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Weekend edition September 15, 2023 | Shannon Smith

News Roundup | Cheers, prost, salud!

Here’s your weekly roundup of business news from throughout the Knoxville region.

Oktoberfest begins at Schulz Brau Brewing

Beers and bratwurst and wiener dogs, oh my!

Oktoberfest is back, kicking off this Saturday at Schulz Brau Brewing Company off Central Avenue in North Knoxville. All of our Oktoberfest celebrations – aside from the Ceremonial Barrel Tapping, which you may have missed depending on how late in the morning you’re reading this – are open to the public with no cover fee or ticket purchase necessary.

This three-week celebration of Bavarian culture includes a special beer and food menu, stein-hoisting, best-dressed, and bratwurst eating contests, and the return of the fan-favorite “Running of the Wieners” wiener dog race.

Find a full schedule and list of events here. Prost!

HoLa Festival returns to downtown Knoxville

The 23rd Annual HoLa Festival celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is back this weekend on the World’s Fair Park Performance Lawn.

On Saturday afternoon and evening and all day Sunday, HoLa Fest celebrates Hispanic culture with a Fiesta Latina, live music, dancing, draft beer, home-cooked food, artisan craft vendors, a Parade of Nations, 21 educational Hispanic Heritage booths, children’s activities, and community resources.

A $3 donation will be required by each person aged 12 years and up to enter the Festival. Current HoLa Hora Latina members enter for free. The festival runs from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday with a fireworks show at 9 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

UT Board of Trustees approves guaranteed admissions policy

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees on Friday voted to guarantee admissions for Tennessee’s top high school students to all UT System campuses, including Knoxville. The enhanced admissions policy is an effort to further the university’s land-grant mission and recruit the brightest Tennessee students.

Specific to the flagship campus in Knoxville, the new undergraduate admissions policy would guarantee admission to the university to all Tennessee high school students who meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Finish in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class or
  • Achieve a 4.0 or higher core grade-point average.

The UT System has information about how the new admissions policy impacts other campuses in the system.

New investor directory now available

With the retirement of iKnowKnoxville earlier this year, the Knoxville Chamber has launched a new online investor directory. Now is a great time to review your company’s listing and advise the Chamber of any changes. This directory is meant to serve as a resource as your company looks to partner with other investors in the area.

With 1,435 companies searchable by keyword or 19 different topical categories, this investor directory is free and accessible to anyone looking to make investor connections.

Knoxville Chamber to host Talent Retention Panel

Join the Knoxville Chamber on Tuesday, September 19, from 9-10 a.m. for a panel to learn how your organization can engage with employees in a meaningful way and retain their talent.

Panelists include representatives from Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, Young Professionals of Knoxville, and Axle Logistics.

Light breakfast will be served. Reserve your free spot here.



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