Prepare yourself for three power-packed hours of inspiration and insight. You will be amazed at the caliber of Asheville area’s professional speaking community. NSA-WNC will showcase a series of inspirational and interactive presentations that will kickstart your year with insights and tools to help you achieve the changes you wish to make in the year ahead.

Whether you are a leader seeking ways to develop your team or a student of self-improvement, this event promises to point you in a new and positive direction.

Proceeds benefit the Asheville Breakfast Rotary Foundation. Those who bring a hygiene product for donation will also be entered into a door prize drawing at the close of the event.

The Lazy Tiger is a traveler’s hostel focused on serving as a launchpad for adventure and allowing strangers to become friends!

Come celebebrate their ribbon cutting that will allow other local business owners a chance to see their new space and network with others! Take a tour of the space and ask any questions you may have! There will be drinks and light snacks provided.

The YMCA of Western North Carolina’s Community Health team delivers fresh, healthy food at no charge to hundreds of families in a five-county area. Their mobile food markets are set up like free farmers markets at dozens of locations each month. They ask no questions and place no limits on the amount of food each person chooses. In addition to food, they share tasty recipes, practical cooking demonstrations, and valuable nutrition information that’s easy to understand. The Y is also part of the statewide Healthy Opportunity Pilot (HOP) to address food insecurity for managed Medicaid participants. We prepare and deliver meal boxes that contain a week’s worth of nutritious food, simple recipes, and tips for food storage and cooking. The Nutrition Outreach Hub is their home base for food donation, sorting, and packing.

The YMCA of Western North Carolina is celebrating 10 years of delivering fresh, healthy food at no charge to the community. This work is centered at their Nutrition Outreach Hub, which recently moved into its new home on Riverside Drive. Elected officials, community members, and the media are invited to attend the space’s grand opening and ribbon cutting to learn more about how the Y is improving access to healthy local food. Light refreshments will be served.

Please join us for the next Goodwill Business Advisory Council (BAC) meeting to be held on Thursday, February 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. We’ll be meeting at The Omni Grove Park Inn located at 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville.

Networking and Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
Meeting: Noon – 1 p.m.
Location: Omni Grove Park Inn
Meeting Room: The Skyline Meeting Room.
Arrival Directions: Park in the Sammons parking garage and take the guest elevator to the lobby level. Upon exiting the elevators, turn right and walk towards the lobby. The Skyline Meeting Room entrance is across from the patio entrance to the Edison Restaurant.

Join us to discover the diverse opportunities that The Omni Grove Park Inn offers, gain insight into its leadership development initiatives, and learn about its community engagement strategies as we showcase our current leaders’ impactful work.

Featured Speakers:
Sasha James – Recruiting Sourcing Specialist
Kathleen Perez – Director of Human Resources
Elizabeth Jordan – Current Leader in Development
Paige McCoy – Current Leader in Development
Emily Moore – Assistant Front Office Manager, past Leader in Development
Janie Hicks – CIA Pro Chef Program Participant
Amari Kidd – CIA Pro Chef Program Participant
Melissa McKnight – Executive Banquet Chef and Food Connection Board Member

Career Quest: Grove Park Inn with Sasha James Sasha is the recruiting sourcing specialist for The Omni Grove Park Inn. She’s joining us to talk about customer service in the hospitality industry. Watch the video to learn more. Want to feature your organization and job opportunities? Contact Career Quest for more information.

Incredible Towns of WNC invites you to WNC’s largest free and independent Business Networking group, Incredible Business Networking (IBN) for IBN Biz Lunch – Asheville, on the first Tuesday of each month, at Suwana Asian Cuisine, 45 Tunnel Rd., beginning at 11:30.

IBN Biz Lunch – Asheville is open to all. Never any dues, fees, restrictions, exclusions, or membership requirements. Just buy your lunch if you are hungry and support our host restaurant.

Bring a stack of business cards, and if you like, a door prize to add to our drawing at the end of the meeting.

The meeting will consist of 1 minute introductions by every guest, a discussion of future networking opportunities in the area, a roundtable business needs and solutions segment, a time for gratitude and testimonials, door prizes, and some open networking before and after the meeting.

Our meetings are free because of the generosity and support of our IBN Sponsors:
The Super Signguy
Biz Radio US
Mr. Rooter Plumbing WNC
One Health Direct Primary Care
Southern Quality Company

Ribbon Cutting Advanced Dermatology + Skin Surgery

The foundation of personal and professional success lies in understanding yourself, understanding others, and realizing the impact of personal behavior on others. For nearly thirty years, more than 30 million people have unlocked the door to productive communication and increased performance through the DiSC® of Behavior & Communication Styles learning approach.

This workshop offers small business owners, sales professionals, and managers a dynamic and personalized learning experience, engineered to increase awareness of customer & sales interactions and increase results, generating lasting connections that bolster your bottom line.

Program Benefits:

• Practical Application: Learn actionable strategies to apply DiSC Sales knowledge in real-world scenarios.
• Enhanced Communication with customers.
• Increased Sales Effectiveness: Understand and adapt to different customer communication styles to boost sales success.
• Deeper Customer Connections: Forge stronger relationships with customers by understanding their unique communication preferences.
• Improved Customer Service: Deliver tailored service based on customer communication styles and needs.
• Enhanced Sales Team Collaboration: Foster better teamwork and communication within the sales team.

About the Presenter:

E.G. Sebastian, co-founder of LOYCAL – Loyal to Local, is a Business-Development & Performance Consultant, and an international speaker. He’s been helping management and sales teams improve their performance since 2004.

He is the author of Communication Skills Magic – used in several college courses in the US and Canada – and is the co-author of multiple books, including “Back Off! – Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work,” and “Bushido Business” – co-authored with Brian Tracy and Steven MR Covey.

Sebastian believes in delivering content through Eduteinment – Education + Entertainment – using humor and interaction with the audience. His presentations often are among the highest rated at professional events.

Connect with him on LinkedIn, at www.linkedin.com/in/egSebastian and on Alignable: www.alignable.com/hendersonville-nc/loycal-loyal-to-local

Registration is required so we may plan accordingly.

This event is offered as a benefit for Chamber membership. We also believe these are important topics for everyone, so we are opening this event to non-members for $15. We welcome you to come and check us out! Please contact Jessica Kanupp, our Member Development Specialist, at [email protected] if you’re considering a Chamber membership.

Everyday Orthodontics is a unique orthodontic practice with a focus on honest and affordable personalized care for all ages. Smiling is one of their highest personal art forms and we want everyone to have the confidence to flaunt it! Their services include braces, aligners, special needs care, TMJ treatment, sleep apnea treatment, jaw surgery, and complex orthodontics. They appreciate this community so much and it has always been their goal to create something that offers fantastic services built on trust, honesty and genuine relationships. A place that involves theirr patients in their treatment every step of the way and listens to them carefully. A place they truly love to visit.

Come join them at their practice to meet Dr. Liz and enjoy some food, drinks, and live music! Special discount cards off of comprehensive treatment will be available to all attendees!

Rise and shine and make your morning the catalyst to AMP UP your business!

Jumpstart your morning with a burst of productivity as you mingle with prospective customers. This monthly event is your gateway to discovering strong referral sources, finding new vendors, meeting the perfect client, or establishing connections that can open doors for future interactions!

Whether you’re an early bird, or can’t make it to our after-hours, AM Power Hour is your go-to for a dynamic and energizing start to the day!

2024 AM Power Hours are Presented by We Sell WNC!

February’s Host is the Hendersonville Family YMCA!

Join us each month for an info-packed event brought to you by the Blue Ridge Community College\’s Small Business Center, the City of Hendersonville Main Street Program, the Hendersonville Merchants & Business Association and the Chamber. Get the lowdown on current community events and the issues that matter to our local businesses and community.

Stay tuned for updated on our monthly lineup of guests and speakers!

The 2024 Business Morning Updates are proudly Presented by ALLCHOICE Insurance!

At our Business After Hours next Thursday, February 15, we’re excited to gather and honor our incredible Total Resource Committee Volunteers, who, through their dedication, have raised over a Million dollars to support the Asheville Chamber’s initiatives.

Our Total Resource Committee consists of 12 remarkable community volunteers, each playing a crucial role:

• Lindsey Bnadad, Chair and Co-Owner of Kudzu Brands
• Elizabeth Bridgers, Chair and CMO of HomeTrust Bank
• Heather Johnson, Co-Owner of Kudzu Brands
• Kendra Payne, Co-Owner of A Look at Asheville
• Sandra Dennison, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Quility
• Jeff Switzer, UPS
• Jared Bailey, Market President at TruPoint
• Maria Pilos, Director of Marketing at DMJPS
• Charlotte Fitzpatrick, Managing Loan Officer at PrimeLending
• Sharon Owens, Retired from Mercy Urgent Care
• Donna Hammett, Business Development Executive at Forvis
• Monica Rousseau, Principal Broker at Realty ONE Group Pivot

Join us at The Radical in the River Arts District and enjoy food, drinks, and camaraderie. Explore the awesome new space within The Radical and savor delicious dishes from Afterglow, Golden Hour, and The Roof.
This event is offered as a benefit for Chamber membership. We welcome you to come and check us out! Please contact Jessica Kanupp, our Member Development Specialist, at [email protected] if you’re considering a Chamber membership.

Gather ● Relate ● Organize ● Work
Join us to stay updated on business in Mills River. With updates from the Town of Mills River and networking with neighboring businesses, let’s work to GROW your business in Mills River

Join Dr. Kevan Frazier for a brief history of the Asheville Renaissance (1980s-2010s), as well as recent Asheville history, as the foundation for a conversation about “What is next for business in Asheville?” Asheville is one of the great success stories of downtown revitalization and redevelopment but has entered a new era. How can we use the lessons of the recent past to shape a great future for our beloved Mountain Metropolis?

Registration is required so we may plan accordingly.

This event is offered as a benefit for Chamber membership. We also believe these are important topics for everyone, so we are opening this event to non-members for $15. We welcome you to come and check us out! Please contact Jessica Kanupp, our Member Development Specialist, at [email protected] if you’re considering a Chamber membership.

Savvy Post Marketing is a digital marketing agency dedicated to boosting success for food and beverage businesses. Their specialized services include strategic digital campaigns (social media management, targeted ad campaigns Etc.). They also offer custom mobile app development and user-friendly website development. Committed to local business growth, they tailor solutions for enhanced user engagement, and ultimately help businesses gain a substantial return on investment (ROI).

Come celebrate their ribbon cutting as a new member of the Chamber!

Two days of educational programs, trade show featuring over 40 vendors and the annual meeting of the NC Tomato Growers Association

This is the largest commercial vegetable grower event in the region with a high quality educational program put together by vegetable extension specialist/agents at NC State University. We hope that you take advantage of this opportunity to learn about current issues associated with vegetables and take time with the representatives from agricultural companies and other businesses that support our industry during our 2-day trade show.

• New education track for small farms/direct market growers/organic production
• A sponsored lunch and awards program will be included at noon on Thursday.
• Pesticide credits will be available for attendees. (X,O, D, N)
• NC Private Applicator Recertification Class (V)
• Fumigation Recertification Class (Z)
• There will be a trade show again this year with a large number of sponsors and exhibitors setting up their displays for attendees to visit. Interested vendors should register early.
  

  SPONSORS/EXHIBITORS

  We welcome sponsors for our event. Sponsorships give you the opportunity to showcase your business and allow us to make this a special conference for attendees. Sponsorships also support scholarships. Details are included on the sponsorship ticket descriptions in the “get tickets” link above. If you need to be invoiced and send a check, please contact Ellen Moss at [email protected].

  SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS

  This year we will be holding a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction to support our scholarship fund. Raffle prices are $10/each or 12 for $100. During the conference see the Registration Desk to purchase your raffle tickets or for more information. Drawing will occur at the Tomato Growers Association Luncheon on Thursday. You Must Be Present to Win! If you are not interested in purchasing a raffle ticket or bidding on the silent auction, but would still like to support the scholarship fund, donations are greatly appreciated! Your generosity ensures that NCTGA continues to support future generations of farmers with an endowment fund used to offer merit/need-based scholarships. You can make a donation through this Eventbrite page via the donations ticket button. Details are included in the “get tickets” link above. If you need to be invoiced and send a check, or need a receipt for a tax deduction please contact Ellen Moss at [email protected].

The annual Business of Farming Conference brings together professional farmers from across the Southeast region to network and share resources to grow their farm businesses. Farmers learn about marketing, business planning, and financial management from regional experts and innovative peers. The conference is designed for beginning and established farmers as well as those seriously considering farming as a profession.

Hear what the experts predict for the economy in 2024.

Join us as we celebrate Optimum and their new retail space off of Main Street in Downtown Hendersonville!

Thank you to Duke Energy for being the Presenting Sponsor of 2024 Ribbon Cuttings!

Sherwin-Williams goes to Candler! They are an industry leader of architectural coatings, celebrating their newest location covering the Candler and Canton areas. They are happy to supply both retail DIY and wholesale contractors with paint, painting supplies, and expert advice for any project.

This is their retail Grand Opening week! They want to kick off their new store, ahead of their March 2^nd retail/DIY grand opening sale. (Wholesale/contractor Grand Opening expo to come in April!)

At the February 28^th ribbon-cutting, they will be offering store tours, expert advice, and discounted paint samples. They welcome anyone to come check out their new location, eat some Chick-fil-a lunch, and learn what Sherwin-Williams can do for you. Start a business relationship with them to get access to their Pro+ discounts and resources, or come take advantage of their discounted paint samples to prep for a personal painting project.

PROpel AVL is your partner for professional success, offering exclusive workshops, mentors, job opportunities, and a community of ambitious young professionals. Our GROW Series –  an integral part of our commitment to nurturing the growth and development of young professionals, is an exciting opportunity for dynamic presenters to share their expertise. This professional development initiative is designed to provide young professionals with valuable insights, skills, and strategies to propel their careers forward. The GROW Series focuses on offering a diverse range of educational topics tailored specifically to the needs of young professionals. We aim to inspire participants by helping them build essential skill sets and set meaningful goals for career advancement. The series seeks proposals from experienced presenters who can contribute unique perspectives and deliver actionable information that young professionals can apply in their work environments. And celebrate excellence with PROpel AVL Awards, recognizing outstanding professionals in community/public service, leadership, innovation, and mentorship. Nominate individuals making a difference in our community.

Register for an upcoming GROW program through our event calendar.

2024 Dates:

Wed. Feb. 28th
Tues. March 26th
Wed. April 24th
Tues. May 21st
Thurs. June 20th
Tues. July 16th
Thurs. Aug. 22nd
Tues. Sept. 10th
Tues. Oct. 8th

Join us as we celebrate new members, Hendersonville Acupuncture and Wellness with a Ribbon Cutting!