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As is customary following Labor Day, attention to the upcoming elections picks up. Our mailboxes begin to fill up with postcards about the candidates, our television and radio advertising is full of ads about candidates. While that information can be helpful in determining who to vote for, there’s nothing like seeing candidates appear together to discuss issues of importance to our community. There are two opportunities over the next week where business leaders can listen to candidates in person prior to voting. First, on Thursday at the convention center, the Greater Wilmington Business Journal’s Power Breakfast will host candidates for the North Carolina General Assembly and for New Hanover County Commission. Tickets are sold out for this event, but they will be posting recordings to their social platforms (Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn) on Thursday afternoon. Next Tuesday, the Wilmington Chamber, along with BASE, Cape Fear Realtors, and Wilmington Cape Fear Homebuilders, will host the candidates for New Hanover County Board of Education. The event will be held at the Terraces at Sir Tyler and you can register here.
I know we all have concerns regarding the challenges our health care system has faced in recent months and the impact those challenges are having on patient care. In case you didn’t see this letter in StarNews yesterday, I wanted to share it with you. Our friends and neighbors at Novant Health make our care their number one priority. I encourage you to learn how they are addressing the challenges.
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40 Under 40 Awards Presented by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and StarNews
The 4th Annual 40 Under 40 Awards are the Cape Fear region's premier event to celebrate young professionals who are scaling businesses to new heights, making decisions that put their organizations on the map or producing a seemingly infinite stream of impactful work in our community.
We plan to recognize the 2022 honorees during an event at 5:30 pm on September 29 at the Brooklyn Arts Center. Space is limited to 250 attendees. Free hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available.
Click here to view a full list of the 2022 honorees.
The StarNews will publish individual profiles on this year's honorees at StarNewsOnline.com on the night of September 29 and in a special section in the print newspaper on September 30.
There are only a few tickets left! The deadline to purchase tickets is THIS Thursday, September 22 at 11:55 PM.
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2022 MED Week Recognition for Excellence in
Business Nomination
The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce will recognize three leading minority businesses in the Wilmington area based on demonstrated success over the past 12 to 18 months.
The minority businesses chosen will be recognized at the Intentional Collisions networking event on Tuesday, October 4 from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm.
The nomination deadline is TOMORROW - Tuesday, September 20th.
Recognition Categories
• African American Owned Business: A business that is African American owned with a successful track record and a commitment to strengthen African American businesses within the community.
• Latin American Owned Business: A business that is Latin American owned with a successful track record and a commitment to strengthen Latin American businesses within the community.
• Woman-Owned Business: A business that is woman-owned with a successful track record and a commitment to strengthening women-owned businesses within the community.
Click here to nominate a minority business.
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Leadership Wilmington News | |
“If you want to lead you need to grow. Good Leaders are always good learners.” – John C. Maxwell | |
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Leadership Wilmington
The class of 2023 had an incredibly packed agenda for their first session on arts, history, and culture. They started the day learning about the history of Wilmington, headed out for a tour of places most of us may have never seen, and then headed to Cameron Arts Museum and the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science. We visited Thalian Hall and then wrapped our day with checking in on Work on Wilmington progress.
Click here to read the class of 2023's blog post about their experience last Tuesday.
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Work on Wilmington
Save the date for the next Work on Wilmington: April 22, 2023.
Project applications are NOW OPEN!
Fundraising has already begun! If you are interested in supporting year 17 of this civic leadership development program, please email [email protected] or click here.
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Leadership Wilmington Alumni Council
Leaders on the Move: Join us in congratulating Allison Collins, class of 2011, for starting a locally owned services business in September of last year. Coastal Carolina Organizing, LLC offers professional organizing services for all of your residential, commercial, digital, and financial organizing needs.
Are you an alumni with some exciting news to share? Got a recent promotion? New job? Making waves in the community in a big way? Here’s your chance to share! Fill out this form!
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Encounter Wilmington
The first cohort of Encounter Wilmington has been selected! We are so excited for the packed schedule of speakers and presentations on October 18-19! If you’ve got a new employee that recently joined your team and you’d like to get them into the fall cohort, there are a few seats available! Email [email protected] for more information.
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Career and Leadership Development Academy
The CLDA blog from Digital Technologies Day is NOW LIVE! A group of Myrtle Grove Middle School 7th graders worked together to write the year's first blog post! Each month, another school team will be assigned a blog. Students are learning about the different industry sectors in our community and the careers available in those industries. They are also building up their power skills and employability skills such as written communication, teamwork and collaboration, professionalism and work ethic, critical thinking and problem solving, and more! Click here to read the blog post and stay tuned for the next update after their Warehouse, Logistics, and Supply Chain Day!
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With the launch of Encounter Wilmington and the Career and Leadership Development Academy this fall, there are many opportunities to volunteer and engage! Interested in sponsoring and partnering with us on any of our leadership initiatives? Reach out to Laura at [email protected]. | |
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African American Business Council Meeting With SCORE Cape Fear Region
Wednesday, September 21
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Join us for a presentation about the resources SCORE has to offer and the business mentorship program from Chapter Chair and Mentor, Larry Grossmann. Larry will share how the SCORE mentor program can help your business.
SCORE Cape Fear Region is a team of over 30 mentors who are dedicated to providing knowledge and insights to businesses of all sizes throughout the Southeastern North Carolina region. Their diverse group of mentors have backgrounds that represent nearly every industry. They are ready to assist you in growing or starting your business.
All Chamber members are welcome to attend the meeting. Lunch will be provided.
Register Here
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NHCS Board of Education
Candidate Forum
Tuesday, September 27
7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
The Wilmington Chamber's Public Policy Committee monitors and advises the Chamber on legislative and regulatory issues at the local, state, and federal levels and promotes the interests of our membership.
In September, the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce along with our partners, BASE, Cape Fear REALTORS and Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association, invite our members to join us for an opportunity to hear firsthand from the 2022 New Hanover County Board of Education candidates prior to the general election on Tuesday, November 8.
Click here to view the candidates and agenda.
Register Here
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40 Under 40 Awards
Thursday, September 29
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
The 4th Annual 40 Under 40 Awards are the Cape Fear region's premier event to celebrate young professionals who are scaling businesses to new heights, making decisions that put their organizations on the map, or producing a seemingly infinite stream of impactful work in our community.
We plan to recognize the 2022 honorees during an event at 5:30 pm on September 29 at the Brooklyn Arts Center. Space is limited to 250 attendees. Free hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available.
The deadline to purchase tickets is Thursday, September 22 at 11:55 PM.
Register Here
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Cape Fear Region Minority Enterprise Development Week
Monday, October 3 - Friday, October 7
Cape Fear Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week presented by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce recognizes and celebrates the achievements and impacts of minority entrepreneurs across southeastern North Carolina, and provides opportunities for networking, expanding, and strengthening businesses.
The activities are part of the national observance of Minority Enterprise Development Week, created by presidential proclamation in 1983. This local event series began at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and was hosted with the help of community partners to recognize the economic impact of minority- and women-owned businesses.
Register Here
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Wake up Wilmington Sponsored by Relax! Massage Therapy & Skin Care
Tuesday, October 11
8 AM - 9:15 PM
Wake up Wilmington is a monthly referral networking event designed to help you build relationships, support your professional development, and develop leads for your business. This is a member benefit and has no additional cost to attend. This event is not open to nonmembers. Coffee will be provided.
At Relax! Massage Therapy & Skin Care, we tailor our services to fit your individual needs for relaxation, pain management, stress relief, and more. Whether you desire a therapeutic massage, deep tissue work, or need to rejuvenate and beautify your skin, Relax! Massage Therapy & Skin Care is Wilmington's destination of choice for nurturing your body, mind, and soul.
Register Here
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Member Orientation
Thursday, October 13
4 PM - 5 PM
This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Chamber, discover ways you can engage, and meet the Chamber staff and other new Chamber members! Beer and wine will be provided.
When the event begins, you’ll have a minute to introduce yourself and your company.
You’ll hear from all of the chamber employees and go through a presentation of everything you need to know as a chamber member.
Register Here
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Chamber Connections Sponsored
by withco
Monday, October 17
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Chamber Connections is a monthly referral networking event designed to help you build relationships, support your professional development, and develop leads for your business. This is a member benefit and has no additional cost to attend. This event is not open to nonmembers.
withco is a real estate company that partners with small business owners to purchase their commercial real estate through our lease-to-own model. withco works in two different ways - either by helping business operators own their current properties, or by working with local experts to help business operators find and own their dream location to fit their business long-term. Press coverage (WSJ, Forbes, Cheddar) and explainer video here. withco will be providing lunch for all attendees.
Register Here
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Boundless Boards Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, October 20
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Please join us in celebrating Boundless Boards! We are a covid-19-born business from a pure passion of aesthetically delicious food and hospitality. We opened our doors in Wytheville, VA in June 2020, started nationwide shipping in September 2020, and are now located in Wilmington, NC! We are so grateful to be able to live our dreams every day and provide this service to Wilmington and nationwide! We can't thank you enough for all your support.
Sara & Drew Lester, President & VP of Boundless Boards LLC
Register Here
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Talent First Economics Community Cohort Announced
Participants among first in the nation to receive designation of Certified Workforce Developer
The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at NC State University is excited to announce the five regional teams that will make up the Talent First Economics community cohort. The cohort will serve as a peer learning network for the 2023 Emerging Issues Forum to increase collaboration among workforce, economic and community development leaders to ensure their regions are better equipped to grow their workforce, with a focus on underrepresented workers.
The five teams in the cohort include representatives from the following organizations:
Cape Fear Region
- Brunswick Community College
- Cape Fear Council of Governments
- Cape Fear Workforce Development Board
- Columbus County Economic Development
- Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
- Town of Burgaw
- UNC Wilmington
Click here to read more.
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Cape Fear Community College Assists TRU Colors Employees After Company Closure
Wilmington, NC – In collaboration with Mt. Calvary Center and the Cape Fear Workforce Development Board, CFCC connects Tru Colors employees to career training resources and support.
Cape Fear Community College is working to assist Tru Colors employees after the company’s closure last week. CFCC provides resources and training to help individuals looking to enhance their employment skills.
“Cape Fear Community College is well-positioned to support Tru Colors employees as they take the next step in their careers,” said CFCC President Jim Morton. “Our workforce development team is talking with employees about training options at Cape Fear and helping them navigate the process. Tru Colors employees have already committed to changing the trajectories of their lives, and we are happy to help them continue on a positive path.”
Click here to read more.
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Register to attend the Biz Expo today!
Thursday, October 6 | 11 am - 5:30 pm | Wilmington Convention Center
Join the Greater Wilmington Business Journal on October 6th at Wilmington's largest business conference, where professionals come to network and grow their businesses! This year's event will include a Keynote Lunch, featuring the annual Economic Outlook program from UNCW’s Swain Center, the Expo Hall with more than 100 exhibitors, Strategy Seminars, and an After Hours party.
Registration is now open at WilmingtonBizExpo.com. Pre-register with code BEOURGUEST2022 for free entrance
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Welcoming Inclusion
Cape Fear Latinos provides equal access to resources
VANNIA RAYA (pictured right) and JAZMIN TREJO (left) pooled minds and hearts to fuel the spirit of Cape Fear Latinos. Born in Mexico and familiar with the struggles of migrant workers adapting to a foreign culture, the founders of Cape Fear Latinos strive to increase a sense of belonging for the region’s widespread Latino population.
Having lived in the U.S. for twenty years, Raya’s first point of entry was California. “Due to the high Latino population, I felt very much at home there,” she recalls. When she moved to North Carolina, however, she struggled with a sense of alienation. “I was shocked at the difference between the two states,” says Raya. “Where I felt welcomed in California, I felt rejection in North Carolina.” Becoming more involved in the Latino community, she noticed a growing need for inclusion and opportunity.
Click here to read more.
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Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
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