The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce will be providing tickets to the WilmingtonBiz Conference & Expo for the first 100 minority business owners that register. If you are not a minority business owner, you must purchase a ticket on the WilmingtonBiz Conference & Expo website.
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Monday, October 4
8:00 – 9:00 am | Video Marketing to Effortlessly Sell Your Products and Services
Presenter: Toya Wilson-Smith, NexGeneration Digital Marketing Agency Inc.
Contact: twsmith@nexgenerationmobile.com
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
This workshop will show participants how to choose the type of video that best fits their online marketing goals. Attendees will learn organic and paid engagement strategies for growing your email list. We will also review how to analyze metrics for video engagement and tools to edit existing video assets to perform well on current social networks. We will conclude with a question-and-answer session about the latest video marketing strategies to increase visibility efforts. Attendees will also receive a video development cheat sheet to get started quickly.
9:30 – 10:30 am | Creating Positive Workspaces
Presenter: Stefanie Adams, WNY People Development
Contact: stefanie@wnypeopledevelopment.com
Location: Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Address: 1 Estell Lee Place Wilmington, NC 28401
In this interactive presentation, participants will learn the value of positive workspaces, and discover why happy employees are more productive and innovative. Basic engagement ideas and activities that motivate and build morale will be shared; teams of all sizes, in any industry, can benefit by implementing the simple strategies provided in this session.
11:00 – 12:00 pm | Optimizing Your Website for More Traffic
Presenter: Logan Lenz, Awesome Website Guys
Contact: logan@awesomewebsiteguys.com
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
In this session, Logan Lenz from Awesome Website Guys will highlight why a website can be a business' strongest asset. In an effort to leverage today's digital economy, you'll learn website optimization strategies and digital marketing best practices. These days, every brand has an opportunity to connect with their audience online. Don't miss out on capturing yours.
12:30 – 1:30 pm | Stabilization and Growth for Your Food Business
Presenter: Dani Black, Bigger Tables Culinary and Service Consulting
Contact: daniblack@biggertables.com
Location: Genesis Block
Address: 20 Wrights Aly, Wilmington, NC 28401
The first few years in the life of a business are as crucial as the first miles of an ocean crossing: “all hands on deck”, an eye to the weather, and you wonder if you have what it takes to get all the way across.
Once your business is underway and you’re working harder than you ever thought you could, how do you stay focused on forward motion? How do you respond if (when) it’s not going the way you thought it would?
With some frank talk and lively interaction, this session invites you to assess “seaworthiness” with a clear-eyed look at the challenges of entrepreneurship and the importance of keeping your intentions aligned with your actions.
12:30 – 1:30 pm | Contracting 101: Selling to the Government
Presenter: Scott Barker, Government Contracting Assistance Program - SBTDC
Contact: rsbarker@ncsu.edu
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
This seminar is designed to help companies understand some strategies to become more competitive in the world of government contracting. It will primarily focus on federal contracting opportunities, exploring strategies to locate and win contracts – either as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor. We will discuss some strategies to pursue realistic subcontracting opportunities. As a result of participating in this training, you will be able to: 1) Identify/locate contract opportunities that are realistic for your company; 2) Understand how the government describes what it needs; 3) Get your registrations and certifications completed; 4) Target those prime contractors seeking to be included on their vendor roles for future subcontracting opportunities.
2:00 – 3:00 pm | Your First Follower: A Primer for Start-Up Founders
Presenter: Dr. Cynthia DeVita-Cochrane, SBTDC
Contact: ccdevita@ncsu.edu
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
Most of the credit for starting a business goes to the founder. But, if a business owner wants to grow their business, they cannot do all the work on their own - at some point, you have to hire an employee, or get a partner, or connect with a team. This choice is often a stumbling block for founders and entrepreneurs. In this workshop, we will gain some tips and tools for how to make sure your first follower is your best decision, after starting your business.
3:30 – 4:30 pm | Minorities in Marine Science and Ocean Entrepreneurship
Presenter: Michael Atkinson, NC A&T
Contact: newsomec@uncw.edu
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
Join us for Minorities in Marine Science and Ocean Entrepreneurship, as we will learn more about creating pathways for minority students to find success in starting marine-based businesses. This panel will feature at least two minority students who have engaged in the NC A&T and UNCW Blue Economy collaborative program.
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Tuesday, October 5
7:30 – 9:30 am | Coalition Roundtables
Presenter: The Small Business Coalition
Contact: rkaiser@wilmingtonbiz.com
Location: CFCC Daniels Hall
Address: 502 N Front Street Wilmington, NC 28401
The Coalition, which is composed of more than a dozen groups devoted to the growth of entrepreneurs and small businesses in the region, is hosting a special breakfast event. This breakfast includes subject matter experts from a range of industries to assist small business owners, their employees and others in the community. Each attendee has the opportunity to take part in up to three roundtable discussions.
9:00 – 12:00 pm | Google for Your Business Mini-Summit
Presenter: Melanie Diehl, Melanie & Co Marketing Collective
Jeanne Eury, 8 Arms Group
Tangie Fleming, TGF Consulting, Inc
Contact: melanie@melaniediehl.com, Jeanne@8ArmsGroup.com, tangie@tgf-consulting.com
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
Help people - and Google - find your business online! Learn from three experts how to leverage your Google My Business listing, improve your SEO, and optimize your website. You will leave this mini-summit armed with easy, free, and low-cost ways to improve your online presence.
10:00 – 11:00 am | Recursos Gratuitos para Desarrollar Ideas de Negocios en la Región de Cape Fear.
Presenter: April Scott, Brunswick County Community College
Jerry Coleman, Cape Fear Small Business Center
Heather McWhorter, UNCW SBTDC
Dennis McGrew, Cape Fear SCORE
Contact: scotta@brunswickcc.edu
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
¿Has pensado en fundar tu propia Empresa? ¿Has pensado en ampliar o darle otra cara a un Negocio que ya creaste? Sabías que tienes recursos gratuitos en la región que te pueden ayudar con esto? En este evento, te vamos a explicar cómo aprovecharlos. Los presentadores del Brunswick Community College Small Business Center (SBC), Cape Fear SBC, UNCW Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) y SCORE presentarán una descripción general de los servicios y explicarán cómo debes inscribirte para recibir asistencia.
La sesión se presentará en inglés y será traducida.
Patrocinado por el Consejo Empresarial Latinoamericano.
11:00 – 12:00 pm | Positioning Mental Health in your Business Plan for Success
Presenter: Crystal Pellom, MA, LCMHC, Coastal Horizons
Contact: cpellom@coastalhorizons.org
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
Work-related stress occurs when the demands from running your business are greater than your capacity to manage them. While stress isn't the same thing as mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, excessive or long-term stress can increase your risk of developing a mental health condition. In this session, we will talk to black women entrepreneurs about self-care management and mental health.
12:00 – 1:00 pm | YouTube Advertising to Scale Your Business on a Budget
Presenter: Toya Wilson-Smith, NexGeneration Digital Marketing Agency Inc.
Contact: twsmith@nexgenerationmobile.com
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
Learn everything you need to know to get started with advertising on YouTube. We will cover video creation and targeting the right audience to how to legally take traffic from your competition. In addition, we'll show you exactly how to set up your Google ads account and where to go to get more help if you need it directly from YouTube.
1:30 – 2:30 pm | “Are Your Materials 4 Months Delayed? Is your Supply Chain Broken?”: A discussion of Supply Chain Needs and Anomalies
Presenter: Rebecca Scott, UNCW
Contact: Scottra@uncw.edu
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
Every Industry from Bourbon to Auto Manufacturing has been impacted by Supply Chain Disruptions. Rising prices and shutdowns due to Supply Chain irregularities are commonplace. This discussion will look at factors influencing the disruptions and where they will lead in the future.
3:00 – 4:00 pm | Put The National Resources of the US Small Business Administration To Work for YOUR Business (It's easier than you think!)
Presenter: Don Spry, Small Business Administration
Contact: don.spry@sba.gov
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
In this overview of the SBA, learn about SBA alternative capital lending programs, how to qualify for lending assistance, natural disaster preparation and lending, take advantage of SBA managed procurement programs (HUBZONE and 8a) to help market your business to the federal government for women, minority owned, disabled veterans, and those lacking net worth of under $250k.
5:30 – 7:30 pm | Intentional Collisions
Presenter: Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Contact: info@wilmingtonchamber.org
Location: TRU Colors
Address: 715 Greenfield St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Intentional Collisions is a program of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce in partnership with our minority business councils with a goal of bringing people together who may not interact in everyday life. We will intentionally collide you during a fun evening of connecting and building relationships. We will also recognize 3 outstanding businesses: a Woman-owned, an African-American owned, and a Latin-owned business, who were nominated by their peers. This event is is sponsored by and Corning Incorporated and AT&T.
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Wednesday, October 6
8:00 – 9:00 am | Cultivating Executive Presence for Success
Presenter: Lynn Whitesell, Harris Whitesell Consulting
Contact: lynn.whitesell@harriswhitesellconsulting.com
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
A key difference between an effective leader and an ineffective one is Executive Presence. Executive Presence is essential to influencing others and driving results.
Attend this workshop to explore how executive presence can help you lead your team more effectively and achieve your organizational goals.
Topics include: definition and dimensions of executive presence, signs you need to work on your executive presence, and recognizing and breaking the habits that are holding you back from increasing your executive presence and leadership effectiveness.
9:00 – 9:30 am | 1Million Cups Wilmington, CIE
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
Based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and engage with their communities over a million cups of coffee, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation developed 1 Million Cups—a free program designed to educate, engage and inspire entrepreneurs around the country. We meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. and all are welcome. Join us for the special MED Week 1 Million Cups Wilmington with Luna Creative. Luna Creative is an award-winning brand strategy firm working with companies and organizations that are developing solutions for complex environmental challenges. They help mission-driven clients tackle their most pressing marketing and communication issues. Principal Cordelia Norris will share her entrepreneurial story. Fun fact: in addition to being an entrepreneur, Cordelia is an artist, writer, and illustrator. For more info: https://www.1millioncups.com/wilmington-nc.
9:30 – 10:30 am | Social Entrepreneurship Panel: Growing Your Business and Your Society
Presenter: Dr. Jess Boersma, UNCW
Heather McWhorter, UNCW SBTDC
Patrick Brien, Cape Fear Collective
Dr. Xaver Neumeyer, UNCW
Girard Newkirk, Genesis Block
Contact: Boersmaj@uncw.edu, mcwhorterh@uncw.edu, pbrien@capefearcollective.org, girard@genesisblockilm.com, neumeyerx@uncw.edu
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
Businesses of all types and sizes that develop solutions to social, cultural, and environmental issues are critical in today's complex world. Learn more about how potential or existing business can change the community you live in. Your business can do well while doing good. Panel participants will discuss opportunities, challenges, and resources to get you started in social entrepreneurship.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Reskilling and Upskilling: A Primer for the Future
Presenter: Dr. Mitchell Bloomer, UNCW
Contact: bloomerm@uncw.edu
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
A discussion on the importance of reskilling and upskilling in our ever-changing world. Driven in part by the art and science of "futuring”, dialogue to include how we prepare for the future of work, the workforce, higher education, learning delivery, and how these areas impact our greatest asset in that of our human capital.
1:00 – 2:00 pm | 21 Ways to Leverage Word of Mouth Marketing in 2021
Presenter: Toya Wilson-Smith, NexGeneration Digital Marketing Agency Inc.
Contact: twsmith@nexgenerationmobile.com
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
Are your customers talking about your brand with friends and family? If so, what are they saying and where are they spreading the news? These are just a few of the important questions to ask when thinking about a word-of-mouth marketing strategy. In this workshop, we will cover 21 different ways to grow your brand using word-of-mouth strategies.
2:00 – 3:00 pm | Know Your Numbers
Presenter: Dr. Cynthia DeVita-Cochrane
Contact: ccdevita@ncsu.edu
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
Did you know that your business financials tell a story? It’s true, and it’s so important to know the story they tell so you can plan for success! In this interactive workshop, participants will learn about three key numbers that every business owner needs to understand in order to be successful. We will provide tools and resources to help participants understand the story their own business financials are telling them. Participants will get a chance to use these new tools by evaluating a small business case study in groups.
3:30 – 5:00 pm | De una idea, a una empresa: conversación con emprendedores Latinos de la región de Cape Fear / Conversation with Latino entrepreneurs from the Cape Fear region
Presenter: Gustavo Rodea, Mattress Furniture Liquidators
Isabela Lujan, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty
Contact: mrrodea@gmail.com, isabelalujan@seacoastrealty.com
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
De una idea, a una empresa: conversación con emprendedores Latinos de la región de Cape Fear. Tú sabes que todo parte de una idea. Todo parte de un análisis que muchas veces hacemos de manera intuitiva de una necesidad que vemos que existe en nuestra comunidad. Cuando el emprendedor detecta esta necesidad, es cuando tenemos el potencial de generar una idea de negocios. De ahí en adelante, si el emprendedor es lo suficientemente valiente y toma las decisiones correctas, de esa idea saldrá un pequeño negocio, que puede crecer e incluso replicarse, no solo en la comunidad en la que se encuentre, sino en toda la región. Pero, al final, siempre tenemos la pregunta: ¿Cómo lo hizo? ¿Cómo lo logró? ¿Cómo ella o él logró hacer que su negocio sea exitoso? De eso vamos a hablar en este panel. Queremos que te inspires en ellos, y que veas que si se puede! Regístrate en este sesión para que escuches lo que estos dueños de negocios latinos tienen que contarte acerca del camino que recorrieron y aún recorren como comerciantes y empresarios.
You know that everything starts with an idea. All part of an analysis that we often do intuitively of a need that we see that exists in our community. When the entrepreneur detects this need, it is when we have the potential to generate a business idea. From then on, if the entrepreneur is brave enough and makes the right decisions, a small business will emerge from that idea, which can grow and even be replicated, not only in the community in which it is located but throughout the region. But, in the end, we always have the question: How did she/he do it? How did she/he managed to make his/her business successful? That is what we are going to talk about in this panel. We want you to be inspired by them, and see that it is possible! Sign up for this session to hear what these Latino business owners have to tell you about the path they traveled and still travel as merchants and entrepreneurs.
3:30 – 5:00 pm | Women: Find your Professional Tribe!
Presenter: Tiffany Tucker, Deputy A. D./SWA, UNCW Athletics
Contact: tuckert@uncw.edu
Location: Genesis Block
Address: 20 Wrights Aly Wilmington, NC 28401
Women are the fastest-growing group within the areas of entrepreneurship and C-suite positions. While there is growth, potential barriers include the lack of access to available resources, such as mentorship and valuable networks. This session will feature top women leaders from Wilmington in different business sectors within a panel discussion and will pivot into an opportunity for all to engage in finding their own professional tribes with the goal of expanding and deepening business connections and networks. Panelists include:
- Dr. Sabrina Cherry, cherrys@uncw.edu
- Chakema Clinton-Quintana, chakema.clinton-quintana@liveoak.bank
- Tammika Brown,CPA Tammika@tammikabrown.com
- Megan Danielle, megandaniielle@makeitpublic.co
- Tiffany Cripps, MPH, rsearchr5@gmail.com
5:30 – 7:30 pm | Anza Product Launch & Networking
Location: Genesis Block
Address: 20 Wrights Aly Wilmington, NC 28401
The objective is to use this event as the official launch of the Anza platform that supports Minority and Women Business growth in the Cape Fear Region. The event will feature the Anza presentation, participating members of the Pilot and a networking event to connect contractors, developers, government agencies and vendors in one environment.
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Thursday, October 7
10:00 – 11:30 am | Using the Tier 1, 2 & 3 Strategy To Increase Minority Participation in Construction
Presenter: Jonathan Best, Samet Corporation
Contact: jbest@sametcorporation
Location: Wilmington Convention Center
Address: 10 Convention Center Dr. Wilmington, NC 28401
Samet and three other construction managers will sit on a panel to discuss how we use the different tiers to increase minority participation in the construction industry. Attendees will also learn about different ways to have more minority firms as first-tier pre-qualified firms.
10:30 –11:30 am | Préstamos para Pequeños Negocios Latinos / Commercial Financing for the Latin Community
Presenter: José Alvarez, Prospera
Contact: jalvarez@prosperausa.org
Location: Wilmington Convention Center
Address: 10 Convention Center Dr. Wilmington, NC 28401
¿Quiere un préstamo para iniciar su nuevo negocio? ¿Tiene ya un negocio establecido y necesita un préstamo para hacerlo crecer? ¿Quiere saber qué necesita para poder acceder y calificar para un préstamo? ESTA ES SU OPORTUNIDAD de tener acceso a un crédito. Prospera es una organización sin fines de lucro especializada en asistir y proveer consultoria sin costo y confidencial empresario latino en Estados Unidos. En este seminario en español nos explicarán cómo podemos hacer para aplicar y calificar para hacer nuestro sueño realidad.
11:30 am – 6:30 pm | 2021 WilmingtonBiz Conference & Expo
11:30 am - 1:30 pm Keynote Lunch
1:30 - 6:30 pm Expo Hall
1:45 - 4:30 pm Business Seminars
4:30 - 6:30 pm WilmingtonBiz After Hours
Presenters: Speaker announcements coming soon...
Location: Wilmington Convention Center
Address: 10 Convention Center Dr. Wilmington, NC 28401
The WilmingtonBiz Expo is your business’s opportunity to personally connect with more than 2,500 potential clients – all in one day. For full program details, visit: http://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/eventDetails?eventID=159
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Friday, October 8
8:00 – 9:30 am | Diversity & Equity in the Workplace and Employee Engagement
Presenter: Travis Corpening, New Hanover County Government
Joe Conway, Novant Health-New Hanover County
Contact: tcorpening@nhcgov.com, joseph.conway@nhrmc.org
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
Looking at your business as a valuable asset that serves its customers and their varying needs is a concept that requires voices of all kinds. The way we discuss and approach diversity, equity & inclusion in the workplace is changing. It wasn’t long ago that we even recognized diversity and inclusion as an important element within the business, and prior to that, the goal was simply diversity for the sake of checking a box. Those changes in terminology reflect a shift in attitude, however, and knowing what those terms mean is the first step in building a people-forward future of work. Taking time to be innovative in how you incorporate these elements within your business, you show that you genuinely care that all of your employees belong and are engaged.
10:30 – 11:30 am | Strategy Roundtable Sessions: How businesses can properly plan to scale and sustain their growth
Presenter: Katrina Harrell, Sage22 Strategic Advisors, LLC
Contact: Katrina@sage22.com
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
This session is targeted at businesses that are experiencing revenue growth but have difficulty in scaling their operations and infrastructure properly due to a lack of a strong financial management system. Additionally, they lack the knowledge of how to effectively work with their accountant on proper advice on how to use the management of their finances to make better decisions and to strategically sustain growth. This presentation will give the attendees the tools they need to prepare to scale their businesses beyond $500k-$1million and prepare to hire better, be positioned for funding opportunities, being able to bid and win contracts, pay less in taxes, prepare for expansion as well as build in an exit plan.
12:00 – 1:30 pm | Leading Effective Meetings - Essential Skills For Today's Ambitious Leader
Presenter: Lori Harris, Harris Whitesell Consulting, LLC
Contact: lori.harris@harriswhitesellconsulting.com
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
This workshop will offer insights and tips to enhance your leadership skills to:
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Prepare for efficiency and effectiveness.
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Lead with confidence.
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Move your projects forward.
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Manage conflicts.
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Influence change.
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Energize and motivate your team.
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Make your meeting stick.
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Maximize excellence!
2:00 – 3:00 pm | Digital Marketing: How to Get More Done in Less Time for Less Money
Presenter: Toya Wilson-Smith, NexGeneration Digital Marketing Agency Inc.
Contact: twsmith@nexgenerationmobile.com
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
You're going to learn how to do your branding and design your logo for FREE. We will also cover the most cost-effective ways to build your website. And most importantly, we are going to give the most cost-effective marketing channels that won't break your bank account.
3:30 – 4:30 pm | Business Development Opportunities Through US Small Business Administration Contracting Programs of 8a and HUBZone
Presenter: Don Spry, Small Business Administration
Contact: Don.Spry@sba.gov
Location: Virtual, Zoom, link will be sent after registering
This seminar will provide information and steps necessary to enroll in the SBA Socio-Economic programs known as 8a and HUB Zone. Also, you will learn about contracting opportunities with the General Services Administration (GSA) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and a number of North Carolina based small business success stories in contracting will be discussed.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
6:00 – 9:00 pm | Genesis Block Demo Day
Presenter: Girard Newkirk, Genesis Block
Contact: info@genesisblockilm.com
Location: Genesis Block
Address: 20 Wrights Aly, Wilmington, NC 28401
Event celebrating the graduation of the Genesis Block Back on the Block Minority Accelerator. The program includes a pitch competition and awards ceremony.
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