Events for November 2017
Charleston Area Alliance
Oct 3 - Nov 14    Thrive Entrepreneur Application 2017
Thrive is a community-based approach to supporting local entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs take the stage to present their crowdfunding pitch campaign, competing against one another for community members' votes.

Entrepreneurs find ambassadors who can spread their brand's message and the top vote-getting entrepreneur takes home a cash prize to scale up their operation. 

Click 'Register Now' above to apply. Choose the 'Click here to continue your event registration' link under the 'Not a member?' heading to proceed to application.

How does it work?

Whether you have a fantastic idea, are looking to expand or are a startup already operating ? if you have a business or product that could use financial support, then apply to participate in Thrive. 
  • Entrepreneur applicants must register online by 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. Must be 18 by Dec. 5 to apply.
  • Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of judges who will select finalists to be featured at Thrive.
  • Leading up to the event, finalists meet with University of Charleston Innovation Center business coaches to get tips and suggestions for their respective business plan presentations.
  • Finalists pitch business plan to promote their idea and outline need for capital investment at Thrive.
  • Top vote-getting entrepreneur will take home cash prize to scale-up operations.
Where does capital investment come from?
  • Community members pay a $25 entry fee to attend Thrive, which gives them the opportunity to vote for an entrepreneur to support for capital investment.
  • Community member attendance fees are combined with seed capital from event sponsors for the top vote-getter's capital investment. 
Click here for more information on the Thrive entrepreneur application process. 
Date: October 3, 2017
Location: University of Charleston Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center
2300 MacCorkle Ave. SE, Charleston, WV 25304
 
Contact: Chris Ferro, Vice President of Economic Development
EMail: cferro@charlestonareaalliance.org
Date/Time Details:
  • Thrive applications are due by 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12
  • Finalists will be announced Nov. 9
  • Finalist attend business coaching Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the University of Charleston Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center
  • Thrive: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, with doors opening for Entrepreneur Meet & Greet at 5 p.m. 
Fees/Admission: There is no fee to apply. You do not have to be a Charleston Area Alliance member to apply.
Oct 15 - Nov 18    Holiday Window Display Contest Registration 2017

Are you ready to dazzle? This holiday season downtown businesses, as well as businesses throughout the Kanawha Valley, are encouraged to decorate downtown windows with colorful and festive displays.

Whether you inspire onlookers with twinkling lights, give them toothaches with gigantic candy canes or take them through a whimsical journey – the holiday window display competition will surely draw the masses to come downtown and shop small.

If you are a downtown business with a physical storefront, dress up your windows with a holiday makeover. If your business does not have a downtown brick and mortar presence, you can still participate by partnering with an existing downtown business to create a winter wonderland. Businesses can also team up with artists, schools, churches and nonprofits to create a one-of-a-kind display. 

Award Categories:
  • Best Overall
  • Best Use of Product or Merchandise
  • Best Theme
  • Most Original
  • People’s Choice

Winner of the Holiday Window Display Contest People’s Choice Award will receive an advertising package from WCHS-TV.

Participating businesses are encouraged to use white LED lights – tying into the Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Light Up Charleston initiative – to bring the window vignettes to life. For more information on Light Up Charleston, contact Samantha Carney, Charleston CVB sports and special events manager.  

Click here  for Holiday Window Display Contest guidelines. 

Date: October 15, 2017
Location: Downtown Charleston
Contact: Anne Strawn, Downtown Charleston Events Coordinator
EMail: astrawn@charlestonareaalliance.org
Date/Time Details: Nov. 18:  Registration closes.
Nov. 25:  People’s Choice voting begins.
Dec. 10:  Judges select winners.
Dec. 17:  People's Choice voting ends.
Dec. 21:  Winners announced. 
Fees/Admission: There is no fee to participate. Businesses do not have to be a member of the Charleston Area Alliance to participate. Registration is required to be considered for judging.
Nov 2    Leadership Kanawha Valley 2017-2018

Leadership Kanawha Valley is a program to develop, support and connect emerging talent throughout the region. From young professionals to senior executives, the program gives participants the tools, knowledge, experiences and connections to enhance their community impact.

Sponsored by Frontier Communications and Thomas Health System, Leadership Kanawha Valley builds strong connections across private, public and nonprofit sectors and helps graduates find their place in the community. 

Through the eight-month program, participants learn about the issues shaping the community from the experts working on them, form lasting bonds with classmates who are active leaders and strengthen professional skills with a leadership development curriculum. The program works to inspire participants to become more impactful leaders and maintain involvement in the social, business and political fabric of the community.

Since 2004, more than 325 have joined the Leadership Kanawha Valley alumni network. 
 

Date: November 2, 2017
Location: Leadership Kanawha Valley locations vary each month. 
Contact: Susie Salisbury
EMail: ssalisbury@charlestonareaalliance.org
Date/Time Details:

Full-day program sessions are scheduled on the first Thursday of every month September 2017 - April 2018*. 

  • Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017
  • Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017
  • Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017
  • Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017
  • Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018
  • Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018
  • Thursday, March 1, 2018
  • Thursday, April 5, 2018
*Program sessions are subject to change. Participants must attend seven of the eight scheduled program sessions to graduate.
Fees/Admission: Registration is $495 for Alliance members and $595 for future Alliance members. This fee includes all program expenses and admission to Alliance Business After Hours networking events September 2017 - April 2018.  

If you are not yet a member of the Alliance, we invite you to join today. Click here for more information.


 
Nov 2    Armstrong Insurance Group Ribbon Cutting
Armstrong Insurance Group, an American National insurance agency, will celebrate its opening with a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 at the agency, located at 5035 Elk River Rd. S. in Elkview.

Kay Armstrong, an insurance industry professional, matches customers with the proper coverages for their lifestyles. Armstrong and her customer service team can help customers with auto insurance as well as homeowners, renters, motorcycle, umbrella, RV insurance and more forms of insurance.
 
“We’re eager to bring competitively priced insurance products to the region,” said Armstrong. “We look forward to offering competitive rates with a personal touch to those not only living in Elkview, but the entire Kanawha Valley.”
 
Armstrong and the office’s experienced customer service representative Rosalie Lipscomb understand the unique insurance needs of area residents.
 
Armstrong Insurance Group offers a comprehensive portfolio of insurance products and services, all of which can be tailored to meet the customer’s unique needs. American National offers typical products like auto insurance, home insurance and life insurance, as well as more specialized coverage like classic auto insurance and watercraft insurance.
 
Licensed in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio, Armstrong offers multi-line discounts to policyholders, as well as additional savings for those who are members of certain professional or educational associations.
 
Weekday hours for Armstrong Insurance Group are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and evenings and weekends by appointment. To get a quote or learn more about Armstrong Insurance Group visit https://mlagents.americannational.com/kayarmstrong-16882/ or call 304-382-1099.
 
American National Insurance Company (American National), headquartered in Galveston, Texas, was founded in 1905 and is licensed in all states except New York. American National and its subsidiaries offer a broad line of products and services, which include life insurance, annuities, health insurance, credit insurance, pension products, and property and casualty insurance for personal lines, agribusiness and certain commercial exposures. American National companies operate in all 50 states.
Date: November 2, 2017
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Website: https://mlagents.americannational.com/kayarmstrong-16882/
Location:

Armstrong Insurance Group
5035 Elk River Rd. S. 
Elkview, WV

Contact: Kay Armstrong
Date/Time Details: 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2
Nov 13    Elevations with Emily Bennington: How the Most Remarkable Leaders Think - An Introduction to Mindful Leadership

Bestselling Author Emily BenningtonBestselling Author Emily Bennington will present "How the Most Remarkable Leaders Think: An Introduction to Mindful Leadership" at the Charleston Area Alliance Elevations Professional Women’s Network Luncheon at noon Monday, Nov. 13 at the Charleston Marriott. 

A Charleston native, Bennington is the bestselling author of three books and the founder of AWAKE EXEC™ mindful wisdom at work. Her programs and courses deep dive into “the space” between stimulus and response where she challenges professionals to choose intentional, values-centered action.

As a special bonus, anyone who registeres for the luncheon will receive a FREE copy of Bennington's Awake Exec: Minfful Wisdom at work digital course. This course (valued at $149) features seen videos, seen campion handouts and is yours as a gift for joining us. Visit www.AwakeExec.com to learn more. 

Presented with title sponsorship from Dow Chemical, the Elevations luncheon and workshop series supports the economic enrichment and empowerment of women in the Kanawha Valley. 

To effectively lead yourself and others, you have to understand the cause and effect relationship between what you think and what you do. Since what you do is the driver of your results, if you want those results to be better you have to go to the source, meaning you must shift your thinking in a way that takes full responsibility for how you experience your own life.

This presentation will show you how to do just that through a process designed to help you respond to your circumstances – whatever they are – from an empowered place, rather than simply reacting to the chaos that surrounds us all. You’ll learn the “Four Questions” process for wise decision-making, you’ll be introduced to a proven tool psychologists use to interrupt negative thought patterns, and you’ll also receive a virtues, intentions, and goals template that will clarify your most important leadership behaviors. Indeed, with the level of disruption and uncertainty in business today, we must all respond to these and other pressures with greater poise, agility, and patience than ever before. Come discover how a practice that started more than two thousand years ago is your leadership edge of today.

Named one of Monster.com’s 11 Career Experts to Follow, Bennington has led training programs on composure for numerous Fortune 500 companies and has been featured in press ranging from CNN, ABC, and Fox, to the Wall Street Journal, Glamour, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan. Her blog, Grace, touches a growing tribe of thousands seeking a holistic approach to being in the world and, while her blog is gender-neutral, Forbes has listed Emily’s site as one of the “100 Best Websites for Women.”

Elevations with Emily Bennington is presented with supporting sponsorship from Appalachian Power and United Bank.

Invoicing is available for groups of 10 or more. No refunds are issued within 48 hours of the event. 

Date: November 13, 2017
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Marriott Charleston Town Center 
200 Lee Street, East 
Charleston, WV 25301
Contact: Lesli Forbes
EMail: lforbes@charlestonareaalliance.org
Date/Time Details:

Check-in:  11:30 a.m. - Noon
Luncheon:  Noon
Monday, Nov. 13

The luncheon opens at 11:30 a.m. with informal networking, followed by a seated luncheon and conversation with Emily Bennington at noon. 

Fees/Admission: $50 for Alliance members
$60 for future Alliance members

After Nov. 7 at 11:30 a.m.
$60 for Alliance members
$70 for future Alliance members

Please email Paula Sims with special dietary requests or restrictions. 
Nov 16    WV Market Gallery Ribbon Cutting
WV Market Gallery will mark the opening of its new Charleston location with a ribbon cutting celebration at noon Thursday, Nov. 16 at 200 Hale St. in downtown Charleston.
 
The Charleston store is the third WV Market location, with other stores in Snowshoe and Vienna. The store aims to display the beauty and tradition of West Virginia life and celebrate the rich heritage of quality artisans and craftspeople.
 
“We’d like to thank WV Market Gallery for its investment in the Kanawha Valley and congratulate the store on its new location,” said Matt Ballard, CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance. “It’s a great addition to the mix of retail stores and restaurants in downtown Charleston.”
 
Owned and operated by Parween Mascari, the store offers an array of handmade products including pottery, glassware and jewelry as well as a carefully selected assortment of West Virginia books, home goods, soaps, lotions and gourmet food items.
 
“Our goal is to promote the beautiful and original work of talented West Virginia artists, authors and food producers,” said Mascari. “We strive to surround customers with a warmth of local flavor and give them an opportunity to bring our amazing West Virginia heritage into their homes.”
 
The gallery is located in the center of downtown Charleston along Hale Street, which boasts a variety of art galleries and restaurants representing the rich and colorful history of Charleston.
 
For more information visit www.thewvmarket.com.
 
Date: November 16, 2017
Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Location:

WV Market Gallery
200 Hale St.
Charleston, WV 25301

Date/Time Details: Noon Thursday, Nov. 16
Fees/Admission: This is a free event and open to the public.
Nov 16    Sky Zone Charleston Ribbon Cutting
Sky Zone, creator of the world’s first indoor trampoline playing court, will mark the opening of its new Charleston location with a ribbon cutting celebration at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at 500 Southridge Blvd. in Charleston.
 
Sky Zone Charleston is one of more than 180 locations of the indoor trampoline park that offers an array of fun activities ranging from FreeStyle Jump, Ultimate Dodgeball, and SkyFit classes to unique and memorable birthday parties.
 
Sky Zone Charleston will open to the public officially on Saturday, Nov. 18.  To commemorate, the park will host its grand opening celebration 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. The fun-filled day will feature special appearances from Batman and his friends, giveaways, and music provided by AAA Entertainment. To honor military veterans in the Kanawha Valley, the trampoline park will donate a portion of its ticket sales on opening day to the Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center Veteran’s Program.
 
“Sky Zone offers kids, teens and adults a one-of-a-kind experience, fusing fun and fitness while promoting a healthy lifestyle,” said Sheila Nease, franchise owner of Sky Zone Charleston. “We’re looking forward to bringing Sky Zone’s first park to the state and providing the community with an active, fun entertainment destination.” Sheila, along with her business partner and husband, Dr. Blaine Nease, are passionate advocates of health and wellness.
 
Sky Zone is designated as a fun and fit outing for all ages. The park covers more than 30,000 square feet and will feature brand new attractions such as its Warrior Course, an obstacle course with varying degrees of difficulty, a three-lane Warped Wall, DropZone, and Sky Ladder, a fidgety ladder over an airbag that challenges you to make it to the other side without falling. In addition, Sky Zone will offer a large freeclimbing bouldering wall, properly named FreeClimb.
 
Charleston’s brand-new trampoline park is the perfect facility for groups seeking memorable events such as birthday parties, corporate team building, field trips, and much more. Every guest is invited to have fun and fly safe at Sky Zone.
 
Sky Zone Charleston will employ nearly 100 part time employees.
 
More information is available at www.skyzone.com/charleston-wv or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SkyZoneCharlestonWV
 
About Sky Zone, LLC
Since creating the world’s first all-walled trampoline playing court in 2004, Sky Zone, LLC has expanded its unique concept to franchises across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. The franchise has been awarded various accolades, including being ranked the second Fastest Growing Franchise by Inc., the second Smartest Growing Brand by Franchise Times, 308 on Entrepreneur's 2016 Franchise 500 list, 273 on the 2015 Inc.'s 500/5000 list, 152 on the 2014 Inc.'s 500/5000 list, and 55 on the Forbes America's Most Promising Companies list.
 
Date: November 16, 2017
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: 500 Southridge Blvd. 
Charleston, WV 25301
Date/Time Details: 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16
Nov 16    Business After Hours - Four Points by Sheraton 2017

Join us for a Business After at Four Points by Sheraton 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. 

Connect with colleagues and network with business and community leaders at this monthly Alliance event. Four Points by Sheraton sits in the heart of downtown Charleston and features 176 rooms, six meeting spaces with nearly 9,000 square feet of function space and a Lobby Lounge offering morning breakfast and evening cocktails. 

Registration is $15 for Alliance members and $25 for future members. Add $10 if registering less than 24 hours in advance. 

No refunds are issued within 48 hours of the event. Invoicing is available for groups of 10 or more.

Date: November 16, 2017
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location:

Four Points by Sheraton
600 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25301

Contact: Jeri Adkins
EMail: jadkins@charlestonareaalliance.org
Date/Time Details: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16
 
Fees/Admission:

$15 - Alliance Members
$25 - Future Members
Add $10 for tickets purchased less than 24 hours in advance.
 

Nov 17    Filmanatix Ribbon Cutting
Filmanatix, a creative video production company, will celebrate the opening of its new downtown Charleston office with a ribbon cutting celebration at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 at 1031 Quarrier St., Suite A.  
 
The company provides high-quality video content for businesses – aiming to transform creative content into meaningful relationships. Filmanatix offers video production, personal branding and social media management services.

Owned and operated by Caleb Akers and Benjamin Mason, the content creation and social media management company focuses on producing creative video content and implementing it through social media platforms. The company aims to maximize its clients’ marketing potential and create value.
 
“We know how important social media is and how it can play a huge part in gaining new customers and maintaining relationships with those customers,” said Caleb Akers, Filmanatix co-founder. “A majority of our clients come directly from social media and, because of that; we have proven that it works.”

Filmanatix creates brand videos that capture the heart of its clients’ businesses and inspires the respective target audiences. The company works with a wide range of clients across a diverse range of industries. From a pediatric dentist to the West Virginia Parkinson’s Support Network, Filmanatix can captures the audience’s attention and maximizes sharing across social media platforms.
 
The company also offers drone and photography services, website design and maintenance and logo design.
 
For more information or to check out the company’s portfolio of work, visit www.filmanatix.com.
 
Date: November 17, 2017
Time: 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: 1031 Quarrier St. Suite A
Charleston, WV 25301
Date/Time Details: 3 p.m. Friday Nov. 17
Fees/Admission: This is a free event and open to the public. 
Nov 24    ArtWalk - Nov. Black Friday 2017

Celebrating its 15th year, Downtown Charleston ArtWalk is a free self-guided walking tour of Charleston’s shops, galleries and businesses featuring regional art and performances. This special edition of ArtWalk falls on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. 

For details about this month's ArtWalk, visit the Downtown Charleston ArtWalk website for the monthly participating venue map. Participating shops are located in Downtown Charleston and feature a variety of art – from paintings and sculptures to photography and music.

Attendees can stroll along at their own pace, dip in and out of stores and stop off along the way for a bite to eat at a downtown restaurant. This well-loved family-friendly event takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. and attracts art aficionados as well as folks who just want to get out and try something new. 

For more information, visit www.artwalkcwv.com. ArtWalk is sponsored by the Masters Law Firm. 

Date: November 24, 2017
Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Website: http://www.artwalkcwv.com
Location: Downtown Charleston. Check monthly map for participating venues. 
Contact: Susie Salisbury
EMail: ssalisbury@charlestonareaalliance.org
Date/Time Details: 5 - 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 24
Fees/Admission: This is a free event. Visit www.artwalkcwv.com to learn more about this month's participating locations.
Nov 25 - Dec 17    Holiday Window Display Competition

More than 25 local businesses have decorated downtown Charleston storefronts for the Charleston Area Alliance's inaugural Holiday Window Decorating Contest, sponsored by WCHS-TV and Tony the Tailor. 

With twinkling lights, gigantic candy canes and colorful trees – the holiday window display competition aims to draw the masses to come downtown and shop small during the holiday season.

Starting on Small Business Saturday Nov. 25 and continuing through Dec. 17, you can vote on your favorite dressed up downtown window. The People's Choice winner will receive an advertising package on WCHS-TV.

Click here to vote for your favorite window display. 

Participating businesses are comprised of downtown businesses with physical storefronts as well as local companies who have partnered with existing downtown businesses or leasing agents to create a window vignettes in vacant storefronts. Many participants have also teamed up with artists, schools, churches and nonprofits to create a one-of-a-kind display. 

Special thanks to the more than two dozen businesses and organizations who have worked hard to inspire onlookers this holiday season, including:
  • Art Emporium, 823 Quarrier St.                               
  • Asher Agency, 117 Summers St.
  • CB Hall Insurance Agency, 239 Capitol St. 
  • Children's Theater of Charleston, 817 B Quarrier St.
  • City National Bank, 10 Hale St. 
  • Cooporris18, 817 C Quarrier St. 
  • Delfine's Jewelry, 245 Capitol St. 
  • Dressmaker's Closet, 1021 Quarrier St.
  • Elite Coal Services, 1031 Quarrier St.
  • Ellen's Homemade Ice Cream, 225 Capitol St.
  • Food Among the Flowers, 1038 Quarrier St.
  • Hendrickson & Long, 214 Capitol St.
  • House of Luxe, 817 A Quarrier St.
  • Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St.
  • Lord Hoosier, 225 Hale St.
  • Oddbird Gift Emporium, 247 Capitol St.
  • Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, 901 Quarrier St.
  • Real Estate Central, 5 Summers St.
  • The Art Store, 233 Hale St.
  • The Charleston Ballet, 111 Hale St.
  • The Consignment Company, 221 Capitol St.
  • The Lucky Dill, 122 Capitol St.
  • Tony the Tailor, 822 Virginia St.
  • Tops Off Barbershop Salon & Spa, 229 Hale St. 
  • Warner Law Offices, 227 Capitol St.
Date: November 25, 2017
Location: Click here for a full map of holiday windows. 
Contact: Anne Strawn
EMail: astrawn@charlestonareaalliance.org
Date/Time Details: People's Choice Voting: Nov. 25 - Dec. 17
Contest winners announced at Art After Dark at The Clay Center Dec. 21
Nov 25    Small Business Saturday

Two days following Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday gives small businesses the chance to showcase the variety and quality of their goods while cultivating a network of independent businesses united for a common cause – making the Charleston area a better place to live. From fine jewelry to antiques to dining establishments, Small Business Saturday supports all types of retailers and service providers. Small Business Saturday is a day to #shopsmallwv!

To inspire our community to get out and support these small, local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy, and make the Kanawha Valley unique, the Charleston Area Alliance has been a Small Business Saturday Neighborhood Champion since 2011. Each year we partner with small businesses from all corners of the region to remind our community about the advantages of shopping small, encouraging shoppers to reinvest their hard-earned money back into our community.

Whether you are a small business owner or a consumer, please shop small this year on November 25th.
Date: November 25, 2017
Contact: Susie Salisbury, Vice President of Community Development
EMail: ssalisbury@charlestonareaalliance.org