the dates they would like to stay.
Conference Rate Ends May 12, 2025
Address:
25 2nd Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Introducing the JMI 30 Awards:
Honoring 30 Years of Excellence & Celebrating Growth!
We’re proud to introduce the JMI 30 Awards, a new program inspired by the success of the Seminole 100 awards, which launched in 2018. This milestone initiative spotlights the 30 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by JMI alumni.
Applications are now closed! Applications for the prestigious JMI 30 were due by February 28, 2025, with the grand celebration on June 13, 2025, during the final day of JMI’s Annual Leadership Conference in beautiful St. Pete, Florida.
Thank you to everyone who applied for this year's JMI 30, and if you missed the deadline, we encourage you to stay on the lookout for next year!
The JMI Conference and Award Celebration promises to be an unforgettable event. A festive lunch will set the stage for the unveiling of the 2025 JMI 30 alumni list. Companies will discover their rankings and receive their awards in a moment filled with cheers, applause, and well-deserved recognition.
This event is more than just an awards ceremony; it's a tribute to JMI’s most innovative and successful alumni business leaders and non-profit executives who exemplify the values, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that JMI has championed for three decades.
Wednesday, June 11
5p.m. Welcome Reception (HYBAR, Hyatt Place St. Petersburg)
Thursday, June 12
8 a.m. Registration Check-In & Coffee Networking
9 a.m. Welcome and Opening Keynote
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Workshop Session 1
11:45 a.m. Break
12 p.m. Keynote Luncheon
1:15 p.m. Break
1:30 p.m. Workshop Session 2
3 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. Workshop Session 3
4:45 p.m. Break & Museum Exploration
5 p.m. Reception
7 p.m. Conclude
Friday, June 13
8:30 a.m. Coffee & Networking
9 a.m. General Session A
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Workshop Session 4 or General Session B
11:45 a.m. Break
12 p.m. Closing Keynote & Luncheon (Mesa Ballroom)
1:15 p.m. JMI 30 Awards (Mesa Ballroom)
2 p.m. Wrap-up and Conclude
Business Growth & Strategy
- Adam Taylor – Financial Foundations
- Bob Breslau – Navigating Business Real Estate
- Robin Vernon – Compensation Strategies: Incorporating Growth and Employee Ownership
- Roslyn Rice – Pricing Models for a Successful Business
- Sarah Bolinder – Franchise/Scale Your Business for Replication
Marketing & Branding
- Bryan Oglesby – Get More Customers with (Positive) Consumer Reviews
- Giavona “G” Williams – How to use Marketing Trends to your Advantage
- Moniek James – AI-Powered Content Strategy
AI Panel
Moderator: Bill Lickson
- Alex Oliveira
- Erick Solms
- Kathy Durfee
Culture & Workplace
- Steven Edwards – Workplace Culture
Succession Planning Panel
Moderator: Robin Vernon
- Jamie Klingman
- William Green
We are excited to offer your company an extraordinary opportunity to make connections, increase visibility and get involved at the 14th Annual Jim Moran Institute Conference.
Each sponsorship level provides your company with enhanced benefits, extensive exposure, and many opportunities for networking with entrepreneurs, small business owners, business leaders, corporate decision-makers, business experts and nonprofit leaders.
Thank you to our 2025 Conference Sponsors!
