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.
The leaders at Mission Health and HCA Healthcare are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion across the organization. As part of their efforts to keep colleagues safe during a pandemic, they transformed their delivery and support of diversity, equity and inclusion through virtual spaces. Join us to learn more about how they:
- Facilitate our Conscious Inclusion course as an award-winning virtual experience
- Discuss examples of biases and microaggressions that could potentially impact the patient, customer, and colleague
- Provide examples of acts of conscious inclusion
- Describe Zoom Fatigue and how to mitigate its effects
The speakers for this event will be Jeremy R. Brooks and Nyema Sayed of HCA Healthcare.
Jeremy is a Senior Diversity & Inclusion Training Specialist and in his eighth year with the HCA Healthcare family. He has a passion for ensuring that humans connect with community through personal story, reflection, and shared learning. Jeremy is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), holding a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and Bachelor degrees in psychology and social work from Troy University. He also serves on the board of directors for Shower The People, the Young Leaders’ Society with the United Way of Greater Nashville, and the advisory board for NeedLink Nashville.
When not engaging colleagues in learning, Jeremy enjoys serving those who are unhoused and volunteering in faith communities in Nashville. He can also be heard cheering for USC Trojans football or scouting out dog parks and hiking trails with his best friends: Rockwell, Molly, & Teddy.
Nyema Sayed is HCA Division Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Lunch will be served.
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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Please join us for a special Goodwill Business Advisory Council meeting where we get a peek inside a part of our local judicial system most people aren’t aware exists. In this meeting, we will hear from leaders that are involved in and guide Buncombe County’s Specialty Courts (Adult Drug Treatment Court, Sobriety Court and Veterans Treatment Court). Our speakers will be:
- The Honorable Judge Marvin Pope
- Kevin Rumley, Veteran, recipient of a Purple Heart medal, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Program Director
- Jillian Davis, CADC-I, Justice Services, Sobriety Court Coordinator
Generally, Goodwill provides lunch at these meetings. But under the current circumstances, this meeting will be a virtual potluck!
Things to do to prepare for the event:
- Support a local restaurant by getting take-out to bring to the event.
- When you join, we encourage you to join with video so we can see your smiling face.
- Bring any questions you may have for this amazing group of speakers.
Once you have registered, a link to the meeting will be sent to you.
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.
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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