Community + Business Lens on Childcare Solutions
Date and time
September 21st - 22nd, 2023
Cost
Location
​McCrory Gardens Education & Visitor Center
Brookings, South Dakota
Map and location details
Early Bird Special: $18 - ending soon!
Regular Price: $25
If you would like to attend this event and in need of a scholarship, please email info@earlylearnersd.org.
About the Event
Please join us for our 2023 Early Learner South Dakota Annual Summit in Brookings, South Dakota! The two day summit agenda will include valuable discussions on early childhood education in South Dakota, business solutions, sustainability updates, and networking opportunities.
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If you would like to attend this event and in need of a scholarship, please email info@earlylearnersd.org.
Thank you to our Event Sponsors!
About the Event Venue
McCrory Gardens Education & Visitor Center
McCrory Gardens is a botanical garden and arboretum operated and maintained by South Dakota State University.
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McCrory Gardens has over 25 acres of formal display gardens and 45 acres of arboretum featuring hundreds of different flowers, trees, shrubs and grasses in harmonious settings to display, educate and further the development of new varieties.
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Lodging Accomodations
The following hotels have agreed to offer special rates to Summit Attendees!
Please make your reservations ASAP to ensure you receive the special rate.
Super 8 Motel
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3034 Lefevre Drive
605-692-6920
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Pricing:
Thursday 21st- $89+ tax
Friday 22nd- $119+ tax
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Booking Directions:
Call and mention you are booking for the Early Learner Summit
Quality Inn Brookings University
514 Sunrise Ridge Rd
605-692-9566
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Pricing:
Thursday 21st- $89+ tax
Friday 22nd- $119+ tax
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Booking Directions:
Call and mention you are booking for the Early Learner Summit
Holiday Inn Express and Suites - Brookings
3020 Lefevre Drive
605-692-9060
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Booking Directions:
Click the button below
Hampton Inn and Suites Brookings
3017 Lefevre Drive
605-697-5232
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Booking Directions:
Click the button below
Keynote Speakers
Aaron Merchen
Senior Director, Policy & Programs, Early Childhood Education, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The Early Childhood and Business Advisory Council will bring together local chambers of commerce with key stakeholders, including state and local early childhood advocates, business owners, and state administrators, to drive progress in communities where significant barriers to child care exist. He will also speak to how South Dakota has been chosen to participate in a second cohort and continue the business collaborative work within the state.
Nancy Fishman
National Director
ReadyNation
Nancy will share how ReadyNation serves and helps with existing child care efforts in South Dakota, and will also share a special child care report they are releasing.
About ReadyNation: ReadyNation leverages the experience, influence, and expertise of more than 2,000 business executives to promote public policies and programs that build a stronger workforce and economy. Since 2006, ReadyNation members have made a bottom-line case for effective, bipartisan investments in children as the future workforce that will drive success in the global marketplace.
Joe Fretwell
Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) Business Development Program Officer, Early Care & Education
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What makes child care a difficult business model in South Dakota?
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Results of scenarios and modeling: Joe will provide an overview of data collected from South Dakota providers and give a presentation of findings around what providers can afford currently vs. what they might be able to afford with policy changes
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Policy recommendations: which will include state subsidy rates, economic development activities, local investments, and more
Agenda
September 21st​​
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
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Welcome & ELSD History and Accomplishments
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Keynote Speaker: Nancy Fishman, National Director, Ready Nation​
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Child Care Community Solutions Updates
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Child Care Taskforce Updates
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Keynote Speaker: Joe Fretwell, Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) Business Development Program Officer, Early Care & Education
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Expert Round Table Discussion
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Closing Remarks
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5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Networking Event with Hors D’oeurves and bar
All participants will receive one free drink ticket for participation in the summit
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September 22nd​​
8:30 a.m. - Noon
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Early Learner Community Updates
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SD Community Foundation Grant
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Navigator Process
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Pilot Communities
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Business Collaborative and Community Updates
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​Brookings Pilot for the Early Learning Communities Assessment Tool
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Keynote Speaker: Aaron Merchen, Senior Director, Policy & Programs, Early Childhood Education, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
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Huron Community Video + Panel
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A special announcement from Early Learner Rapid City
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Closing Remarks
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Sponsorship
Being a sponsor of the Early Learner Summit showcases that your company values the investment of our children's educational future. Please fill out our form by clicking the button below to indicate your sponsorship level interest. Deadline for accepting sponsors is September 1, 2023.
Early Learner Friend
$250
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1 registration ticket
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1 drink ticket
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Name on our thank you to our sponsors presentation
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Name on our Early Learner Summit page
Early Learner Supporter
$500
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2 registration tickets
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2 drink tickets
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Small Logo on our thank you to our sponsors presentation
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Small logo on our event landing page
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Paragraph highlighting your business on our Early Learner Summit page
Signature Sponsor
$1,000
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2-3 minute speaking opportunity during event
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2 registration tickets
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2 drink tickets
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Large logo on our event landing page
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Large logo on our thank you to our sponsors presentation
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May bring swag items to summit
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May have one flyer & brochure at event
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Paragraph highlighting your business on our Early Learner Summit page
Thank you to our Event Sponsors!
Signature Sponsor
Coeur Wharf is an open pit, heap leach gold operation located in the northern Black Hills of western South Dakota. The property consists of several areas of gold mineralization, which have been mined as a series of open pits. The Wharf mine is located approximately four miles southwest of Lead, South Dakota, and is the only known mining operation to share a hillside with a ski hill, Terry Peak ski resort.
Early Learner Supporter
Brookings Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is the primary engine for promoting economic growth in Brookings, South Dakota and the surrounding area. BEDC serves as an advocate for the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to succeed by taking advantage of the area's unique and progressive business environment.
First Bank & Trust began with a small-town vision. In 1880, Brookings, South Dakota entrepreneur Horace Fishback saw a need to serve a growing community with banking services. Today, First Bank & Trust serves 17 thriving communities in South Dakota and Minnesota with 22 bank locations.
The Children’s Museum of South Dakota sparks imagination for all children and their grown-ups through play, creativity, and discovery. We promote learning for children of all ages and abilities through interactive, informal, hands-on exhibits ranging from a 2-story cloud climber to a farm where guests can plant, harvest, and sell produce.
Early Learner Friend