Bite Sized Learning is a professional development series where attendees learn about various topics applicable to entrepreneurs and small businesses, community organizations, and large corporations. Sessions include a light breakfast and beverages; tickets are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis, starting at $10, unless otherwise noted. This event is open to anyone interested in attending, regardless of Chamber membership status. Click the “Register Now” button below to register for individual sessions.
12 PM, Tuesday, September 23* — From Cave Walls to TikTok: The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Storytelling
*This session is free and will be held at noon. Lunch will be provided with registration.
From the bestselling author of "The Hidden Agenda" and the mind behind Mastercard’s iconic ‘Priceless’ campaign comes an engaging perspective on the role of emotional intelligence in storytelling. In the next (free!) Bite Sized Learning session hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Grinnell College's Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership, Dr. Kevin Allen will present "From Cave Walls to TikTok: The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Storytelling." Allen will take us on a journey from humanity’s first stories painted on cave walls to the split-second narratives that dominate social media today.
Drawing on decades of experience in branding, psychology, and narrative design, this talk reveals how empathy, authenticity, and emotional resonance are the timeless forces that drive influence — in classrooms, communities, and culture at large. Whether you’re a professor, a student, or a community member, you’ll walk away with fresh insight into how to craft stories that don’t just inform, but truly connect. This session will begin at noon; lunch will be provided by Grinnell College's Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership. The event will be hosted at the Katherine Howell Weingart '61 Civic Innovation Pavilion in Renfrow Hall at 1033 Broad Street.
8:30 AM, Thursday, November 6 — Storytelling and Messaging for Businesses with Chad Cooper
Chad Cooper, copywriter and concept strategist for de Novo Marketing, will present “Storytelling and Messaging for Businesses.” Great stories attract attention. Create messaging that’s human and sincere, and people will feel it in their bones. But how do you do it? Start with going beyond the mere idea of content. When you know yourself, respect your competition, and understand your audience, you unlock what matters. Discover a repeatable process to identify your clear space, tell meaningful stories, and stand out in the Age of Average.
In this Bite Sized Learning session, Cooper will introduce concept work, a topic he believes is both the most important and most overlooked aspect of marketing, particularly for local, small, and regional brands. When businesses discover how to find their clear space, authentic storytelling becomes easier. Because it's not just business; the best messaging is personal and human.
Bite Sized Learning is supported through partnership with:
Notice of Photographic & Media Recording: When you attend a Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce event, photo, audio, and video recording may occur. By attending this event, you consent to such recording media and your image and likeness being used in connection with the promotion, advertising, and/or marketing of the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce and the Grinnell Community. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact the Chamber at 641-236-6555.