2025 Economic Impact Day

May 15, 2025 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM (EDT)

Description

“Building a Resilient Economy by Empowering our Entire Community”

This event, presented in partnership with East Greensboro NOW, fosters regional economic impact by bringing businesses together for opportunities, education, resources, and networking. The focus centers on the impacts of recent legislation on the small business community.

The day begins with the Triad Business Journal’s Leaders in Diversity Panel and lunch, followed by sessions for small businesses and corporate representatives interested in learning more about driving economic impact..

Resource booths will also be featured to provide support to business owners. Sponsoring this event allows you to partner with regional businesses, participate in vital conversations, and contribute to building a robust business economy in our region.

Schedule:

11:00-11:45    Check-in, networking, visit resource tables

11:45-12:00    Welcome Remarks

12-12:45         Leaders in Diversity Panel (during lunch)

12:45-1:00      Break

1:00-1:30       Intention Setting-Jerrianne Jackson, Interise

Have you ever left a professional networking event, workshop, or industry conference brimming with ideas and inspiration, only to forget everything you learned the second you get back to work? In this short session, Interise will be helping Economic Impact Day attendees focus on their goals, learning objectives, and strategies for making the most out of the day’s offerings. Whether it’s connecting with five new potential clients or finally understanding the difference between a business loan and a line of credit (and everything in between), this session will ensure that you start the day with a strategic mindset and end it with tangible, actionable results.

1:30-2:15       Why Certification Matters in a “Merit-Based” Economy- Greg Watson, VP of Strategic Operations, CVMSDC and a representative from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)

In this session, you will learn about the benefits and uses of professional certification for your business. Recently, legislation has begun eliminating supplier diversity programs in the public and private sector. For any business of any kind, certification still matters! If you are already certified, learn how you can make the most of it in a new “merit-based” economy. If you are not certified, learn the whys and how’s of the process.

2:15-2:30       Break

2:30-3:15       Funding Panel | What kind of capital is right for your business? - Michael McKinney, CEO, Piedmont Business Capital; Wilson Lester, Managing Partner of PIE (partners in equity); and a representative from M&F Bank.

Have you ever been worried about your business’ finances? Even if you haven’t, you may be missing out on opportunities to fortify your financial position and increase your competitive advantage. In this panel, you will learn about the benefits and drawbacks of different types of businesses capital directly from the experts who offer them: a Community Development Financial Institution, a Venture Capital firm, and a traditional bank.

3:15-3:30       Break

3:30-4:15       Unpacking the Noise: What's Next for Equity? – Kiva Elliott and Millie Russell Co-Founders Riott for Change

Join us for a thought-provoking session as we delve into the current landscape of equity and explore the next steps for meaningful progress. We will have dialogue to unpack the noise surrounding equity, highlight the challenges, and discuss actionable strategies for creating lasting impact. Just bring your voice and let’s tackle what’s truly next for equity in today’s evolving world.

4:30-5:30       Networking/resource tables

Location

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University