Please join us on Wednesday, November 3rd as our own Riverbird Research will present a snapshot of key economic indicators and demographic shifts occurring in the Asheville Metro area. A closer look at living costs including the housing market will be examined, as well as the importance of our economic development strategic plan, AVL 5×5, and recent successes strengthening the Asheville economy.

This year, in partnership with the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, Dr. Chris Laney with Economic Modeling Specialists Burning Glass will join us to present an in-depth look at labor market trends affecting businesses nationwide. Dr. Laney is a senior workforce strategist who specializes in workforce and economic development and strategic workforce planning. He works on projects related to industry strategies, labor market demand, and worker availability for workforce development boards throughout the U.S., as well as talent pipeline strategies and legislative priorities.

Since 2010, the Asheville Area Arts Council, has convened the Creative Sector Summit– the region’s only creative industry-specific annual conference.

Planned in partnership with the Arts Coalition, this one-day conference seeks to address major issues impacting the local creative sector. The arts community is currently navigating many challenges, including: racial equity in the arts, the benefits and burdens of local tourism, ongoing pandemic impacts, and the growing gap between wages and cost of living.

The summit will attempt to address these topics through a series of four daytime panels at the Wortham Center. The conference will conclude with an evening State of the Arts Address which will include the presentation of the inaugural John Cram Arts Leadership Award (aka The Crammy).

Arts Equity

Moderated by Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective Managing Artistic Director Stephanie Hickling Beckman
Panelists:

• Asheville Writers in the Schools & Community Executive Director Sekou Coleman
• UNC Asheville Drama Department Chair Lise Kloppel
• Professional Photographer and Fine Artist Micah Mackenzie
• Self-Taught Artist Jenny Pickens

In the wake of last year’s protests, many organizations are working to be more equitable and inclusive. But, are we approaching this in the right way? What does authentic change look like? Panelists will attempt to address these questions and identify the current systems within the creative sector which are limiting racial equity.

Sustainable Tourism

Moderated by Echo Mountain Recording Studio Manager Jessica Tomasin
Panelists:

• Asheville Area Arts Council Executive Director Katie Cornell
• Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority Vice President of Community Engagement Pat Kappas
• Horse & Hero and The Big Crafty Founder/ Owner Justin Rabuck
• Wedge Brewery General Manager and River Arts District Business Association Chair Lucious Wilson

This fall, Thrive Asheville launched an Ideas to Action Leadership Forum, a cohort of more than 30 diverse community leaders who will study the impacts of tourism in-depth, then develop a plan for sustainable solutions. Since Asheville’s vibrant arts scene is a major tourism driver, this panel looks at sustainable tourism through the lens of the creative sector. What is the role the local creative sector could/ should play in sustainable tourism?

Pandemic Impacts

Moderated by The Orange Peel/ Rabbit Rabbit Managing Partner Liz Whalen Tallent
Panelists:

• United Way School Partnerships Manager Marsha Almodovar
• City of Asheville Community Event Manager Jon Fillman
• Wortham Center for the Performing Arts Managing Director Rae Geoffrey
• Artist and Different Wrld Founder Honey Simone

Buncombe County’s 74 creative industries were responsible for over 14,000 jobs and $1.6 B in industry sales in 2019. But last year, over 1,300 jobs were lost in the Arts & Entertainment industry alone– the greatest % of job loss from any industry in BC. Many arts businesses endured over 14 months of closure due to state and local health restrictions, and now arts businesses are on the front lines– enforcing mask mandates, vaccine checks, and COVID testing. The panel takes a closer look at the challenges the arts sector is facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Creative Wages

Moderated by Craft Your Commerce Program Director Gwynne Rukenbrod Smith
Panelists:

• Venture Asheville Director and Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Entrepreneurship Jeff Kaplan
• East Fork CEO and Co-Founder Connie Matisse
• Just Economics Executive Director Vicki Meath
• Curve Theory Owner/ AIGA Chair Reggie Tidwell
  

In 2019, the cost of living in Buncombe County was 1% above the national average and the second-highest in the state, and by 2020, it had changed to 6% above the national average and the highest in the state, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research as reported by the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. Wages on average were also 16% below state averages and 30% below national averages. These discrepancies are even higher when looking at most of the top creative occupations. Panelists will discuss how the creative sector might work proactively to address this growing issue.

Our Foundations business planning class helps guide ideas from concept to reality in a participatory, supportive learning environment.

Join a cohort of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to gain an aerial perspective of your vision and the comprehensive business skills necessary to help bring your visions into reality. Participants will gain a clear aerial perspective of their business operations, financials, research and development, and marketing strategies. They will leave the course with a comprehensive business plan, a clear vision for their business, and concrete tasks for future work.

Throughout the class, emphasis will be placed on developing the social capital of the group. Participants will be encouraged to gather feedback from their peers, creating a strong network of deep support and synergy. For more info, visit the Foundations Business Planning overview page.

September-November 2021 (6 Thursdays/Fridays) Create an online marketing communications strategy and powerhouse digital toolbox by completing six, full-day workshops taught by expert marketing and public relations professionals. Gain new insights into PR & marketing strategy, branding, budgeting, online content creation, video creation and use and social media.

Come join us for the November Business After Hours at Melting Pot Social! They will be serving up Cheese fondue, raclette burger sliders, 6 cheese mac tartlettes, buttermillk chicken & waffle skewers, chocolate fondue, beer and wine. Sip worthy cocktails available for purchase at the bar. Make some new business connections with other Chamber members. Feel free to bring a gift that will be raffled off as door prizes through the evening. Bring your business cards for networking and so you have a chance to win!!!  Melting Pot Social will giveaway a MeltSO basket containing gift cards, a shirt, and more! They will also be offering a gift to all attendees.

Dip into their social dining experience, where they come together over whimsical cocktails and curated bites. From their Kindred Creamery cheddar fondue, to their Sugarlands Root Beer Moonshine, they source only the best quality ingredients. Share dips, pics, and laughs with your favorite people. It’s okay if you crave cheese tonight and soup with salad tomorrow, they’ve got you covered with mouth-watering chocolate and cheese fondues, and so much more! Flambé flatbreads, mouth-watering melted sandwiches, fresh salads, and brunch. They are all about ooey-gooey, cheesy goodness, and inventive cocktails and local craft beer.

Create your own fondue curations with their pick sheet menu, or let their expert chefs recommendations delight you. You’ll discover your whimsical side as you select your own adventure, and sink into perfectly paired bites and sips. Melting Pot Social offers new ways to dip. Creatively plating sharable bites and fondue in a place where it’s not only all right to play with your food – it’s encouraged. Launched in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, their menu goes way beyond fondue. Come melt with them, no reservations required!

Convenient, ample, covered parking is available behind Melting Pot Social at the 11 Sears Alley Parking Garage. Parking is $2 for the first hour and $1 for each additional hour. When parking at the 11 Sears Alley Parking Garage, use their rear restaurant entrance on Commerce Street. Just look for the giant painted mural with their logo, near the corner of Commerce St. and Buncombe St.

This event is offered as a benefit for Chamber membership and no registration is necessary. If you’re considering Chamber membership and would like to attend this event we welcome you to come and check us out! Please contact Jessica Kanupp, our Membership Development Specialist, at [email protected]

Buncombe County is an area of high transmission. In accordance with CDC guidelines and to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or

Join us for Speed Coaching featuring Certified Coaches Wanda Marie and Lesley King. They are both experienced in Business and Life Coaching. To learn more about them, visit CoachWandaMarie.com and LesleyKingEmpower.com. To learn more about the event, visit plrconnectevents.com

September-November 2021 (6 Thursdays/Fridays) Create an online marketing communications strategy and powerhouse digital toolbox by completing six, full-day workshops taught by expert marketing and public relations professionals. Gain new insights into PR & marketing strategy, branding, budgeting, online content creation, video creation and use and social media.

In the market for a new job, looking to change careers, or know someone who is looking for a job? Then make sure to attend Buncombe County’s upcoming job fair. Multiple County departments will be on hand letting you know about what it’s like to work for Buncombe with current openings in human resources, social work, public libraries, law enforcement, the detention facility, information technology, medical office work, nurses, justice services, and more. The event will be kid friendly and even have interviews conducted on site with all levels of positions hiring.

Benefits with a County job:

• Generous vacation, sick, healthy, and personal leave hours that do not expire
• Very competitive health, dental, and vision Insurance (including free preventative screenings)
• Thirteen paid County holidays
• Home Down Payment Assistance Program
• Employee Health Clinic with prescription assistance
• Free unlimited physical therapy
• Longevity pay
• Life insurance
• County discounts
• Free Wellness program
• 8% Employer Contribution to 401(k)
• Retirement pension plan through NC Retirement System
• Eligibility for State Employee Local Credit Union membership
• And more

What: Buncombe County Job Fair

When: Saturday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: 40 Coxe Ave. (Health and Human Services Building), downtown Asheville. Free parking is available

Buncombe County realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture that fully engages all our employees by honoring and building on each employee’s unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

Join our team and make a real difference by doing important work in our community. See what job openings are currently open and fill out an application to expedite your interview process by visiting buncombecounty.org/careers.