Eastern NC Business Events and Networking Nov. 2017

October 23, 2017 Kay Whatley business, local-nc
Business Happenings
Business Happenings

By Kay Whatley, Editor

Area Chambers of Commerce, business groups, and local businesses/organizations hold educational events and provide free business training or networking opportunities.

Some events are organized by SCORE at area locations. SCORE — the Service Corps of Retired Executives — is a nonprofit association dedicated to “helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.”  More information about SCORE is online at www.score.org.

In addition to opportunities listed below, North Carolina’s community colleges offer free business workshops across the state. Find free “Small Business Center Network” classes by searching at www.ncsbc.net. Topics cover finance, marketing, fundraising, and general business/nonprofit issues alongside specialized classes such as food business creation.

Regular Chamber member meetings or semi-closed leads groups, are not included in this list. Check with, or join, your local Chamber to find out more about regular meetings near your business. A list of five-county area chambers, and beyond, is included at the end of this article.

The Evolution of a Smarter City

This is a WRAL TechWire Executive Exchange event. This event is being held Wednesday, November 1, 2017, 8am-noon, at the Edna Boykin Cultural Center, 108 Nash Street NE, Wilson NC. Overview:

As the smart cities movement spreads across the US, Wilson, North Carolina proves that businesses and citizens in major metropolitan cities are not the only beneficiaries of gigabit technology and the innovation it fosters.

No matter the size, architecting a smart city is a community effort requiring a shared vision and unwavering focus. This WRAL TechWire Executive Exchange convenes city, industry, and academic leaders in the heart of downtown Wilson to share strategies and ideas powering North Carolina cities like Wilson in their journey to become even smarter and more connected.

Registration is $25 via EventBrite. Note that WRAL TechWire Insider subscribers may receive $10 off the admission price.

Business After Hours

On Thursday, November 2, 2017, 5:30-7pm, Eastern AHEC (Area Health Education Center) and the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce are opening the Eastern AHEC facility to local vendors and providing networking for professionals in healthcare, all fields, and industries. This event is free; advance registration is requested for planning purposes. This networking/vendor event is being held at 2600 W Arlington Blvd, Greenville NC.

Vendors must reserve tables in advance. To set up a vendor table, contact the Chamber at 252.752.4101 or see www.greenvillenc.org.

Excelerate Experience 2017

Speakers, networking, lunch and more at this event Friday, November 3, 2017, 9am-6pm. Held at the NC Biotechnology Center, 15 TW Alexander Drive, Durham NC. The upbeat and interactive day. (Article)

First Friday Coffee

Join the Nashville NC Chamber of Commerce on Friday, November 3, 2017, starting at 8am, for a cup of coffee and network with local Chamber members and area residents. This event recurs on the first Friday of most months, with most gatherings held at the Nashville Exchange, W Washington Street, Nashville NC. A sponsoring business covers coffee costs at each event. This Chamber’s calendar is online at nashvillencchamber.org/calendar.

Businesses interested in sponsoring an upcoming First Friday Coffee event should call Lisa at the Nashville NC Chamber at 252.459.6275.

Tuesday Morning Coffee Break

Join the Business Alliance of NC for a cup of coffee, conversation, and networking. Scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2017, 8-10am, at Lorraine’s Coffee House, 101 Timber Pointe Lane, Garner NC. Build referral relationships and brainstorm with other businesses/entrepreneurs. This is a free-flowing networking event. Find out more about the Business Alliance of NC by visiting businessalliancenc.com. This “coffee break” event is also scheduled on November 14, 2017.

Grant Writing

This SCORE workshop will be held in the “Quiet Area” at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC, on November 7, 2017, 5:45-7:30pm. This is part of the library’s 1st Tuesdays for Business and Nonprofits. For more information on Braswell Memorial Library’s SCORE events or to register, call Joetta Pittman at 252.442.1942 x.239.

Business After Hours

Join the Knightdale Chamber of Commerce for this networking event with Young & Associates Insurance Group. Scheduled for November 9, 2017, 5:30-7:30pm. Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and register to win raffle prizes. Network and connect with fellow Chamber members, local business professionals, and community leaders. This event will be at 612 N First Avenue, Knightdale NC. For more information, contact the Knightdale Chamber Office at 919.266.4603. This is a free event. See event information at www.knightdalechamber.org.

A Home Office that Works

This workshop offers insights to anyone who’s thinking about starting a business at home, already has a business at home, or is considering a telecommuting position. Get insights from a business entrepreneur who’s worked at home for almost 30 years. In fact, the speaker (Dr. Joe Webb) is the co-author of the 2015 edition of The Home Office that Works! Learn how to start and avoid the problems unique to home offices: our speaker’s already made the mistakes so you don’t have to. Find out the key factors of home office success, how to be financially prepared, and pitfalls (and benefits) in taxes and insurance. The workshop explains how to save on furniture, computer resources, and marketing. There’s also hints about working around family, neighbors, pets. Discover the habits that make or break home office success. A home office can enhance work life, improve family life, and be a business advantage. Workshop is presented by Raleigh SCORE.

This seminar is November 9, 2017, 6:30-8:30pm, at Southeast Regional Library, 908 7th Avenue, Garner NC. The registration page is here.

Super Women Working Together Towards Tomorrow

Join this annual fall “Meeting with a Meaning” organized by the Chamber Women’s Business Network and Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber. A panel of distinguished women will share their lessons-learned about leadership and their success. All event profits go to scholarships for women.

This event is Thursday, November 9, 2017, 11:30am-1pm, at the Hinnant Family Vineyards, 826 Pine Level-Micro Road, Pine Level NC (Johnston County). Details and registration link may be found at www.smithfieldselma.com/events.

Advertise You: Preparing an Elevator Pitch for Yourself

Description: “Learn how to make the most of a short interaction. We all know that first impressions are everything, but sometimes you only get a few minutes to sell yourself.” The workshop is part of a series presented by the Young Professionals of the Twin Counties and is scheduled for Friday, November 10, 2017, 12:30-1:30pm. This seminar is being held at Gateway Technology Center, 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount NC. Sign up via this Google Docs form. Find out more at www.twincountiesnc.com/yopro, or on their Facebook page.

Global Entrepreneurship Events

On Saturday, November 11, 2017, the Small Business Center at Nash Community College will be offering free business workshops as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. The Small Business Center sessions on November 11 are designed to help build and shape the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nash County. Visit the Small Business Center website, and click the link for “Register for Global Entrepreneurship Events”.

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

For those considering opening a small business, this SCORE workshop will teach what it takes, what challenges and pitfalls new business owners might expect, and what proven steps can be taken to increase the chance of success. Explore “how to test the feasibility of your idea to ensure it’s the RIGHT one.”

Scheduled for Tuesday, November 15, 2017, 6:30-8:30pm, at East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale NC. Register here.

Red Ribbon Small Business Showcase

These special events showcase multiple home-based, small business owners at a table-top style “ribbon cutting” event. The next is Thursday, November 16, 2017, 11:30am-1pm, in the Pavilion at Knightdale Station Park, 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale NC. Showcase is free and open to the public; come and meet these business owners and see their products/services.  To participate, register with the Knightdale Chamber via the link on this page.

Note that the Town of Knightdale holds weekly Food Truck Thursdays and a food truck will be open 11:30am-1:30pm near the Pavilion.

Basic Proposal Writing for Doing Business with the Federal Government

A free government contracting seminar to help you expand your business. Offered by Nash Community College’s Small Business Center and the North Carolina Military Business Center. Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 6-9pm. Held in the Nash Community College Continuing Education and Public Safety Building, Room 8255, 3866 Eastern Avenue, Rocky Mount NC. Details here.

Area Chambers/Organizations

Links are included for business organizations in or near the five-county area of North Carolina:

 

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About Kay Whatley 2309 Articles
Kay Whatley serves as Editor and Reporter with The Grey Area News. Kay is a published author with over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. Kay Whatley is wife to Frank Whatley, founder of The Grey Area™ newspaper and The Grey Area News online news website.