Join us in celebrating outstanding women in business!  This fall, we will gather in the lovely, historic Grove Park Inn to make valuable connections and learn from other women who have made significant strides in their careers while offering valuable support to others in the workplace and greater community.

The year 2023 is also the Chamber’s 125th Anniversary year, and our WomanUP Celebration will feature historical as well as forward-thinking elements to inspire, support and engage women in our region.

We’re looking forward to celebrating with you!

Outstanding Women in Business Awards:

• Outstanding Woman Nonprofit Leader, presented by TD Bank
• Woman Executive of the Year Award, presented by MAHEC
• Women Entrepreneurs, Best in Business Award, presented by Webb Investments Services, Inc.
• Rising Star Young Woman Professional Award, presented by Western Carolina University
• Impact Award, presented by Kudzu Brands
• STEM Award, presented by Pratt & Whitney
• Suzanne DeFerie Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by First Bank

Nominations will be accepted beginning in early July. Submit a nomination here: WomanUP Award Nominations

Deadline to submit nominations is August 10.

WomanUP is an initiative from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce focused on women in business who wish to build a strong network of women intent on inspiring one another to achieve individual potential; supporting each other in business endeavors; and creating a legacy through mentorship.

Chamber Event Refund Policy:  The Chamber requires payment in advance for admission to all Chamber events. Chamber event fees (regardless of attendance) are refundable only if a cancellation notice is received at least two weeks prior to the event. Event Refund & Photo Policy

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)

Wanna hear the best local music ​and​ drink the best local beers? Hop aboard LaZoom’s Purple Bus and rock out with a local band while we take you on a journey to Asheville’s premiere local breweries.

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)

Kids’ Comedy Tour: Wildly funny, this educational and entertaining tour features the perfect blend of Asheville’s history and kid-centric comedy. Geared specifically toward the 5–12 year old crowd, you’ll explore the town with our famously outlandish tour guides leading the way.

• Perfect for birthday parties
• Makes for memorable school field trips
• Tickets are $27 per person
• Beverages available for purchase at the LaZoom Room
• Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue

Wanna hear the best local music ​and​ drink the best local beers? Hop aboard LaZoom’s Purple Bus and rock out with a local band while we take you on a journey to Asheville’s premiere local breweries.

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)

Celebrate the women in your life with women-centric networking. Athena of Henderson County presents this unique and informal networking opportunity designed to inspire and connect women. No entrance fee – just bring your business cards and enjoy expanding your network!

Join us this month at The Main Event, the new downtown venue, owned and operated by Brittany Bettini.

2023 Empower Hours are Presented by Beverly-Hanks & Associates – Ali Thomas.

Networking begins at 7:45 AM
Program begins at 8:00 AM

This monthly event is 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.

Coffee & Networking 8:30am

Program 9-11:30am

Program Overview:

• The French Broad River Partnership is a collaboration of business, nonprofit, and government stakeholders all interested in the water quality and economic impact of the watershed in our region.
• Our 5th Annual Meeting will be held the morning of Wednesday, November 8th at the A-B Tech main campus with an expected attendance of 100 to 150 people.
• The 2.5 hour program features three moderated panel discussions on The French Broad River Watershed :: The Intersection of the Environment + Economy.
• Our panels include: State + Local Elected Officials and Government, Industry Stakeholders, and Business + Tourism leaders.
• The moderated panel discussions are designed to be energetic, informative, collaborative, and representative of multiple perspectives followed by a brief audience Q&A.

Please join us November 8 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Ferguson Auditorium on A-B Tech’s main campus for a series of panel discussions as part of the French Broad River Partnership’s Annual Meeting. This event is free and open to the public and we greatly encourage you to attend.

Thank you in advance and for your ongoing support.

With gratitude,

Lisa Raleigh, RiverLink Exec. Director

Panel 1 :: State + Local Elected Officials and Government

• NC Senator Julie Mayfield
• Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer
• Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers
• Henderson County Manager John Mitchell
• Moderator: Gray Jernigan, Deputy Director & General Counsel, MountainTrue

Panel 2 :: Major Industry Stakeholders

• FBR MPO – Tristan Winkler, Director at Land-of-Sky Regional Council
• Pratt + Whitney — Michelle Ragland, Environment, Health, and Safety Manager
• Duke Energy — Maverick Raber, Manager Environmental Science
• Asheville Brewer — Brock Ashburn, VP Highland Brewing
• Agricultural – Dr. Jennifer Harrison, BC Agriculture and Land Resources Director
• Moderator: Preston Jacobsen, ED Haywood Waterways Association

Panel 3 :: Business + Tourism

• Buncombe County Explore Asheville – Vic Isley, CEO + President
• Asheville Chamber of Commerce – Clark Duncan, Senior VP of Econ. Development
• Black Wall Street AVL – J Hackett, Founder
• Transylvania Tourism Development Authority – Clark Lovelace, ED
• Blue Heron Whitewater – Fritz Johnson, Co-Owner
• Biltmore Company — Chase Pickering, VP Guest Experiences + Operations
• Moderator: Lisa Raleigh, ED RiverLink

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)

Asheville’s only and original DRAG QUEEN BAR CRAWL!
Experience Asheville’s one-of-a-kind Drag Queen Bar Crawl, a unique fundraiser supporting local non-profit organizations. “Beer Flight” offers an unparalleled opportunity to discover the vibrant craft brewery scene of Beer City while enjoying the delightful company of our hilarious drag queen flight attendant. Perfect for special occasions, including birthdays, weddings, and even divorce parties, this event promises a memorable and enjoyable experience for all fans of drag and beer alike. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to support local non-profits and have a blast doing it!

The two-hour tour promises a side-splittingly funny experience, featuring:

• The beer! The drag queen! FUN!
• 2-3 Flights of craft beer/seltzer/wine/sours ($45 value)
• Souvenir sticker ($5 value)
• Mid-flight snack (priceless!)
• VIP seats at an after-party event*
• No cover and no waiting at venues
• Photo ops with your drag queen guide
• See FAQs at the bottom of this page
• *After-party not available on all tours; ask!

Prepare for takeoff as Bearded Lady Productions presents a first-class “beer flight” bar crawl tour featuring the company of a hilarious drag queen wannabe flight attendant. You won’t want to miss this two-hour tour, where you’ll get to enjoy fine brews, seltzers, wines, and sours from multiple iconic downtown breweries, all while being entertained by a fabulous drag queen leading the way. Tickets for the first-class “beer flight” tour include the tour itself, all beverages along the route, fun surprises, and other perks. Seating is limited, so book your tickets now at https://www.AshevilleDragBrunch.com. You won’t want to miss this chance to experience the best of Asheville’s craft brewing scene while being entertained by a top-notch fabulous queen.

The tour has multiple dates and most tours end with VIP seats at a 2-hour special event, drag karaoke or drag music bingo. And don’t worry if a real airplane is not available for the tour, as the one-mile trip will be on foot. But that won’t stop you from experiencing the high-flying adventure that “Beer Flight” has planned for you. The after-party event is not available on all tours, so be sure to ask about it when booking your ticket. This is the perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening, so grab your friends and get ready for an unforgettable experience. The sky’s the limit with this unique first-class experience!

Upon arrival at one of Asheville’s premier craft breweries, guests will be greeted by a world-class drag queen who will serve as their stewardess for the night. As guests wait for the “flight” to board, they will have the opportunity to mingle with their fellow passengers. The tour will then take off, with the drag queen leading the way through the vibrant streets of Asheville. Although a real airplane may not be available, all seats are first-class and drinks are included. Guests will be treated like royalty, with no cover and no waiting at the breweries along the route, and a guided tasting of each flight.

The YPHC’s Monthly Social offers a chance for those professionals under 40 to meet through a laid-back networking opportunity. Months will rotate with guest speakers and professional development opportunities as well. Join us each month at Dry Falls Brewing Co.