What to Expect
Networking
Social capital is one of the most valuable things an entrepreneur can have. Knowing folks what other folks are doing and how their efforts might be multiplied can make all the difference! The Summit will bring people together to widen everyone's network.
Inspiration
Starting something from nothing is hard. Hearing stories of other's successes – or failures! – can often times be the motivation to keep pressing through the hard times. No one's entrepreneurial journey is a straight line and it's important to hear these stories.
Actionable Skills
The workshops and breakout sessions will equip entrepreneurs with inspirations and new skills that they can immediately put into practice to better their businesses. This will create more services, job opportunities and economic growth for our region.
Business Support
The Summit will connect attendees to entrepreneurial support organizations across the Valley and bring in professionals like lawyers, CPAs, and leadership specialists to hone their skills and refine their businesses.
Schedule
Monday, Sept 12
(Staunton Innovation Hub)
4:00 p.m. – Registration
5:00 p.m. – Opening Meeting
Fearing Forward – Fireside chat with Tisha McCoy-Ntiamoah, founder of PrePOPsterous!
6:00 p.m. – Dinner/food trucks & DANCE PARTY WOOHOO!
Tuesday, Sept 13
8:30- Breakfast
9:30 a.m. – Morning Motivation Panel: Mental Health and Work Life Balance
10:40 a.m. – Breakout Session 1
Finance: The Basics
Bootstrap v. Equity Investment
Get Stuff Done Session 1
11:35 a.m. – Breakout Session 2
The Big T: Taxes
Exit Strategy from Day 1
Get Stuff Done Session 2
12:30 p.m. – Lunch
2:00 p.m. – Breakout Session 3
Customer Discovery Through the Life of Your Business
Team Building
Get Stuff Done Session 3
2:55 p.m. – Breakout Session 4
Social Media: Beyond the Basics
Product Development
Get Stuff Done Session 4
3:50 p.m. – Office Hours
Get Stuff Done Session 5
Resource Office Hours
Break
4:45 p.m. – Wrap Up Huddle
5:30 p.m. – Staunton Stroll!
Covid Protocol
As rural conveners, we share the following expectations:
We are colleagues, not enforcers. The safety of our Summit attendees is our top priority. An inherent risk of exposure to Covid-19 and its variants exists in any public place where people are present. Covid-19 is an extremely dangerous disease that can lead to severe illness and death. Each Summit attendee understands their level of risk to catch Covid-19 and should practice whatever precautions they are comfortable with. At the same time, adherence to any new safety standards set in place by the CDC, State of Virginia or SCCF staff is a shared responsibility.
While people of all ages and health conditions have been adversely affected by Covid-19, certain people have been identified by public health authorities as having greater risk based on age and/or underlying medical conditions. No precautions can completely eliminate the risk of exposure to Covid-19. Attendees of Shenandoah Valley Entrepreneurship Summit (SVES) events voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to Covid-19 and its variants, and are advised to undertake precautions deemed necessary, to include those recommended by the CDC and the State of Virginia.
The Shenandoah Community Capital Fund (SCCF) will be following all CDC Guidelines for the Summit to keep everyone safe.
- Proof of vaccination is not required, but strongly encouraged. COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Getting vaccinated is the best way to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
- Masks will not be required, however they are strongly encouraged for those with higher risk per the CDC guidelines. We will respect anyone who personally follows more strict guidelines than us.
- We will commit to transparency. We will practice self-monitoring for symptoms, and we will report any concerns to the SCCF staff.
- We will practice smart social distancing during the length of the event. We will provide Green, Yellow and Red stickers to place on your name tag to indicate your comfort level with close interaction.
- While we will not require proof of a negative test or proof of vaccination, if you are experiencing symptoms please test or consider not attending. Stay home if you test positive, even if you do not have symptoms.
- Wash your hands often. The Summit will provide hand sanitizer around the SIH venue.
SCCF reserves the right to change these policies at any time, including during the Summit dates, based on current CDC Guidelines, community infection and vaccination rates, or the development of new variants.
Sponsors
Are you or your business interested in supporting Valley entrepreneurs? Sponsorships are still available!
Becoming a sponsor for our Summit is a fantastic opportunity to:
– Be a part of building an ecosystem of economic success for our region
– Get your brand directly in front of entrepreneurs who are in need of resources like yours
– Join us for the social events free of charge
– Build relationships with other companies who support innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship
Please email [email protected] to discuss the next steps!
Sponsorship opportunities include:
Workshop Sponsor
$250
Help us bring experts from across the region to support entrepreneurs and support the general Summit budget.
Recognition as the Workshop sponsor on our website with company Logo Placement (displayed on Summit webpage, promotional materials, at event, and email blasts)
Two Invitations to Opening Night Party
There are 5 Workshop Sponsorships available for the 2022 Summit
Ticket Sponsor
$500
Help us keep our ticket prices down!
Recognition as the Ticket sponsor on our website with company Logo Placement (displayed on Summit webpage, promotional materials, at event, and email blasts)
Special recognition on event ticketing “Your ticket is supported by Your Business” and a special social media release of the lowered prices with your business highlighted
One Invitations to Opening Night party and closing Pop-Up Market
Only 2 Ticket Sponsorships are available for the 2022 Summit
Staunton Stroll Sponsor
$500
Fund our closing night Staunton Stroll that will showcase and celebrate Staunton entrepreneurs and small businesses for Summit participants.
Recognition as the Stroll sponsor on our website with company Logo Placement (displayed on Summit webpage, promotional materials, at event, and email blasts)
Invitation to Opening Night party
Offer opening remarks before the Stroll
Only 1 Stroll Sponsorship is available for the 2022 Summit
Toast Sponsor
$750
Help us get the party started by fully funding all drinks for the summit. This would allow us to pay local breweries and vineyards at full price and have a great time
Recognition as a Toast sponsor on our website with company Logo Placement (displayed on Summit webpage, promotional materials, at event, and email blasts)
Two Invitations to Opening Night party and closing Pop-Up Market
There are 2 Toast Sponsorships available for the 2022 Summit.
Meals Sponsor
$2500
Help fund our meals for the summit. This would allow us to pay local vendors at full price and eat well all Summit long
Recognition as the Meal sponsor on our website with company Logo Placement (displayed on Summit webpage, promotional materials, at event, and email blasts)
Two Complimentary admissions to the Summit
Two Invitations to Opening Night party and closing Pop-Up Market
2 Meal Sponsorships are available for the 2022 Summit