Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Buncombe County is seeking project ideas to help the community recover from and respond to COVID-19 and its negative economic impacts. Nonprofits and public organizations can submit projects now for consideration to be funded by federal COVID Recovery Funding. This is the second Request for Proposals issued by the County as part of COVID Recovery Funding, which Buncombe County was allocated $50.7M through the American Rescue Plan Act. So far, the county has awarded $23.1M to 27 projects, leaving $27.6 M available still to award.
Buncombe County Commissioners have selected ten categories for this round of proposals:
- Affordable Housing
- Aging/Older Adults
- Business Support/Economic Development
- Environment/Climate
- Homelessness
- K-12 Education
- Infrastructure and/or Broadband
- Mental Health/Substance Use
- NC Pre-K Expansion
- Workforce
If you are interested in applying, the deadline is Tuesday, April 12 at noon. Learn more here.
The county is also holding a workshop that will help you better understand what projects the County is looking to fund and best practices on creating a successful application. Learn more about the scope of projects Buncombe County is looking for and have a chance to ask questions. All questions and responses from the session will be posted in the form of an addendum, and a recording of the session will be published.
The virtual funding workshop will be held on Monday, March 14 from 1:30-3 p.m. Register here.
Workshops | Networking Sessions | Tradeshow | Food | Entertainment
The WNC Minority Business Association is honored to announce the inaugural WNC Black Business Expo – a trade show, networking and learning event focusing on minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs – April 8-10, 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Asheville, NC.
With an overarching theme of “Inspiring and Motivating the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs”, the event will feature visionary guest speakers, educational workshops, networking sessions, and a business showcase for minority-owned businesses and start-ups.
A trade show, networking and learning event designed for minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, the ground-breaking convention will showcase such industry leaders as Adrian Miller, national food writer and James Beard Award winner; Robyn Hatcher, author and CEO of SpeakEtc. who has appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America; Precious L. Williams, a 13-time national elevator pitch champion who has been featured on Shark Tank, CNN, Forbes and Black Enterprise magazines; and Keya Hamilton, actor, writer and director best known for her role in the Hallmark Christmas movie Christmas in Harmony; Mariah Street, a licensed attorney in North Carolina and CEO of Legacy Street Law; and Sandhya Maheshwari, a much-sought-after DreamBuilder life coach with a commerce degree from Bombay University.
Others scheduled to speak at the WNC Black Business Expo include Asheville’s own Jason A. Muhammad, founder of JM Leadership Development who works with emerging leaders through workshops and seminars; Alex Cardona, another Asheville resident who owns his own legal service business and hosts a business radio show, the Golden Key on Biz Radio Asheville; Dakota Grady, a financial coach, professional speaker and author who teaches the class, The 6 Steps to Managing Your Money; Jasmine Dixx, owner and founder of Simply J Beauty who stresses the importance of skin care and self-care for business owners and entrepreneurs; Reggie Tidwell, an award-winning designer and photographer, and founding president of AIGA Asheville; and Chi Chi Okezie, owner and producer of SIMPLEnetworking, which teaches college students, companies and organizations how to polish their professional approach.
“We are extremely excited about the group of speakers assembled for this first-ever event,” said Rika Harrison, founder and board member of the Western Business Association with more than 20 years experience working in the private sector and as an entrepreneur. “The response from sponsors, minority-owned businesses and attendees has been amazing. I think this Expo is an idea long overdue and much needed for this region of the state.”
Harrison, an advertising representative for the Tribune Papers and editorial committee member of The Envoy Magazine, is the founder of the WNC Black Business Expo which will feature three days of educational workshops, a kickoff social, professional networking, panel discussions, and food and entertainment.
The event has attracted 47 sponsors to date, headed by top-tier supporters Western Women’s Center, NC Idea Foundation, Lenoir-Rhyne University and Western Carolina University.
The WNCMBA is currently seeking sponsorships, supporters, and vendors for the event. Sponsorship tiers include:
- $25,000+ Premiere Sponsor
- $10,000 Benefactor
- $5,000 Advocate
- $3,000 Ally
- $1,000 Supporter
The Minority Business Association is a non-profit organization created to advocate and promote the development of minority-owned businesses in Western North Carolina through networking events, workshops, and annual business expos.
Buncombe County is seeking project ideas to help the community recover from and respond to COVID-19 and its negative economic impacts. Nonprofits and public organizations can submit projects now for consideration to be funded by federal COVID Recovery Funding. This is the second Request for Proposals issued by the County as part of COVID Recovery Funding, which Buncombe County was allocated $50.7M through the American Rescue Plan Act. So far, the county has awarded $23.1M to 27 projects, leaving $27.6 M available still to award.
Buncombe County Commissioners have selected ten categories for this round of proposals:
- Affordable Housing
- Aging/Older Adults
- Business Support/Economic Development
- Environment/Climate
- Homelessness
- K-12 Education
- Infrastructure and/or Broadband
- Mental Health/Substance Use
- NC Pre-K Expansion
- Workforce
If you are interested in applying, the deadline is Tuesday, April 12 at noon. Learn more here.
The county is also holding a workshop that will help you better understand what projects the County is looking to fund and best practices on creating a successful application. Learn more about the scope of projects Buncombe County is looking for and have a chance to ask questions. All questions and responses from the session will be posted in the form of an addendum, and a recording of the session will be published.
The virtual funding workshop will be held on Monday, March 14 from 1:30-3 p.m. Register here.
Buncombe County is seeking project ideas to help the community recover from and respond to COVID-19 and its negative economic impacts. Nonprofits and public organizations can submit projects now for consideration to be funded by federal COVID Recovery Funding. This is the second Request for Proposals issued by the County as part of COVID Recovery Funding, which Buncombe County was allocated $50.7M through the American Rescue Plan Act. So far, the county has awarded $23.1M to 27 projects, leaving $27.6 M available still to award.
Buncombe County Commissioners have selected ten categories for this round of proposals:
- Affordable Housing
- Aging/Older Adults
- Business Support/Economic Development
- Environment/Climate
- Homelessness
- K-12 Education
- Infrastructure and/or Broadband
- Mental Health/Substance Use
- NC Pre-K Expansion
- Workforce
If you are interested in applying, the deadline is Tuesday, April 12 at noon. Learn more here.
The county is also holding a workshop that will help you better understand what projects the County is looking to fund and best practices on creating a successful application. Learn more about the scope of projects Buncombe County is looking for and have a chance to ask questions. All questions and responses from the session will be posted in the form of an addendum, and a recording of the session will be published.
The virtual funding workshop will be held on Monday, March 14 from 1:30-3 p.m. Register here.
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(You do not need to have attended Part 1 to attend Part 2)
Linkedin is growing exponentially. It’s also the most business-relevant social media platform. In this session we will continue to review:
- What is Linkedin
- How to best setup and leverage your personal Linkedin Profile towards your personal goals
- How to best setup and leverage a Linkedin Company Page
- Types of content you can post
- Live Q&A
And we will continue deeper in Part 2 as we talk about:
- Best practices for posting, content, and engagement
- How to grow your business using Linkedin if you are a B2B business yourself (meaning, you service other businesses primarily)
- What is tagging?
- Live Q&A
Speaker(s): Aaron Wesley Means
Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce
Webinar info will be emailed after registration
No cost due to sponsor support
(You do not need to have attended Part 1 to attend Part 2)
Linkedin is growing exponentially. It’s also the most business-relevant social media platform. In this session we will continue to review:
- What is Linkedin
- How to best setup and leverage your personal Linkedin Profile towards your personal goals
- How to best setup and leverage a Linkedin Company Page
- Types of content you can post
- Live Q&A
And we will continue deeper in Part 2 as we talk about:
- Best practices for posting, content, and engagement
- How to grow your business using Linkedin if you are a B2B business yourself (meaning, you service other businesses primarily)
- What is tagging?
- Live Q&A
Speaker(s): Aaron Wesley Means
Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce
Webinar info will be emailed after registration
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This monthly event, co-sponsored with Blue Ridge Community College’s Small Business Center, the City of Hendersonville Main Street program, and the Hendersonville Merchants & Business Association features several speakers on timely community events and issues affecting our business community.
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No cost due to sponsor support
A great seminar for the “beginner”, small business owner, or the entrepreneur wanting to make eBay a primary business tool. During this fast-paced session, learn best practices to use when setting up an account, listing items for sale, taking payments, and shipping. Topics will include eBay appraisals and research, registering on eBay and starting a seller’s account, choosing formats & categories, writing descriptions that sell, submitting photos, feedback, starting up and using a PayPal account, shipping tips and pricing philosophies that will make you an eBay Top Rated Seller!
Speaker(s): Nick Hawks
Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce
Webinar info will be emailed after registration
No cost due to sponsor support
A great seminar for the “beginner”, small business owner, or the entrepreneur wanting to make eBay a primary business tool. During this fast-paced session, learn best practices to use when setting up an account, listing items for sale, taking payments, and shipping. Topics will include eBay appraisals and research, registering on eBay and starting a seller’s account, choosing formats & categories, writing descriptions that sell, submitting photos, feedback, starting up and using a PayPal account, shipping tips and pricing philosophies that will make you an eBay Top Rated Seller!
Speaker(s): Nick Hawks
Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce
Webinar info forthcoming
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No cost due to sponsor support
WordPress now powers 42% of the internet! If you’ve always wanted to build a blog yourself or if you just need to brush up on your WordPress skills, this class is for you. We’ll talk a little about the history of WordPress and how this platform has evolved over the years into the powerful website/blog builder that it is. Join Boomer Sassmann, owner of Big Boom Design, as he walks you through the setup process, adding content and images, building menus, theme/plugin selection and all around WordPress best practices. This class specifically focuses on how to structure a WordPress site to be presented as a blogging platform.
Speaker(s): Boomer Sassmann
Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce
Webinar info will be emailed after registration
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Flat Rock Building, Room 203
In-person Only
No cost due to sponsor support
Gain a workable knowledge of how to properly record financial transactions for your business. Discover the three most important financial reports and how to use them to make the best-informed business decisions. If you’re a new business owner or need a refresher on the basics of accounting, this seminar is designed for you.
Speaker(s): Michelle Tracz
Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce
Webinar info will be emailed after registration
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Take your Business to the Next Level with the Mission Accelerator Program
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Companies in 2022 will face a business landscape disrupted by a pandemic: staffing issues, supply chain issues, new business models, shift in consumer purchasing patterns, revenue disruptions, and new applications of tech just to name a few.
The 2022 Mission Accelerator class can help organizations you know develop new tools and strategies to proactively successfully navigate the ever changing business environment that 2022 will be.
Registration is open through January 24th. The program begins January 26th and will meet every-other Wednesday from 8:30 am – 1 pm through June 1st. The cost for the program is $295.
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Not sure if your business could benefit from this program? Take the self-assessment below to rate your success.
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Blue Ridge Community College and the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce have partnered once again to offer the Mission Acceleration Business Accelerator, a five-month, ten-course program.
January 26, 2022
Business Best Practices and KPI (Key Performance Indicators) Checklist by Department Identifying Opportunities for Acceleration
February 9, 2022
Management and Leadership
February 23, 2022
Human Resources, Legal and Insurance
March 9, 2022
Capital and Purchasing
March 23, 2022
Competition and Competitive Advantage
April 6, 2022
Branding, Marketing and Sales
April 20, 2022
Customer Service and Information Technology
May 4, 2022
Business Logistics: Best ways to meet customer needs
May 18, 2022
Accounting and Finance
June 1, 2022
Business Acceleration Plan Presentation and Graduation
Sessions run Wednesdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. except 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on January 26.
Cost for the course is $295.
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Join business and community leaders on our Intercity Visit to gather best practices and generate ideas to make Asheville an even better place to live, work and play. This is an incredible opportunity to make key connections with the area’s most influential civic and business leaders.
We’ll learn how Chattanooga earned its nickname “Gig City” and how investment in tech infrastructure has sparked innovation. We’ll hear about the riverfront revitalization and initiatives to address downtown cleanliness and safety in “River City.” And we’ll explore how Chattanooga is addressing issues like childcare and workforce development. We’ll also get a taste of the area’s art and culture.
Cost is $600 per person and includes round-trip ground transportation from Asheville to Chattanooga by Young Transportation charter bus, six (6) meals (including a fabulous welcome dinner at The Feed Co. Table & Tavern), an evening reception at State of Confusion and tour of Chattanooga Whiskey.
Participants must make their own hotel reservations. A discounted rate has been secured at the Westin Chattanooga at $169/night. To secure this rate, hotel reservations must be made by March 22, 2022. Make your hotel reservations here: Asheville Intercity Visit
Event registration and full payment deadline is March 21, 2022 to secure participation. A complete itinerary will be sent to all registrants two weeks before departure.
Questions? Please contact Desiree Monstrola at [email protected]
No cost due to sponsor support
This webinar will help participants better understand their withholding tax obligations with NCDOR. Participants will receive instructions on how to file and when to file a withholding tax return in addition to learning about the basics of state withholding taxes, how to register for an account in order to remit withholding tax, and when State withholding is required for employees and other types of compensation.
Speaker(s): NCDOR
Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce
Webinar info will be emailed after registration
For Freelancers by Freelancers
#FBW is designed to embrace the local freelance ethos of each city it is hosted in, this year we will meet the challenge of extending this mission – virtually and in person. The local organizers in WNC, Austin, Calgary, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Miami, Tampa, and Washington DC are collaborating, bringing local freelance business owners, leaders and supporters together for five days to expand your network.
What to Expect
You can expect a week of expertise & resources, camaraderie & connections to include:
Motivation Monday morning Haywood County Chamber of Commerce Ribbon cutting at the Haywood Community College Creative Arts Building and an evening Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting taking place at MtnBizworks with an official proclamation by the Mayor of Asheville. Followed immediately by a social at Focal Point Coworking. This event will be free and open to all. However, there is limited capacity.
Tech Tuesday will feature content around the more technical aspects of business, devices, and platforms. Sessions at the Haywood Community College Small Business Center, Hatch Innovation Hub, and Westbase Coworking.
Wellness Wednesday will focus on content around work-life balance, mindset, and health. Sessions at Haywood Community College Smal Business Center, Asheville Yoga Center, and the Botanical Gardens.
Thriving Thursday will be a day-long affair featuring talks, workshops, and panels along with networking and resource tabling. Sessions all day at the Mojo Social Hall.
Fun & Failure Friday will explore the importance of play in our work, celebrating wins and embracing fun and failures. Sessions at Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Haywood Community College Smal Business Center and will wrap up with an afterparty at Franny’s Farm. Wanna make Friday an overnight or weekend stay at Franny’s Farm? Grab one of their cabins or campsites while they last.
All sessions are limited capacity, first come first serve. Once you purchase a ticket, you can create an agenda within the emamo event platform of sessions you want to attend but this does not guarantee you a seat at every session. Sessions at Haywood Community College Smal Business Center and Mojo Social Hall have the highest capacity.
(All programming and scheduling are subject to change. We will be following all current local guidelines on Covid safety at the time of the event.)
Overview of your event info.
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Freelance Business Week Asheville 2022April 18th-22nd | Part of a larger national initiative, #FBWAVL will include networking events, workshops, and interactive panel discussions on topics designed to help you grow your one-person business as an independent professional. Want to be kept in the loop about Freelance Business Week Asheville 2022? Freelance Business Week Asheville 2022 Intake (mailchi.mp) |
Andrea Kulish, artist and activist whose family is from Ukraine, talks about her Ukrainian pysanky eggs and how to help immediately in Ukraine. These small, intimate discussions include a Meet + Greet at 11:30 am; presentation and discussion from noon-1 pm at Artsville Collective at Marquee. 36 Foundy in the RAD.
From Andrea:
“I am a member of the Ukrainian National Womens’ League of America. We are collecting funds for Humanitarian Aid.100% goes to four hospitals in Ukraine to help wounded soldiers and displaced civilians in Ukraine.”
Donate here: https://unwla.org/top-news/call-for-humanitarian-aid/
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Citizen Vinyl and Asheville Music School have teamed up for a silent auction fundraiser to benefit Asheville Music School’s Play It Forward capital campaign. Tickets are only $10 to attend and include light bites and two drink tickets. There is also a cash bar serving cocktails, wine, and local beer. Tickets available online here: https://bit.ly/AMSSilentAuction
Up for bidding will be luxury regional experiences, vacation getaways, wine tasting events, fine jewelry, pampering packages, restaurant and wellness gift certificates, concert tickets and more.
This event raises funds for Asheville Music School’s Play It Forward capital campaign, securing their new facility in West Asheville. In addition to necessary upfits to our new space, we will be developing a music production studio (the AMS Sound Lab) in which students will learn to use modern music technology, equipment, and techniques. This new multi-use studio will allow us to offer group lessons, add additional programming with neighboring schools, and will serve as a rehearsal room with professional sound.
Asheville Music School is the largest nonprofit music school of its kind in Western North Carolina, serving over 300 students annually and providing sustainable and rewarding work for dozens of music educators. We offer private music lessons, band and ensemble classes, summer camps, master classes, and workshops for all ages and income levels. As a community school, our mission is to keep music education accessible to all, regardless of economic barriers. We accomplish our goals by offering need-based scholarships, an instrument-lending library, and by operating an outreach program that connects AMS students and teachers with the most vulnerable populations in our community.