Business conference to highlight local success stories
A two-day statewide conference entitled “Revitalizing Neighborhoods through Entrepreneurism” will take a surprising look at Staunton-based success stories.
Hosted by the Virginia Microenterprise Network in association with Virginia Main Street, the conference, to be held Thursday and Friday, will combine national speakers exploring how entrepreneurism and microdevelopment have revitalized communities across the county with a highly-local examination of on-the-ground successes.
“We are excited to use Staunton as a showcase for integrated community development,” says Meghan Williamson, executive director of the Staunton Creative Community Fund, Inc. and Vice-President of the Virginia Microenterprise Network. “The conference will include walking tours and one-on-one discussions with Staunton-based entrepreneurs; panel discussions with environmentally sustainable businesses throughout the Valley; and presentations from local community leaders including Staunton Economic Development, Staunton Downtown Development Association, Valley Conservation Council, and Historic Staunton Foundation.”
“We are excited to be breaking the mold of the traditional conference structure, where expert-led power points dominate the discussion. We’re hoping to put feet on the street and to inspire in-person discussions between community developers, local business owners, arts and cultural destinations, and national policy leaders,” adds Williamson.
Staunton and Shenandoah Valley businesses to be featured during the conference include the Friendly City Food Co-op, George Bowers Grocery, Mockingbird restaurant and music room, and Sunspots Studio, along with non-profit ventures such as the American Shakespeare Center, Staunton Green 2020, Friends of the Middle River, and Mary Baldwin College.
In addition to its local focus, the conference will also feature national economic development leaders including Jodi Raskind, Director of the Office of Capital Access, Microloan Program Branch for the U.S. Small Business Administration and Connie Evans, President and CEO of the national Association for Enterprise Opportunity. A full conference agenda, which includes presentations from the Aspen Institute, Handmade in America, Virginia Main Street and Virginia Enterprise Initiative, is attached to this release.
The conference will be held in the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center. Registration is still open to the public and will remain so throughout the event.
Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
