Inaugural “Chattanooga Entrepreneur Week” begins in 14 days
The celebration over four days includes dozens of workshops and special events.
The inaugural “Chattanooga Entrepreneur Week” (CEW), presented by the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union (TVFCU) and the Chattanooga Business Resource Collective (BRC), is set for April 29 through May 2 at the Finley Stadium Ultra Club.
The event will include networking opportunities, breakout sessions, panel discussions, a live podcast recording, roundtable events, and a co-working zone in the Press Box. Conference breakout sessions include topics such as Business Planning, Funding, AI for Business, Personal Finance, Supplier Diversity, Marketing and Branding, E-Commerce, Mental Wellness, Company Culture, Success Stories, and Social Enterprise.
Registration for most events can be done at this link. Some events, however, have their own separate registration. Here’s the posted schedule.
Monday, April 29 (All sessions at Finley Stadium)
- 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Coworking in the Press Box, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of TN.
- 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Kickoff Breakfast, presented by EPB (registration required).
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – “AI Tools for Business” panel, moderated by Chris Lykins of Chattanooga State Community College and featuring Chelsya Ernina, Cheya Media; Katina Goad, Whiteboard; Tripp Stanford, IFTTT.
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Food Trucks (lunch available for purchase).
- 12 noon to 12:50 p.m. – “Find Your [Alternative] Funding” panel, moderated by Lynn Chesnutt of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, and featuring Marcus Johnson, TVFCU; Audra Kelly, Southeast Tennessee Development; Kristina Head, Pathway Lending; Lindsay Gilmore, U.S. Small Business Administration; Jonathan Bragdon, Capacity Capital; and Paige McVity, BrightBridge Capital.
- 1 to 1:50 p.m. – “Public Relations for Your Business” with speaker Kaelan Byrd of Kae B. Communications.
- 2 to 2:50 p.m. – “Personal Finance (Protecting Your Profit)” with speaker Roland McIntyre of Mountaintop Wealth, LLC.
- 3 to 3:50 p.m. – “Brick & Mortar: Finding the Right Space for Your Business” panel, moderated by Alexis Willis of The Group Real Estate, and featuring Mary Stargel, Society of Work; Natalie Hostetler, CBRE; Nicole Burney, CBL Properties; and Adam Myers, Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce.
- 4 to 4:50 p.m. – “Optimizing Your Social Media” with speakers from HiveThink Media.
- 5 to 6 p.m. – “How to Business with EPB and the City” workshop (registration required), presented by EPB and the City of Chattanooga with dinner provided.
Tuesday, April 30 (All sessions at Finley Stadium except awards event)
- 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Coworking in the Press Box, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of TN.
- 9 to 9:50 a.m. – “Customer Experience” panel, moderated by Karen Collins, Entrepreneur and staff member at LAUNCH, and featuring Antonio Tate, another local Entrepreneur.
- 10 to 10:50 a.m. – “Grow Your Business: Strategic Planning Workshop.”
- 11 to11:50 a.m. – “Build Your Business and Personal Credit” with speaker Teresa Munoz, Operation Hope.
- 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Chattanooga Chamber Small Business Awards (Register here) for the event at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
- 12 noon to 1:50 p.m. – Meet the Business Resource Collective networking event.
- 2 to 2:50 p.m. – “Nonprofit vs Social Enterprise: What’s Right For Me?” featuring Morgan Holl, Overlooked Materials, and Steven Moore, SCORE Chattanooga.
- 3 to 3:50 p.m. – “Crowdfunding in 2024” panel, moderated by Lya Kimbrough, Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, and featuring Allie Schrenker, The Company Lab/KIVA, and Jonny Price, WeFunder.
- 4 to 4:50 p.m. – “Marketing and Branding Beyond Social Media” with speaker Cortina Jenelle, Cortina Jenelle Branding Agency.
- 5 to 6:30 p.m. – Happy Hour, presented by the Business Resource Collective.
Wednesday, May 1 (Locations vary)
- 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon – Coworking in the Press Box at Finley Stadium, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of TN.
- 8:30 a.m. – TVFCU Idea Leap Networking and Education Breakfast (RSVP here, limited seating at TVFCU’s Southside branch).
- 9 to 9:50 a.m. and 10 to 10:50 a.m. – Podcast Recording (Finley Stadium).
- 11 to 11:50 a.m. – “Mental Health for Entrepreneurs: featuring Kia Ruffin, Mental Health Therapist (Finley Stadium).
- 4 to 6 p.m. – ChaTech Taco ‘Bout Cybersecurity (Location to be announced)
- 6 to 9 p.m. – ArtsBuild Periscope CHA Pitch Night & Artist Showcase (RSVP here, location is Rise Chattanooga.
Thursday, May 2 (The Signal)
- 11:30 a.m. – TVFCU Idea Leap Luncheon (RSVP here).
- 4:30 p.m. – Chambliss Start-up Social (RSVP here).
- 6:15 p.m. – TVFCU 7th Annual “Idea Leap Grant Competition” (RSVP here).
