By The Kokomo Post Staff

What happens when you give high school students real responsibility, real business challenges, and real community support?

You get something like the Kokomo CEO Summit.

On February 25, 2026, Kokomo CEO will host its annual leadership summit at Crossroads Community Church South, and this year’s theme is as bold as it is delicious: “A Taste of Kokomo.” The event blends powerful leadership development with a curated showcase of local restaurants, all planned and executed by 17 high school juniors and seniors from across Howard County.

The real stars of the show are the students.

What Is Kokomo CEO?

For those unfamiliar, Kokomo CEO is not your typical high school class.

“Kokomo CEO is an application-based, year-long entrepreneurship and leadership experience for high school juniors and seniors in Howard County,” said Michael Myers, Co-CEO of this year’s class and a senior at Lewis Cass High School.

Students are selected from Kokomo High School, Eastern, Lewis Cass, Maconaquah, Northwestern, Taylor, Tri-Central, and Western. Instead of sitting in a traditional classroom, they step directly into the business world, visiting local companies, learning from community leaders, and launching two real businesses of their own.

“It is not held in a traditional classroom,” Michael explained. “Students step into the real business world every day. CEO is designed to develop leaders who think critically, communicate confidently, take ownership, and understand how business truly works, because they’ve actually done it.”

The Summit is the public-facing result of that work.

A Tradition That Elevates Leadership

The Kokomo CEO Summit has become a pillar event for the program, designed to inspire and connect leaders across generations.

“The goal of the Summit is to elevate leadership in our community,” Michael said. “Through powerful speakers, meaningful connections, and real-world insight, we aim to challenge attendees to think bigger, lead stronger, and stay adaptable in an ever-changing world.”

This year’s event will take place:

Crossroads Community Church South
February 25, 2026
Tickets: $60 plus fees at tasteofkokomoceo.com
Ticket deadline: February 23, 2026
Dress code: Business casual

The event is open to the public.

“This event is open to anyone who cares about leadership, growth, and the future of our community,” Michael said. “Business leaders, young professionals, students, entrepreneurs, anyone looking to grow personally or professionally will find value in this experience.”

This Year’s Theme: “A Taste of Kokomo”

When the class began brainstorming their annual business project, they faced a big decision: bring back the beloved “Taste of Kokomo” event after its hiatus or host their signature leadership summit.

Then they realized they did not have to choose.

“We could combine the two,” Michael said.

The result is a dynamic experience that feeds both the mind and the palate.

During lunch, attendees will sample offerings from six local restaurants:

SUTE Korean Fusion
Fresh Fix Cafe
Harvey Hinklemeyers
Pana Donuts
Brick Street Deli
The Booze Buggy

Golfup 31

Each guest will receive a “passport” to be stamped at each vendor, creating an interactive tasting experience complete with voting and restaurant awards.

But this theme goes beyond great food.

“‘A Taste of Kokomo CEO’ not only represents a great culinary experience for our attendees, but spreads awareness for our immense local food scene here in Kokomo,” Michael said. “This not only provides a more personal experience for our guests, but a way to help our local economy along with it.”

Leadership and local flavor come together in one room.

The Speaker Lineup

The day begins at 10 a.m., after early access and registration, and features a strong lineup of speakers and local representation who bring fresh perspective and energy to Kokomo’s leadership community.

Emcee: Our Very Own Bree Bragg, The Kokomo Post

This year’s Summit will be emceed by our very own Bree Bragg of The Kokomo Post.

Michael said selecting Bree was an intentional decision rooted in community connection and energy.

“After following The Kokomo Post for many years, I have seen Bree Bragg become a prominent figure within the company and Kokomo community,” he said. “When our facilitator, Kelly Hopkins, brought to my attention that she serves as the emcee for the Noblesville Boom, I knew we needed her energy and enthusiasm to help set the tone for our event.”

As emcee, Bree will open the event and guide attendees throughout the day, helping maintain momentum between sessions and ensuring the experience stays engaging and elevated.

“The emcee role is always the first one out on stage,” Michael explained. “That person has to set the tone with their opening monologue and transition into the meat of the summit. Having Bree kick off our event will not only set a positive tone for the rest of the day but keep our audience engaged throughout the entirety of the event.”

Strong local representation matters to the Kokomo CEO team.

“It is definitely important to have strong local representation within this event because it shows how our local community is strong and supportive during an event like ours,” Michael said. “Pushing a strong narrative on community involvement will create another generation of community stewards.”

Keynote: Lindsay Boccardo

Topic: The Generations of Leadership

Lindsay’s message is especially relevant to Kokomo’s multi-generational business community.

“She highlights how each generation brings unique strengths, perspectives, and leadership styles to the table,” Michael said. “Her message reinforces that leadership doesn’t look one way. It evolves, adapts, and grows through every generation represented in the room.”

Expect energy, interaction, and a keynote that bridges generations in a meaningful way.

Featured Speakers:

Vince Freeman, Chief AI Implementation Officer at HardingPoorman and Miles Printing
Topic: How to Stay Human in an AI World

Scott Beck, President of Beck’s Hybrids
Topic: Leadership Matters

Connor Sanburn, Community Growth Specialist at Midland Institute of Technology
Topic: From CEO Student to Community Steward: A Full-Circle Story

“We went with these speakers in order to provide our primarily Kokomo-based audience with a selection of speakers from communities outside of our region,” Michael explained, “to provide an engaging experience from new faces.”

Attendees can expect practical leadership insights, conversations around innovation and technology, and reminders of the importance of local community stewardship.

Behind the Scenes: Real Business, Real Responsibility

Perhaps the most inspiring part of this event is that it is fully student-run.

From securing sponsors, which are now fully booked, to coordinating vendors, marketing the event, managing finances, and building partnerships, every detail has been handled by the Kokomo CEO class.

“There is a lot of trial and error that goes into the planning process,” Michael said. “Our team has dealt with a lot of dead-ends and having to revitalize our plan.”

Their biggest challenge was working as a team of 17 young adults under tight timelines.

“As a team, I feel like we have definitely come together and grown a lot to conquer these challenges,” he shared.

And the reward?

“The most rewarding part of this event was the experiences we have learned along the way.”

This is not a simulation. It is real-world business in action.

Why This Summit Matters

“This Summit represents more than a one-day event,” Michael said. “It represents what happens when young leaders are trusted with real responsibility.”

When you attend, you are not just gaining leadership insight and expanding your network. You are investing in the next generation of business and community leaders in Howard County.

“This event is truly one of a kind in our area,” Michael added. “It combines high-level leadership development, community connection, and a curated local food experience, all led and executed by students.”

If you have never attended before, Michael has a simple message.

“If you’ve never attended before, this is the year to start,” he said. “You’ll walk away with new ideas, new connections, and a renewed sense of motivation.”

Kokomo’s next generation of leaders is ready. Are you?

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