Weekly news and events from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.
- February 7, 2024 -
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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.
Let's make this Business After Hours at The Radical an evening to remember, filled with connection, celebration, and the spirit of our wonderful community!
- Leeanne
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125th Grant Highlight: Eblen Charities is Fueling Hope
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Eblen Charities, a nonprofit rooted in the heart of Asheville for over three decades, received a $10,000 grant from the Asheville Chamber during our 125th Anniversary Celebration. The grant, awarded in September of last year, is designed to bolster Eblen Charities' impactful Gasoline Assistance Program, specifically aiding individuals in Western North Carolina facing transportation barriers to job access.
We talked with Beth Russo, the Executive Director of Eblen Charities, who speaks passionately about the significance of the grant and the organization's commitment to making a tangible difference in people's lives.
Learn more and watch the video.
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February Business After Hours at The Radical Hotel
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Join us next Thursday, February 15, at The Radical Hotel for Business After Hours!
Enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages while connecting with other Chamber members. And celebrate our wonderful TRC volunteers! Feel free to bring a gift to be raffled off as door prizes towards the end of the evening. Bring your business cards for networking and a chance to win prizes!
Learn more.
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Spring Mega Networking On the Horizon
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Making connections that matter is essential for business growth, and Mega Networking provides the perfect platform to do just that. Join us on Tuesday, March 12, at the Holiday Inn Biltmore West, for a morning of structured networking, collaboration, and relationship-building.
In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, Mega Networking facilitates meaningful connections among professionals from various industries. Our "round robin" approach ensures that each participant has the opportunity to share insights about their business while engaging with a diverse group of local professionals. With a chance to rotate from table to table, you'll interact with most attendees, making numerous valuable connections in just one morning.
A unique opportunity awaits businesses to serve as Table Host Sponsors and we have a handful of spots left! Table Hosts, like David Riddell of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts, moderate discussions at your table during the connection rounds, offering a valuable leadership role. Previous experience at Mega Networking is preferred. Table Hosts are encouraged to decorate their tables in a fun and festive manner that reflects their business - The Super Signguy went above and beyond - literally - at our most recent Mega Networking (see above.)
Learn more & register!
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Limited Seats Remaining for Smart Series: Business in Asheville – What’s Next
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Join us for an exploration into the future of business in Asheville at our Smart Series event on February 20!
Dr. Kevan Frazier will delve into the history of the Asheville Renaissance (1980s-2010s) and recent developments, setting the stage for a thought-provoking conversation on "What's Next for Business in Asheville?"
Thank you to our presenting sponsors Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts, and WNC Business Magazine. And enjoy a delicious lunch provided by Mountain Madre!
Registration is required to help us plan accordingly. Chamber members enjoy complimentary access as part of their membership benefits. For non-members, there is a $15 fee. It's an excellent opportunity to experience the Chamber's offerings and connect with like-minded individuals!
Learn more & register!
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PROpel AVL's GROW Series on Transforming Leadership Dynamics
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 Unlock the secrets of influential leadership at PROpel AVL's first Grow Series event, featuring a captivating keynote on 'Mastering Influence: Transforming Leadership Dynamics.' Join us on Wednesday, February 28, from Noon to 1 p.m. at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce.
Delve into the art of influential leadership with 'Mastering Influence: Transforming Leadership Dynamics.' This keynote journey uncovers how to effectively navigate and reshape interactions, fostering a culture of empathy, effective communication, and impactful leadership. Learn to recognize and overcome reactionary tendencies to lead with confidence and inspire change.
Presenter Jennifer Germaine, former founder and CEO of a nationally-recognized law firm, brings a wealth of experience representing hundreds of organizations. With her signature EMBER Method, she guides leaders to create exceptional relationships and cultures within themselves first, then with clients, teams, audience, and collaborators. Join us for this transformative session and gain insights into building harmonious relationships for organizational success.
Lunch is included! Register here.
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Recognize Young Professionals with the PROpel AVL Awards this May - Nominations Open
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Our new PROpel AVL Awards honor young professionals who have distinguished themselves in their profession or as leaders along with individuals who serve as mentors to young professionals in our community.
The awards will be held the evening of Tuesday, May 7 at Highland Brewing. We'll let you know when you can register for the event itself!
Here are the award categories:
- Community/Public Service: This award honors an individual for their involvement in the community or for public service.
- Trailblazer: This award honors an individual for outstanding leadership in their organization, industry, profession or the young professional community.
- Innovation: This award honors an individual for creativity and innovation in business.
- Mentor: This award honors an individual who serves as a mentor to young professionals in our community.
Nominations are accepted through March 31, 2024!
Learn more and submit a nomination.
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Member Survey - We want your feedback!
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As an Asheville Chamber member, your opinions are important to us.
We periodically survey our members to better understand what you want from a business advocacy organization and your thoughts about the Asheville Chamber. We use this feedback to inform our programming.
If you’ve already filled out a survey in the past few weeks, thank you! If not, please consider sharing your thoughts. It should take less than 10 minutes!
Take the survey.
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Buncombe County Parks & Recreation's Community Recreation Grants Application Now Open
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Buncombe County Parks & Recreation has opened its Community Recreation Grants application through March 29, 2024.
The total funding available for the Community Recreation Grants is $100,000, with grants up to $6,000 per qualifying non-profit organization per year. Grant funds cannot be used for food and entertainment costs, travel expenses, general office supplies, or salaries, except for labor costs related to approved capital improvement projects.
Eligible projects must:
- Belong to a nonprofit organization.
- Improve the quality of life within our community through the promotion of recreational initiatives that emphasize health and wellness, outdoor recreation, environmental education, athletics, and/or cultural experiences.
- Operate in Buncombe County serving primarily Buncombe residents.
Learn more from the County.
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CFO Consultants, LLC is Empowering Small Businesses with Financial Expertise
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In the dynamic landscape of Asheville’s business community, CFO Consultants, LLC stands out as a beacon of financial expertise and support for small businesses. Benjamin Wann, the owner of CFO Consultants, has transformed the firm into a comprehensive resource for business consulting, fractional CFO services, bookkeeping, tax filing, planning, and business valuation.
“CFO Consultants isn’t a new business, but the energy and direction that we’ve brought to it since changing ownership in June is,” says Wann.
What sets CFO Consultants apart is its unique staffing model, with highly skilled and credentialed professionals passionate about supporting small businesses. The team includes individuals with decades of corporate management and consulting experience, complemented by CPAs, MBAs, and experts in business valuation, financial modeling, and decision support.
Check out our full Q&A with Wann.
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Everyday Orthodontics Creates Beautiful Smiles with a Personal Touch
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Everyday Orthodontics was born out of Dr. Liz Brooks’ desire to provide stellar, affordable care tailored to each individual. With a belief in building genuine relationships, the practice caters to people of all ages, from the littlest family members to grandparents and individuals with special needs.
“I feel that to be a good orthodontist, it starts by being a good human first,” says Dr. Liz. “It means honesty, integrity, and genuine interactions. It means involving my patients in their treatment every step of the way and listening to them carefully. It means giving back every day.”
Dr. Liz’s mission is to ensure everyone leaves with their best smile, fostering an environment where creativity and care flourish.
Check out our full Q&A with Dr. Liz.
And join Everyday Orthodontics for its Ribbon Cutting tomorrow evening!
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Chamber Events: Mark your calendars and register in advance!
Thursday, February 15: February Business After Hours
5:30 - 7 p.m. | The Radical Hotel | No Registration
Tuesday, February 20: Smart Series: Business in Asheville - What's Next
Noon - 1 p.m. | Asheville Chamber | Registration Required
Wednesday, February 28: PROpel AVL Grow Series
Noon - 1 p.m. | Asheville Chamber | Registration Required
Tuesday, March 12: Mega Networking - Spring 2024
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Holiday Inn Biltmore West | Registration Required
Friday, May 3: Chamber Challenge 5k Race
4 - 6 p.m. | Asheville Chamber | Registration Required - Early Bird Pricing Ends 3/31
Ribbon Cuttings:
Thursday, February 8: Ribbon Cutting for Everyday Orthodontics
4 - 8 p.m. | Everyday Orthodontics | No Registration
Wednesday, February 21: Ribbon Cutting for Savvy Post Marketing
4 - 5 p.m. | Asheville Chamber | No Registration
Community Events:
Friday, February 9: Valentine’s Chocolate and Wine Pairing
Friday, February 9: Board & Brush Galentine's Day Pick Your Project Workshop w/FREE bonus sign
Friday, February 9 - Sunday, February 25: Flyin' West
Saturday, February 10: Goat Yoga on the Farm
Saturday, February 10: Be a Sweetheart at Mast General Store
Sunday, February 11: Chocolate Tasting
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Thank you to these top partners!
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