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Evergreen Youth Startup Day
2026-06-06 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Knoxville Entrepreneur Center,
A FREE half-day event for middle & high schoolers with a business idea. Take the Mogul Score quiz, pitch your idea, and meet real mentors.

You’ve got the idea. You’ve been thinking about it for weeks.
But is it actually ready to launch?
Evergreen Community Development Corp. invites middle and high school students in the Knoxville area to Evergreen Startup Day — a FREE, high-energy, half-day experience built for young entrepreneurs like you.
What You’ll Do
• Take the FREE Mogul Score quiz live at the event and find out exactly where your business idea stands
• Work in a small group with a real mentor who helps you sharpen your idea and map out your next steps
• Pitch your idea to the room — 60 seconds, no judgment, just practice saying it out loud to real people
• Get your official Mogul Score badge and be featured on the Evergreen Mogul Wall
• Connect with other young entrepreneurs from across Knoxville who share your drive
• Walk away with a personalized action plan and the next steps to actually launch
Who Is This For?
Any middle or high school student in the Knoxville area who has a business idea — no matter how big, small, or unfinished. No experience needed. No business plan required. No startup money necessary. You just need your idea and a willingness to show up. Whether you want to start a lawn care business, launch an Etsy shop, build an app, or sell your artwork — this event is for you.
The Schedule
1. 10:00 AM — Doors open, check-in, snacks, and meet your fellow moguls
2. 10:15 AM — Kickoff: the question every entrepreneur has to answer
3. 10:25 AM — Take the Mogul Score quiz live + badge reveal
4. 10:45 AM — Idea Bootcamp: small group mentorship session
5. 11:25 AM — The Mogul Pitch: 60 seconds, your idea, the room
6. 11:55 AM — Mogul Wall photos with your official badge
7. 12:15 PM — Closing, next steps, and how Evergreen can help you keep going
8. 12:30 PM — Open networking with mentors and fellow entrepreneurs
About the Venue
Knoxville Entrepreneur Center (KEC) — 17 Market Square, Suite 101, Knoxville, TN 37902. KEC is downtown Knoxville’s premier entrepreneurship hub, right on Market Square. Parking is available at the Market Square Garage (1.7 min walk) and Langley Garage (3.9 min walk).
About Evergreen Community Development Corp.
Evergreen Community Development Corp. is a trusted nonprofit that has helped hundreds of young people in Knoxville turn big ideas into real businesses and projects. We are dedicated to developing the next generation of entrepreneurs right here in our community. Safe, supportive, and built to help you succeed.
This event is FREE. Spots are limited.

Women in Entrepreneurship Knoxville
2026-06-09 09:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Surseen, 5415 Kingston Pike Suite D, Knoxville, TN 37919
Join us on Tuesday, June 9th for our monthly Women in Entrepreneurship Meeting! Anna Wiggins, longtime WIE member and member of the Knoxville Entrepreneur community, will be hosting us at Surseen! She’ll discuss universal styling tips, how to identify words that describe and help you lean into your personal style, and how to align your personal style with your personal “brand.”
Reminder: This meetup is NOT at KEC. We will be meeting at Surseen, and spots are limited. RSVP today to save your spot!
Women in Entrepreneurship (WiE) is a local group committed to empowering women in business through community and connection.
Started in 2016, Women in Entrepreneurship (WiE) is a community of entrepreneurs, supporters, and advocates that meetup to share stories, tips, and advice for any woman either running a business or wanting to start one.
Our group meets once a month on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.

Tennessee Valley Regional Chamber Networking Event
2026-06-09 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Hilton Knoxville Airport
On June 9, join seven area Chambers of Commerce for one high-energy networking event designed to spark real opportunities.

Zappy Hour with Wefunder (Nashville)
2026-06-10 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Coral Club Nashville
The Wefunder team flew in from San Francisco. Bless their hearts.
​Time to show them how we do it. Zappy Hour is open to anyone who cares about startups in Nashville- founders, operators, investors, and the curious. Come grab a drink and make some trouble.
​Powered by Zap & Wefunder.
Coral Club

604 Gallatin Ave #217, Nashville, TN 37206

Blount Chamber Veterans in Business (VIB)
2026-06-11 08:30 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Blount Partnership
Please join us for the next program of the Blount Chamber Veterans in Business Group scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 8:30 AM. The guest speaker for this meeting will be Mack Burrell, of the American Job Corp. this session will also feature networking and a program targeted to veteran-owned businesses.
Also, bring a fellow veteran business owner, especially someone who may not be attending this group. We look forward to continuing the mission together – supporting those who served as they build, lead, and succeed in business. Coffee and breakfast items provided. Please register to attend.

Lunch N Learn: The Modern Marketing Edge (Nashville)
2026-06-11 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Nashville Entrepreneur Center, 41 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210
Marketing in 2026 looks nothing like it did five years ago — and the entrepreneurs who are winning know it. In partnership with AMA Nashville, we’re bringing four marketing experts together for a power-packed panel discussion on what’s working right now. From data-driven growth and AI-powered strategy to multicultural marketing and performance advertising, this conversation will give you a sharper edge in how you think about and execute marketing for your business.
Whether you’re just getting started or scaling fast, you’ll walk away with real insights you can actually use.
🎤 Panelists:

Jacqueline Hayes, MBA, PCM® — Principal & Chief Marketing Strategist, Crayons & Marketers
Paula Milam — Founder & CEO, TruStar Marketing
Wesley Williams — General Manager, Valpak Clipp
Dave DeRosa — Sales Director, AI Digital

Meet the Panelists
Jacqueline Hayes, MBA, PCM® Principal & Chief Marketing Strategist, Crayons & Marketers – Jacqueline founded Crayons & Marketers in 2013 to help businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies connect meaningfully with multicultural and multigenerational consumers. A certified Digital Marketing Professional and Professional Certified Marketer®, she currently serves as President of AMA Nashville and as a business mentor for the NEC’s Twende program. Her work has earned numerous recognitions, including the Nashville Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award and the 2024 SBA Tennessee Women-Owned Small Business of the Year.

Paula Milam Founder & CEO, TruStar Marketing – Paula is a serial entrepreneur and performance marketer who helps companies achieve measurable growth through the fusion of branding and data analytics. Her work spans B2B and B2C companies across healthcare, insurance, financial services, and more — launching startups into national competitors and transforming established businesses into industry leaders. In a world shaped by AI and constant change, Paula helps organizations market with greater clarity, efficiency, and confidence.

Wesley Williams General Manager, Valpak Clipp – Wesley is a results-driven marketing leader with 20 years of experience leading high-performing, multi-market sales teams across Tennessee and Alabama. A 2025 Market of the Year award winner, he brings a proven track record of driving measurable growth through performance-focused print and digital strategies. Wesley delivers real-world insights on how brands can scale faster, compete smarter, and win in today’s landscape.

Dave DeRosa Sales Director, AI Digital – Dave partners with agencies and brands to drive demand and deliver high-impact results through data-driven advertising solutions. With a background rooted in account management and project strategy, he specializes in bridging the gap between creative execution and strategic growth — helping businesses across law, entertainment, insurance, and marketing scale in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Thank you to our Community Partner Comstasis and AMA Nashville for making this event possible. Special thanks to the EC’s Growth Partners: Baker Donelson, CLA, Pinewood Social, Pinnacle Financial Partners, and RJ Young, for their continued support of our founder community.
Parking: Available in the red brick garage located behind the trolley barns (entrance on 15 Lea Avenue); We can validate your parking for up to 3 hours via a QR code at the front desk. (Please know your license plate number if you do not have an account set up with Metropolis parking)

Shrimp Boil
2026-06-11 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for an evening of Peelin’ Eatin’ & Politickin’ at Shrimp Boil 2026!
This business climate program will feature great food and the opportunity for business community representatives to meet with local elected officials and others from across the state of Tennessee who have been invited to attend.
Two ticket options are available: individual tickets at standing cocktail tables, or table purchases for a sit-down experience.
Reserved tables include one table of ten (10), table sign displaying your logo, two drink tickets per guest + bucket of bottled beer, and a southern country boil buffet.
Parking will be available onsite.
Please email events@knoxvillechamber.com for invoice requests.

Nashville Customer Success Community - Kickoff Event
2026-06-11 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
Nashville is one of the fastest-growing SaaS markets in the country, but unlike Austin, Atlanta, or Denver, there is no dedicated space for Customer Success professionals here to connect, share, and grow together. The talent is here. The community is not.
​We are changing that.
​Ben George (Motive), Steve Mason (Signal Consulting), and Zap (Lighthouse) are bringing together Nashville’s CS practitioners for the first time. This is an informal evening of drinks, food, and real conversation with the people doing the work alongside you.
​Who this is for: Customer Success Managers, Account Managers, Technical Account Managers, CS Directors, VPs, and CCOs based in Nashville. You do not have to work for a local company to attend. If you are a CS practitioner living in Nashville, this event is for you.
​What to expect: A relaxed, no-agenda networking evening. Grab a drink, meet your peers, and talk shop. We are keeping the first event intentionally small and intimate so the conversations are actually worth having.

​This is just the beginning. Future events will feature structured panels and fireside conversations on the topics that matter most in CS right now, from AI’s impact on the CSM role to how post-sales teams can drive real revenue growth. Tonight is about building the room. Future events are about putting it to work.
​Spots are limited. Bring a CS practitioner you think belongs in the room.

Location

207 24th Ave N
Nashville, TN 37203, USA

City of Maryville Update Briefing
2026-06-12 08:30 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | Blount Partnership
Do you want to know what is going on in the City of Maryville? If you answered yes, then make plans to attend an upcoming local briefing on Friday, June 12th, at 8:30 AM. We will discuss priorities, budget challenges and vision for the future. The briefings provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen and build new partnerships between members of the business community and local government officials.

GAME Change Summit (KY)
2026-06-16
June 16, 2026
The Lightwell at North by Hotel Covington
19 E Pike Street
Covington, KY 41011

The GAME Change Summit brings together leaders in supply chain, manufacturing and the circular economy from industry, academia and the public sector to advance real-world circular economy solutions.
Focused on circular supply chain innovation, resilient infrastructure and scalable manufacturing strategies, the Summit creates space for collaboration, partnership and action across the GAME Change network.

Strategic Social Media Content Creation for Food Business Entrepreneurs
2026-06-16 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Pellissippi State Community College: Magnolia Avenue Campus, 1610 East Magnolia Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37917, United States
Learn how to create strategic social media content for your food business and boost your online presence at this hands-on workshop.

Are you a food business entrepreneur looking to level up your social media game? Join us for a hands-on, 3-hour workshop designed to help you create purposeful and impactful content that drives engagement and growth on Instagram and Facebook.
In this interactive session, we’ll explore the key features of both platforms, including post types, insights, and scheduling tools. You’ll learn best practices for building an authentic and effective social media presence tailored to your unique brand.
Through group brainstorming, you’ll generate fresh content ideas and walk away with a customized content calendar for at least one month—ready to implement right away.
What You’ll Learn:

How to use Instagram and Facebook strategically for your food business
The difference between post types (reels, stories, carousels, etc.) and when to use them
How to read platform insights and adjust your strategy accordingly
Scheduling tools that save time and improve consistency
Content creation strategies including tips for taking quality photos and videos that reflect your brand and engage your audience
How to plan and organize a monthly content calendar

Whether you’re just getting started or want to take your social media to the next level, this workshop will give you the tools and confidence to show up consistently and creatively online.
Bring: A phone or laptop, access to your business social media accounts, and your creative energy!
Your Instructor: Holly Rainey is a dynamic creative professional with expertise in documentary photography, marketing education, content creation, and social media management. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, she works with small businesses, nonprofits, and makers to strategically craft their narratives on social media, enhancing their online presence one post at a time. Holly teaches social media content creation at the University of Tennessee’s Center for Professional Education and Lifelong Learning. Her social media clients include The Maker City, Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, Arts & Culture Alliance, and Real Good Kitchen. Holly is a contributing member of the “8th of August” documentary project in Knoxville, Newport, and Greeneville, Tennessee, and has published a book in collaboration with Black in Appalachia and East Tennessee PBS.

Nashville Tech Ops Community- First Gathering
2026-06-16 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | The Lighthouse
Nashville is one of the fastest-growing tech markets in the country. But there’s no dedicated space for the people running operations behind the scenes at tech companies to connect, share, and grow together!
​We are changing that.
​Nicki (DoorDash), Mollie (Unity AI), and Zap (Lighthouse) are bringing together Nashville’s tech ops practitioners for the first time. This is an informal evening of drinks, food, and real conversation with the people doing the work alongside you.
​Who this is for: Revenue Ops, Sales Ops, Marketing Ops, Customer Success Ops, and anyone working in operations at a tech company or startup in Nashville. You don’t have to work for a local company to attend. If you’re a tech ops practitioner living in Nashville, this event is for you.
​What to expect: A relaxed, no-agenda networking evening. Grab a drink, meet your peers, and talk shop. We’re keeping the first event intentionally small and intimate so the conversations are actually worth having.
​Bring an ops person you think belongs in the room!

Location

207 24th Ave N
Nashville, TN 37203, USA

Nashville Veterans in Entrepreneurship & Business Meetup
2026-06-17 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Nashville Entrepreneur Center, 41 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210
Connect with fellow vets building businesses at our Nashville June meetup! Network, share tips, and grow together!

Join the Nashville Veterans in Entrepreneurship & Business Meetup!
If you raised your right hand and served in any capacity and have a business idea, a problem you are trying to solve, or simply curiosity about entrepreneurship in Nashville, you will be in the right room.
This is not a motivational event.
This is a working room.
The goal is simple: create a real bridge between veterans and Nashville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Veterans in this city are well-supported socially, but there has never been a consistent, structured entry point into the business community. This meetup changes that.
You will be in a room with:
• Veterans building businesses or exploring ideas
• Founders and operators in Nashville’s startup ecosystem
• Organizations that can open real doors
Expect time in the mic for each business owner, learn how to get surplus for veteran business owners from the The State of Tennessee (for almost nothing), talk to the big heads at the Greater Nashville Tech Concil, TN Department of Veterans, talk to our friends at the Veteran Entrepreneurship Center, wonderful staff at the Nashville Entrerpreneur Center… and more!!!!

Blount Young Professionals - Lunch Social
2026-06-18 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Blackhorse Pub & Brewery
Join BCYP for a casual, drop-in event to help you connect with other local professionals over great food and good times!
Blackhorse Pub & Brewery
441 N. Hall Rd
Alcoa, TN 37701 United States
Event Contact
Meghan White
(865) 209-3435
Send Email

Quantum Commercialization Pathways: From Lab to Market Webinar
2026-06-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Join CO.LAB, IonQ, CQC, TAEBC, and LaunchTN’s TTAC for a focused webinar tackling one critical question: how does breakthrough quantum research become real-world companies? Keynoted by Alex Challans of The Quantum Insider, this session brings together researchers-turned-founders who have successfully made the leap from lab to market, including voices from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee system, and Tennessee’s broader quantum ecosystem. You’ll gain a clear, real-world view of the commercialization journey, including how ideas move from research environments into scalable companies and covering early traction, funding pathways, strategic partnerships, and the challenges founders face along the way. Through case studies, you’ll see how innovations evolve from national labs to startups, pilots, and acquisitions within Tennessee’s rapidly growing quantum ecosystem. This session also breaks down the support systems that make commercialization possible and shows how you can plug in—whether you’re a researcher, founder, or industry partner. If you care about turning cutting-edge research into real economic impact, this is where the path becomes clear.

Nashville Entrepreneur Center Happy Hour & Trivia
2026-06-18 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Nashville Entrepreneur Center, 41 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210
🎉 Happy Hour at the EC & Trivia! 🍻Join us at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center for an afternoon of fun, friendly competition, and networking at Happy Hour on Thursday, June 18th, from 3–5 PM!
🔹 What’s in it for you?

Networking with fellow entrepreneurs

Free drinks and snacks

Trivia Grand Prize: Winner of trivia receives a free Connect Membership or equal amount of credits towards their current membership!

Whether you’re a trivia pro or just here for the laughs (and the drinks), this Happy Hour is all about learning, laughing, and connecting with the EC community.
📍 Location: Nashville Entrepreneur Center📅 Date: June 18th⏰ Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Thank you to our Happy Hour Partners Harding House Brewing & Comstasis for making this event possible. Special thanks to the EC’s Growth Partners: Baker Donelson, CLA, Pinewood Social, Pinnacle Financial Partners, and RJ Young, for their continued support of our founder community.
Parking: Parking is available in the red brick garage located behind the trolley barns (entrance on 15 Lea Avenue); please come inside to the front desk to scan the QR code for validation up to 3 hours.

BBQ for Bravery
2026-06-20 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
A KCBS-Sanctioned Masters Barbecue Competition Benefiting Veterans​

Saturday June 20, 2026

12 pm-4 pm at the Duck Pond in Alcoa, Tennessee.

Whether you’re a BBQ enthusiast, looking for a fun afternoon outside, or a way to celebrate Dad, BBQ for Bravery brings East Tennessee together!​

Our annual BBQ competition is a sanctioned event showcasing some of the best BBQ teams, competing for big prizes and raising money for veterans.

Open to the public

Competition BBQ available for purchase​

Family-friendly atmosphere

BYOB, chairs, and tents

Local veterans paired with competition teams

Awards ceremony for Grand Champion and each division (chicken, ribs, pulled pork, and brisket)

Supporting veterans through Beloved Roots Ranch

​

Sloss.Tech Conference in Birmingham, AL
2026-06-24 - 2026-06-26 | Downtown Birmingham, Alabama
Sloss Tech is the Southeast’s premier annual technology and innovation conference held in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, focusing on fostering, connecting, and showcasing the region’s growing tech scene. Founded in 2015, the three-day event features expert speakers, breakout sessions, and a major startup pitch competition with significant funding.

Blount Coffee Club
2026-06-25 07:45 - 09:00 (America/New_York) | Simmons Bank, 710 S. Foothills Plaza Dr, Maryville, TN, 37801, United States
Start your day with new business connections at our Coffee Clubs, held from 7:45 to 9:00 am. These gatherings are designed to help our members build relationships and gain exposure for their businesses or organizations in a welcoming “open house” environment.
We are pleased to offer a special one-time opportunity for non-members to attend as a guest and experience the benefits of being a part of the Chamber.

Anyone affiliated with a Chamber member business is welcome to attend, not just the designated representatives listed on the Chamber membership.

Pathway Connect Event at KEC
2026-06-25 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, 17 Market Square
Discover how AI can help you better manage cash flow, simplify accounting, and make smarter business decisions. Designed for small business owners who are curious about AI but unsure where to start, this session will share practical ways to use AI tools to save time, improve financial visibility, and support business growth!

2026 Nashpreneurs Conference
2026-06-30 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | The National Museum of African American Music
Theme: Built to WIN: Leadership That Drives Results
The 2026 Nashprenuers Conference: Built to WIN is a high-impact half-day leadership experience designed for small business owners who are ready to lead with clarity, compete with confidence, and grow with intention. This year’s conference moves beyond inspiration and into execution—equipping entrepreneurs with the leadership mindset, strategies, and tools needed to navigate today’s fast-moving business environment.
Headlining the experience is keynote speaker Seth Yelorda, who will challenge attendees to rethink leadership through the lens of discipline, resilience, and results. His dynamic keynote will set the tone for a day focused on sharpening decision-making, strengthening accountability, and elevating leadership capacity at every stage of business growth.
Designed for small business owners, Built to WIN delivers practical insights through curated sessions, peer exchange, and actionable frameworks – helping leaders navigate change, build ownership-driven cultures, leverage AI with purpose, and implement systems for sustainable growth.
Key Takeaways:

Lead with Precision: Strengthen decision-making, accountability, and execution as a business leader
Build to Scale: Strengthen relationships while building teams, systems, and processes that support sustainable growth
Win with Strategy: Sharpen your competitive edge through focused planning, positioning, and disciplined execution

YOU ARE NOT YOUR BUSINESS
Facilitator: Brittany N. Cole, Keynote Speaker & CEO, Career Thrivers
Your business can be copied. Your story cannot. In an era where products, services, and even marketing tactics can be replicated, the one thing competitors cannot duplicate is the leader behind the business. In this session, Brittany N. Cole helps entrepreneurs and business owners uncover how their experiences, values, and perspective shape the way they lead and influence others. Attendees will gain practical insights on building a leadership brand rooted in authenticity and trust, while learning the difference between promoting a business and establishing a reputation that opens doors, creates opportunities, and drives lasting impact.
INFLUENCE IN ACTION
Panel Discussion featuring Stephanie Richardson, Chris Berry, Danny Pippin, Tiffany Napper, Brian Lowenthal, and Rachel Moore-Beard.
Moderator: Anna-Vija McCloud.
Building on the foundation of leadership identity, this dynamic panel highlights how small business owners translate who they are into how they influence. Panelists will share insights and perspectives that shape the upcoming leadership development workshop series launching this fall—offering a preview of the strategies, skills, and experiences designed to strengthen leadership capacity over time.

KEYNOTE: SETH YELORDA
Headlining the experience is keynote speaker Seth Yelorda, who will challenge attendees to rethink leadership through the lens of discipline, resilience, and results. His dynamic keynote will wrap-up the conference by focusing on sharpening decision-making, strengthening accountability, and elevating leadership capacity at every stage of business growth.

Schedule:
8–8:50 a.m. | Registration & Breakfast
8:50–9a.m. | Opening Remarks
9–9:45a.m. | You Are Not Your Business: Brittany N. Cole
9:45–10a.m. | Break
10–10:45a.m. | Influence In Action: Panel Discussion
10:45–11:05a.m. | Break
11:05–11:50 a.m. | Keynote Speaker: Seth Yelorda
11:50–Noon | 2026 Nashpreneur of The Year Award & Closing

Blount Afternoon Mixer
2026-07-09 15:45 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, 123 Cromwell Dr., Townsend, TN, 37882, United States
Get out of the office after work and unwind with the Afternoon Mixer.
Mixers are designed to offer our members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and to gain exposure for their business or organization in an “open house” setting and open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business.
Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the Chamber membership.

Blount Small Business Peer Group
2026-07-15 08:30 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Lambert’s Southern Pie & Bake Shop, 1116 East Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN, 37801, United States
Join us for the next Small Business Peer-to-Peer Group meeting on Wednesday, July 15 at 8:30 a.m. at Lambert’s Southern Pie & Bake Shop.
This group is designed for small business owners and operators to connect in a confidential, supportive environment. It is not a referral or sales group—our focus is on sharing knowledge, resources, and real-world experiences related to running a business.
Participants will be divided into small groups to discuss key topics such as: Human Resources Marketing Strategies Customer Acquisition Growth Challenges Strategic Planning Customer Service Financial Management Come ready to engage, learn, and support fellow business leaders.
We look forward to another productive and engaging discussion. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Lambert’s Southern Pie & Bake Shop
1116 East Broadway
Maryville, TN 37801 United States

Event Contact
Brenda Farner
(865) 273-1202
Send Email
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (8:30 AM – 10:00 AM) (EDT)

AI for Manufacturing (Memphis)
2026-07-16
Tennessee manufacturers, AI is reshaping the industry, and we want to make sure you’re ahead of it.
Join us July 16 in Memphis for a full day of hands-on AI training built specifically for manufacturing teams at every level.
Whether you’re just getting started or ready to go deeper, we’ve got a session for you:
🔵 Morning: AI for Manufacturing — Foundations & Applied Practice
🔵 Afternoon: AI for Manufacturing — Applied Deep Dive
Walk away with real skills, a strategic roadmap, and the confidence to bring AI into your operation.
📍 Memphis, TN | July 16, 2026
🔗 Register for one or both sessions: https://buff.ly/Kv2fBcY
This training is in partnership with Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Making Your Products Go Viral: Basics of PLG (Nashville)
2026-07-16 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | The Lighthouse
The best products sell themselves. Not because of a slick sales team — because the product IS the growth engine.
​That’s product-led growth. And if you’re building 0→1, it might be the cheapest, fastest way to find your first thousand users.
​In this workshop, we’ll break down the basics:

​What PLG actually means (and when it’s NOT the right move)
​The mechanics of building virality into your product
​Real examples of products that grew without a sales motion
​How to spot your own viral loop — and what to do once you find it

Vanderbilt Life Science Showcase
2026-07-23 13:00 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | Vanderbilt Student Life Center
About the Life Science Showcase
Vanderbilt University’s Industry Collaborations Division is proud to present this year’s Life Science Showcase, centered on the theme AI in Translational Research. As artificial intelligence and machine learning reshape the earliest stages of the research pipeline — spanning target discovery, multiomics analysis, predictive modeling, and the data ecosystems that underpin it all — this event brings Vanderbilt’s cutting-edge research into conversation with the industries, investors, and innovators driving real-world impact.

Agenda

1:00 – 1:10 p.m.
Opening Remarks
1:10 – 2:00 p.m.
Vanderbilt Innovations in AI for Life Sciences
2:00 – 2:25 p.m.
AI Research Centers at Vanderbilt: Capabilities & Collaborations
2:25 – 3:00 p.m.
AI in R&D: Industry Perspectives
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Networking Break with AI researchers
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Panel: Will AI Replace Experimental Science? A Cross-Disciplinary Debate
4:30 – 4:45 p.m.
Closing Remarks
4:45 – 5:30 p.m.
Happy Hour & Poster Session

What to Expect
The Showcase will feature presentations by leading Vanderbilt investigators leveraging AI and ML across early-stage research, from mining large-scale biological datasets to accelerating candidate identification and validation. Alongside Vanderbilt researchers, industry voices will offer perspective on how AI-driven tools and data strategies are being deployed to bridge the gap between fundamental discovery and therapeutic development.
Expert panel discussions will explore the opportunities and challenges unique to this early translational space — including data quality and integration, model interpretability, and building the research-industry partnerships needed to move discoveries forward responsibly and efficiently.
The event also offers rich networking opportunities connecting attendees with researchers, biotech and pharma partners, investors, and economic development organizations — all gathered in an environment designed to foster the kind of cross-sector relationships that turn promising science into real-world solutions.
Who Should Join
Whether you work in computational biology, data science, drug discovery, or life sciences investment, the Vanderbilt Life Science Showcase offers a focused opportunity to engage with early-stage AI-driven research and explore what’s next at the frontier of translational innovation. Join us as Vanderbilt and Nashville help lead this exciting new chapter in biomedical science.

Blount Coffee Club
2026-07-30 07:45 - 09:00 (America/New_York) | Blount Partnership
Start your day with new business connections at our Coffee Clubs, held from 7:45 to 9:00 am. These gatherings are designed to help our members build relationships and gain exposure for their businesses or organizations in a welcoming “open house” environment.

Anyone affiliated with a Chamber member business is welcome to attend, not just the designated representatives listed on the Chamber membership.

AI for Manufacturing: Foundations & Applied Practice (Knoxville)
2026-08-06 08:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Institute for Advanced Materiuals and Manufacturing, 2641 Osprey Vista Way, Knoxville
AI for Manufacturing: Foundations & Applied Practice – August 6, 2026 – Knoxville, TN

Date: August 6, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT

Register Now

Event Description:

A Practical, Hands-On Introduction to AI Tools for Tennessee Manufacturers
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future technology; it is already being used by manufacturers across Tennessee to improve productivity, reduce administrative burden, and solve problems faster. The challenge for most organizations is not whether to adopt AI, but how to use it effectively, consistently, and with confidence.
This workshop provides a practical, applied introduction to AI tools in a manufacturing context. It is designed for operations managers, supervisors, quality leads, continuous improvement professionals, and frontline leaders who want to understand what AI can realistically do for their facility. This is an entry-level course; no technical background, no prior AI experience, and no technology training of any kind is required. This is a working session built around manufacturing scenarios, not a technology lecture.
What You’ll Learn
Participants will move through the core skills needed to use AI tools effectively in a manufacturing environment. The workshop emphasizes practical application, hands-on exercises, and frameworks your team can take back and use the same day.
You will learn how to:

Understand how generative AI works and why manufacturing executives are reporting measurable returns from it
Write effective prompts that produce reliable, consistent, and useful outputs
Avoid the most common prompting mistakes that lead to wasted time and poor results
Apply a structured prompting framework to real manufacturing tasks including quality documentation, shift reporting, continuous improvement planning, and supplier communication
Evaluate AI outputs critically and maintain human judgment in the decision-making process

This workshop builds practical AI capability across your organization and gives teams a repeatable framework for identifying where AI adds value.
Who Should Attend
Operations managers, plant managers, supervisors, quality leads, continuous improvement professionals, workforce development coordinators, and any frontline leader responsible for productivity or team performance. This is a beginner-level course. No previous AI, technology, or computer science training of any kind is required.

AI for Manufacturing: Applied Deep Dive (Knoxville)
2026-08-06 13:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Institute for Advanced Materiuals and Manufacturing, 2641 Osprey Vista Way, Knoxville
Date: August 6, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT

Register Now

Event Description:

From Awareness to Application — A Focused Half-Day on One High-Impact Manufacturing Topic
Understanding AI is a starting point. Knowing how to apply it to a specific operational challenge is where the real value begins. This workshop takes a single, high-impact manufacturing application and explores it in depth — from the problem it solves, to how AI tools are configured for it, to how teams implement and sustain it in a real facility environment.
Each session focuses on a specific manufacturing application, giving participants concentrated, hands-on experience with AI in a context directly relevant to their operation. Sessions are designed to stand on their own; no prior attendance is required.
How Each Session Is Structured
Every Applied Deep Dive session follows the same format regardless of topic. Participants work through the application from the ground up: understanding the problem, exploring how AI addresses it, building the tools and prompts specific to that use case, and testing outputs against real manufacturing scenarios. Sessions are hands-on throughout. You will leave with configured tools, tested prompts, and an implementation framework tailored to the session topic.
Who Should Attend
Anyone who has completed the AI for Manufacturing: Foundations session or who has working familiarity with AI tools and wants to go deeper on a specific application. Operations leads, quality managers, maintenance supervisors, CI professionals, and plant managers will find the most direct value

UT Patent & Trademark Resource Center Grand Opening
2026-08-14 09:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | John C. Hodges Library
Join the University of Tennessee, Knoxville University Libraries and the ORIED Office of Entrepreneurship & New Ventures as we celebrate the official launch of the Patent & Trademark Resource Center (PTRC), a new hub for innovation, intellectual property education, and community entrepreneurship support. This full‑day event features campus leaders, expert speakers, hands‑on instruction, and opportunities to explore UT’s growing innovation ecosystem.
WHEN: Friday, August 14th, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: John C. Hodges Library, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
