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Tuesday, Apr 21, 2026 at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PDT
Destination Big Bear, 713 Stocker Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA, 92315, United States
Destination Big Bear, 713 Stocker Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA, 92315, United States.
One day. Hundreds of ideas. Small biz experts. A community ready to support each other.
Elevate is Big Bear Chamber of Commerce's premier gathering for business owenrs, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who are looking to take their businesses to the next level. Join us for the first annual gathering of the mountaintop's most driven professionals for a day packed with inspiring keynotes, hand-on workshops, and the kind of honest, real-world conversations that actually move the needle.
Whether you're looking to sharpen your strategy, find your next collaborator, or simply get together with other people who get it - Elevate is where it happens.
What to expect:
Attendance is free for Chamber members and just $25 for non-members - because access to great ideas and great people shouldn't have a high price tag.
This is your day to think bigger, connect deeper, and leave with the tools to make it happen.
Ryan Rael is the founder of Tight Ship CX, a consulting firm that helps businesses better understand their customers and improve how their operation support the customer experience.
He works with small to midsize businesses to uncover what their customers truly value, their goals, motivations, and pain points, and then helps teams align their processes, communication, and systems around those insights. The result is smoother operations, stronger customer relationships, and more consistent growth.
Ryan has experience across a wide range of industries, from e-commerce and manufacturing to local service-based businesses. His approach focuses on practical, data-informed improvements that are realistic to implement and designed to create lasting impact for both the business and its customers.
Marine Corps veteran and Lean Six Sigma certified, I spent a decade building software for Fortune500 companies and federal agencies: automation frameworks, high-volume email engines that generated millions in sales, and the 202 Census digital platform. Microsoft selected me for their first bootcamp for transitioning service members, which launched my tech career and led to the creation of High Altitude IT.
Visit Big Bear
Nightfall Bookkeeping
Tight Ship CX
Check in at registration and then enjoy a light breakfast and coffee. Browse and chat with vendors, then grab a seat for the keynote!
Treasurer
Big Bear Chamber of Commerce
Speaker TBD
Challenging Assumptions & Uncovering What Customers Actually Value
Founder
Running a small business often means answering the same questions, managing constant emails, and juggling daily operations, especially in a busy tourism community like Big Bear.
This session will show how simple automations and AI assistants can help handle repetitive tasks, improve customer communication, and free up valuable time without adding more work to your day.
We will explore practical examples designed specifically for local businesses such as restaurants, rental shops, independent contractors like plumbing and electrical, short term rental companies, and other service providers. These tools can help manage high call volume, respond to customer inquiries, and filter out low value requests so you can focus on the work that matters most. No technical background required.
We will also briefly cover how these tools can be used responsibly, including options for maintaining privacy when handling sensitive business information.
Owner
High Altitude IT
Interested in being a sponsor? We have opportunities for brand placement, product placement, direct customer engagement, and vendor presentations.
See our sponsorship packages and opportunities!
Contact us to sponsor or create a custom package!
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