I will be the MC for the day and this year’s keynote is Bill McKendry from Haven  “He gets Us” campaign. This national campaign included a Super bowl ad and impressive exposure. The second speaker is Erin Templer who is an author and speaking on A.I.

Marketers and influencers exploit this cognitive limitation to capture attention. Yet developing an irresistible brand transcends a given platform, building lasting communities that follow you across any media channels.

The key concepts we'll explore:

• The human brain's inherent meaning-making nature

• Primitive versus sophisticated engagement strategies

• The gap between media evolution and cognitive processing

• Building platform-independent brand communities

It is an honor to speak to the athletes at the University of Michigan about building a brand in the era of NIL.

I will be introducing Elizabeth Wright and diving into how you can build better synergy with your teams for 2025.

Navigate the complexities of Medicare with ease at 'The Guide to Medicare & Golden Retirement,' a must-attend, free virtual event designed to illuminate the path to a secure and informed retirement. This comprehensive webinar hosted by Eric Hultgren brings together esteemed experts in the Medicare field, ready to demystify the world of traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, and the latest updates for the 2025 enrollment period. Whether you're nearing retirement or looking to optimize your current Medicare coverage, our panelists will provide invaluable insights into selecting the plan that best fits your health needs and lifestyle. From the comfort of your home, join us for an enlightening discussion that promises to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to make well-informed decisions for a golden retirement. Don't miss this opportunity to take charge of your health care planning and ensure a secure, fulfilling future.

Navigate the complexities of Medicare with ease at 'The Guide to Medicare & Golden Retirement,' a must-attend, free virtual event designed to illuminate the path to a secure and informed retirement. This comprehensive webinar hosted by Eric Hultgren brings together esteemed experts in the Medicare field, ready to demystify the world of traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, and the latest updates for the 2025 enrollment period. Whether you're nearing retirement or looking to optimize your current Medicare coverage, our panelists will provide invaluable insights into selecting the plan that best fits your health needs and lifestyle. From the comfort of your home, join us for an enlightening discussion that promises to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to make well-informed decisions for a golden retirement. Don't miss this opportunity to take charge of your health care planning and ensure a secure, fulfilling future.

Eric will have a 15 min presentation about the trends in the travel space and you can sign up HERE

A brand is more than a logo or color scheme. It’s more than a tagline, slogan, or marketing campaign. And it’s much more than any advertising campaign, single product or graphics design feature. A brand is a promise to the consumer that they can count on you to deliver EVERY time on that promise. Join Eric Hultgren, director of brand strategy + social media for MLive, as he talks about how you move from your name to a brand and deliver on that promise.

SIGN UP

Eric is the host for a conversation about neurodiversity in the workplace.

Have you ever been in a room with an elected official and realized they don't understand the value of planning? Planners routinely interact with a wide variety of state and local officials, but many report feeling like their elected leaders do not understand or value the expertise planners provide.

That's why APA is launching "It Takes a Planner," an effort aimed at building the influence of planners among state and local elected and appointed officials. It takes a planner to bring long-term vision, data-driven insight, and expert guidance to the decision-making table. Here's how we can make sure planners have a more permanent seat.

Join Eric for a transformative journey at 'Moving Flint Forward,' a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by the General Motors and Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, dedicated to propelling the heart and soul of Flint's neighborhoods into a vibrant future. This pioneering Small Business Grant Program, generously funded by GM, is not just a beacon of hope; it's a robust engine driving the city's revitalization. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this class is your golden ticket to building a brand that resonates deeply with your audience, ensuring your voice is not just heard, but remembered. Embark on this journey with us to make an indelible mark on Flint's renaissance, elevating your business while contributing to the greater good of the community."

Get ready to celebrate excellence at the Cleveland edition of Top Workplaces, the premier event recognizing the most outstanding places to work in this vibrant city. This prestigious gathering shines a spotlight on organizations that go above and beyond to create a positive, supportive, and dynamic work environment, as voted by the people who know them best—their employees. As we honor these exceptional workplaces, we not only acknowledge their contribution to the local economy and community but also inspire other companies to follow in their footsteps.

As the proud host for the fourth consecutive year, I am thrilled to invite you to the Michigan Lymphoma and Leukemia Society Gala, a beacon of hope and solidarity in the fight against blood cancers. This event has not only been a cornerstone of support for those affected by lymphoma and leukemia in Michigan but has also illuminated the path towards groundbreaking research and life-saving treatments.

I am excited to delve into the latest consumer sentiment insights from the readers of MLive, offering a unique window into the evolving preferences and behaviors of Michigan's travelers. This rich data not only reflects the current trends shaping our industry but also serves as a crucial guide for travel partners looking to navigate the complexities of the tourism landscape in 2024. Armed with this knowledge, we have the unprecedented opportunity to tailor our offerings, ensuring they resonate deeply with our audience's desires for authenticity, sustainability, and immersive experiences. By leveraging these insights, we can make informed decisions that not only elevate the traveler's journey but also contribute to the sustainable growth of Michigan's tourism sector.

It is the spring session of my class on storytelling for social media with my dear friend Dr. Marcus Collins. at the legendary Ross School of Business

Eric’s first talk in Flint for 2024 will focus on what is trending in social media, how to stay on top of technology, how AI fits into your workflow, and how you better serve your customers

Sign up here

Another West Michigan Bourbon Society tasting event at the Alto Bar and this line-up is incredible. See you there.

I am doing a guest lecture for Social Media in Organizations talking about how to stay up on the latest platforms and the changes to those platforms in order to continue to connect with an audience.

I will be giving a keynote around innovation and what we should be thinking about as an organization heading into 2024.

The West Michigan Bourbon Society heads to Alto for the first event of 2024 for a 5 bourbon tasting.

Eric will be talking with the middle school students at North Rockford Middle School about storytelling and how to create a career on the web.

My favorite event of the year to be able to teach at the Ross School of Business and talking about storytelling in the era of the internet.

Referred to as one of the most memorable moments of her career by a 2022 honoree, this red-carpet affair honors nurses of Michigan that go above and beyond making a lasting impact on our community.

The honorees are nominated by the readers of MLive.com and chosen by a panel of judges that includes experts from the local medical field. ​

Details soon

How do you start a story? What makes it connect? Have you ever been to a party where there is that ONE person who everyone is gathered around and he or she is holding court – telling stories? 

What if your brand could do that? 

What if it could do that at scale? 

The internet is full of brands taking advantage of a world where ads don’t work as well or maybe at all, and that audience demands more from you. They want you to tell them a story but not about you, about them. Grab a seat – it’s time for a story about how to build a story.

How do you build a brand in a world where there are millions of distractions keeping the customer from paying attention to you? How to you create content that builds trust so you are even a brand they might consider? Eric Hultgren will lead this class on branding focused on understanding how to connect what you do to who you do it for so that your customer can feel connected and engaged. Build a brand for the digital age that not only connects with customers but gets them to buy from you.

Eric will be the MC of this event

Eric will be the host for the Cleveland Top Workplaces event celebrating the best companies in the area.

Eric will be talking with interns from The Flint & Genesee Chamber about how to think about building a personal brand.

Eric is the host of this year’s New Jersey Top Workplaces event