Since 2014, First Bank & Trust’s FOCUS event has grown into one of South Dakota’s most anticipated business gatherings, a platform dedicated to inspiring innovation, elevating leadership, and strengthening rural communities. More than a conference, it’s a commitment to advancing local businesses by creating space for connection, strategy, and bold ideas.
Held bi-annually, FOCUS brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers for a day of big-picture thinking. What began with a single keynote speaker in a modest setting has evolved into a high-caliber event featuring nationally recognized voices and local success stories all curated with the help of longtime partner, The Event Company.
“FOCUS is a direct extension of our mission,” said Tom Fishback, Executive Director of Community Development. “We’re not just here to manage banking relationships. We’re here to help our communities thrive,” said Tom.
Clarity. Direction. Vision.
While FOCUS isn’t an acronym, the name says it all. Each year’s theme reflects timely business challenges and opportunities. For 2025, the theme “Fueling Innovation Through Turbulent Times” spoke directly to the current economic landscape. Held October 22nd in Sioux Falls and October 23rd in Brookings, the event invited attendees to reimagine what’s possible, even in uncertain conditions.
The lineup featured keynote speakers Aaron Davis, a former national champion football player and cancer survivor known for his powerful message on mindset and leadership, and Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, who shared strategies for unlocking creativity and embracing change.
Local Stories, Lasting Impact
While big names bring attention, it’s often the local stories that leave the strongest impression. As an example, in 2024, a panel featuring Jenn Barlund of Falcon Plastics and Kirsten Gjesdal of Downtown Brookings sparked rich conversations around resilience and growth, proof that innovation is thriving right here in South Dakota.
By blending national perspectives with local insights, FOCUS offers more than inspiration. It delivers real-world strategies that attendees can apply to their own businesses.
Remarkably, FOCUS is free to attend. Business owners, professionals, and community leaders from across the state gain access to world-class speakers, expert panels, and valuable networking all without a price tag. It’s an investment in South Dakota’s business ecosystem, powered by First Bank & Trust’s belief in accessible, actionable learning.
The event’s dual-city format also ensures that more communities, from Brookings to Sioux Falls, can take part and benefit from the experience.
Innovation, the Community Bank Way
With locations in 17 communities across the region, First Bank & Trust is uniquely positioned to lead conversations around innovation. Their close relationships with customers mean they’re often first to spot emerging needs, and quick to offer solutions that go beyond banking.
“Community banks are natural incubators for innovation. We’re embedded in the local fabric. We see challenges early, and we’re invested in helping solve them,” said Tom Fishback.
As FOCUS continues to grow in scale and ambition, it stands as a tangible expression of First Bank & Trust’s purpose statement: to bring great people together to help our customers, communities, and colleagues thrive. Not every bank is set up to host large-scale events, and First Bank & Trust would be the first to admit that not every bank should. Their ongoing commitment to hosting this signature event reflects how community banks can champion innovation in their own unique way. Whether through education, conversation, or connection, it’s a reminder that community banks play a vital role in shaping the future of the places they serve.
In a rapidly changing world, events like FOCUS are more than inspiring, they’re essential. And as South Dakota’s businesses face what’s next, First Bank & Trust is making sure they don’t face it alone.
“We’re not just here to manage banking relationships. We’re here to help our communities thrive.”
—Tom Fishback