The WNC Minority Business Association is having its inaugural WNC Black Business Expo - a networking and learning event focusing on minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Scheduled for April 8-10, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel & Resort in Asheville, NC. The three-day event is expected to attract upwards of 1,000 attendees from across the region, with an overarching theme of “Inspiring and Motivating the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs.” The event will feature visionary guest speakers, educational workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, a trade show, and food and entertainment.

We will be adhering to whatever CDC COVID guidelines are in place at the time of the event.

The Expo host, WNC Minority Business Association, is a 501(c)3 non-profit.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, APRIL 8

4:00pm - 6:00pm

Exhibitors & Speakers Meet & Greet

Exhibitors & Speakers Registration & Set Up

7:00pm - 10:00pm

Kickoff Social

SATURDAY, APRIL 9

7:00am - TBD

Registration Begins

8:00am - 9:00am

Continental Breakfast & Opening Remarks

9:00am – 9:45am

Opening Keynote:

Adrian Miller, culinary historian, James Beard Award winner, attorney

10:00am - 12:00pm

First half of Trade Show

2:30pm - 5:00pm

Second half of Trade Show

10:15am - 11:00am

Breakout Sessions

11:15am – 12:00pm

Breakout Sessions

12:15pm - 1:15pm

Luncheon

1:15pm – 2:15pm

Keynote Speaker:

2:15pm - 3:15pm

Meet & Greet/Photo Op with Guest Speaker

3:00pm- 3:45pm

Workshops

4:00pm- 4:45pm

Workshops

5:15pm – 6:15pm

Closing Keynote:

Robyn Hatcher, founder/CEO of SpeakEtc, author, award-winning actress

SUNDAY, APRIL 10

7:30am - 8:30am

Continental Breakfast

9:00am - 9:45am

Workshops

10:00am - 10:45am

Workshops

9:45am- 10:45am

Panel Discussion

11:00am - 12:00pm

Closing Remarks

Breakout Sessions/Workshops

Saturday Morning Speakers

10:15am - 11:00am Breakout Sessions

11:15am – 12:00pm Breakout Sessions

Chi Chi Okezie - Blue Ridge

Topic: How To Certify Your Stuff

Reggie Tidwell - Foxfire

Topic: Branding: A Non-Optional Component of Small Business

Alex Cardona - Magnolia

Topic: Purpose Driven Networking

This workshop will feature a can’t miss networking event with a raffle. Bring your business cards and your door prizes!

Keya Hamiliton - Dogwood

Topic: Using Short Films to Promote Your Business

Saturday Afternoon Speakers

3:00pm-3:45pm- Breakout Sessions

4:00pm- 4:45pm-Breakout Sessions

Mariah Street - Blue Ridge

Topic: Legally Speaking: How To Get Your Business Legally Solid

Nathan Phillips - Foxfire

Topic: The Blockchain & Your Business

Shemekka Ebony & Michael Stewart-Isaacs - Magnolia

Topic: I Am Brilliant + UR2, How To Illuminate Your Superpower!

Sunday Speakers

9:00am - 9:45am Workshops

10:00am - 10:45am Workshops

Dakota Grady - Blue Ridge

Topic: Maximize Your Money in Business

Sandhya Maheshwari - Foxfire

Topic: The Power of Vision

Jasmine Griffin - Magnolia

Topic: The Importance of Skin Care and Self-Care for the Business Owner & Entrepreneur

Jason Muhammad - Dogwood

Topic: Mindsets of Next Generation Leaders

NOTICE OF FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY

When you enter any of the Western NC Minority Business Association affiliated programs or events, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by the WNCMBA and its affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar WNCMBA events in the future, highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of the WNCMBA. You release the WNCMBA, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by the WNCMBA or the person or entity designated to do so by the WNCMBA. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.