Calendar of Events

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains while traveling along the Tennessee and Nantahala (nan-tuh-HAY-luh) River.The historic trellis bridge Fontana Trestle takes you across Fontana Lake and into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Onboard dining is available by selecting our First Class Seating option or pre-purchasing one of our boxed lunches, an amazing unique moving dining experience. Arrive at our layover destination in the heart of the Nantahala Gorge for a one-hour layover where you can relax by the river or enjoy sightseeing!

We are operating under all current COVID-19 safety guidelines and ask that you follow all protocols. Find the information HERE! *Please be aware dining options are currently not available at your layover destination. You are advised to enjoy onboard dining by pre-purchasing a box lunch meal option along with your train tickets.*

Plan on being here by 1 hour before your departure.

A good business plan will provide the platform to take your business to the next level and optimize your results.  A plan identifies the strategy, resources and actions needed to achieve improved success.

The seminar will cover the key result areas of a business such as:

• legal entity structure alternatives
• the critical importance of having a competitive edge
• how to effectively perform market analysis
• how to plan and manage cash flow
• how to more effectively manage your human resources and much more

The seminar will be conducted by business consultant Bob Papes and the legal structure perspective will be presented by Anderson Ellis, Attorney with Van Winkle Law. Through Bob’s extensive operational and financial corporate management experience, he has helped more than seventy businesses improve their results.  This is an exceptional opportunity to re-energize your business.  Also, Bob will give you information about the upcoming Chamber’s Business Plan Contest that you will want to consider entering.

Contracts: Why the Heck do I Need them for My Small Business?

This beginner-level seminar offers participants an opportunity to learn about small business contracts, why they are needed, and how to read them. Small business attorney, Kristy Cook of Mod Law Firm, brings her near decade experience in contract law and management to this session with the goal of teaching attendees to:

• Understand the basics of contract law and the legal basics of a contract;
• Understand the different types of contracts common to small businesses, including the difference between an independent contractor and an employee;
• Identify important elements of contracts and understand what they mean;
• Identify the roles, responsibilities, and opportunities contracting provides to build relationships, set expectations, and balance conflicting priorities;
• Identify when a contract is in breach and what to do about it; and
• Apply negotiation strategies to vendor agreements.

Hey Asheville women! Are you a coder, a developer, a designer, an architect of information? This is a group for Asheville women in tech who want a collaborative and supportive space to bring projects to workshops, participate in tutorials facilitated by other members, spark new ideas, write practice code, and develop cool stuff. Maybe (like me) you’re just getting started, and you wish you could bounce ideas off someone, or just ask them how to center that block of text on the page? You should come! We’ll work it out together. Or maybe you’re a veteran web developer who thinks rookies are brave (possibly foolish) souls with no idea what they’re getting into? Please come tell us all the things you wish someone had told you! Let’s skill-share, meet other women in the biz, learn new things, and give each other a leg up!

We’re on Slack!

The Small Business Center at Blue Ridge Community College is hosting the 2021 WNC Prospering Conference Virtually on Thursday, March 11 from 8 am until 7:30 pm. For small business owners across the country, the last 12 months have been full of challenges. A pandemic and restrictive regulation made it difficult, sometimes impossible, to keep the doors open and remain profitable. One year later and vaccine on the move, hope is in sight. This year’s Prospering Conference will provide you with the tools necessary to thrive in a recovering economy. What has changed in business that will never go back to what it was? What standard pre-COVID small business practices are set to make a resurgence in a move back to normalcy? Join us and prepare your business to thrive in 2021 and beyond.

Conference Agenda: Positioning and Marketing your Brand to thrive in the new post-pandemic economy 8 – 9 AM | Speaker: Gary Heisey, Brand Door Innovation and Resiliency: Reinvent your Path to Success in 2021 9:15 – 10:15 AM | Speaker: Sara Benoit, JB Media Institute A Recipe for Social Media Success 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Speaker: Aaron Wesley Means, ACTIVATE Management Practices for the Small Business Owner during an Economic Recession 12 – 1 PM | Speaker: Bob Papes Using Analytics to Develop your Business Platform 1:15 – 2:15 PM | Speaker: Boomer Sassmann, Big Boom Design Driving Traffic to your Business’ Website using Pay-Per-Click 2:30 – 3:30 PM | Speaker: Boomer Sassmann, Big Boom Design Ever wonder New Success Tools to grow your B2C, B2B and B2G Customer Base 4 – 5 PM | Speaker: Gary Heisey, Brand Door Financial Strategy and Management for

Looking to expand your professional network?

Uneasy about networking?

Mega Networking is for you!

Whether you are a seasoned networker or are overwhelmed by traditional networking minglers, you’ll find a place at Mega Networking. In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, meet face-to-face with business prospects from a variety of industries and gain exposure for your company. Mega Networking takes a structured, “round robin” approach, allowing you to make valuable connections in the course of three hours.

Our friends at Holiday Inn Biltmore West have helped us plan a safe environment for us to host this event. We will provide social distancing by using three rooms for the event, limiting attendees to 4 people per table, and limiting the number of tables in each room. Morning refreshments and coffee will be provided.

Masks will be required and social distancing monitored. Entrance through one door only (look for Chamber signs) and be prepared for a temp check.

Helpful tips:

• Practice your “elevator speech” ahead of time so you can share your most important information in one minute.
• Bring a little something to help others remember you and your business (something visual yet simple, AND your business card).
• Stay “portable” — you’ll be moving from table to table throughout the morning.
• If you’re a newcomer to this event, arrive a little early so you can settle in comfortably at your first table and learn the flow of the event without being rushed.
• Schedule time now on your calendar to follow up soon with those you meet.

Space is limited to 52 attendees.

Cost is $30 per Chamber member, $50 for other attendees.
Limited to 1 attendee per organization and five attendees per business category.

Table Host Sponsorship – $100. Showcase your business with a creative centerpiece and facilitate each round of networking at your table throughout the morning.

Webinar to help you expand your customer base and tap into regional demand for local food.

Whether you are the next generation on the farm obtaining your GAP Certification or an established producer with GAP Certification looking to expand your customer base, this webinar will offer an overview of direct market opportunities and moving toward selling wholesale. Strategies for tapping into regional demand for local food will be discussed.