Entrepreneurship Summit

Shenandoah Valley

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Summit

Fall 2025 | Stay tuned for details!

Learning by Doing

Every year, SCCF hosts the regional Shenandoah Valley Entrepreneurship Summit, a premier event for entrepreneurs and small business owners across the Shenandoah Valley.

For the third annual SVESummit, our theme was ‘Learning by Doing.’ This past year, in addition to inspiring panel discussions and networking opportunities, attendees participated in interactive workshop-style sessions. Led by industry experts with years of experience, these workshops provided attendees with tangible tools and strategies to start, run, or grow their businesses.

Check out our photos below for a glimpse at past Shenandoah Valley Entrepreneurship Summits!

Look back at the 2024 Summit

Each workshop session has two tracks - Track A was an introductory-level session for entrepreneurs who were new to the subject or wanted to go back to the foundations of the workshop topic. Track B was a higher-level session for entrepreneurs who had mastered the foundations and were ready to build on their skills. In both tracks, participants received hands-on learning, time for questions and conversation, and walked away with a new tool to begin implementing in their business!

Monday, September 9th:

9:00 am: Doors open for registration, breakfast (included with your ticket)

10:00 am: Welcome presentation

10:45 am: Workshop session #1 - Talking About Your Business

Track A - Writing a Business Plan with Chrissy Weiss and Gabrielle Cash

Track B - Pitching Your Business with Kathryn Tuttle and Katie Overfield-Zook

12:00 pm: Lunch (included with your ticket)

1:30 pm: Workshop session #2 - Government Contracting and YOU

Track A - What is GovCon? with Will Swann

Track B - Get SWAM Certified with Allison Dugan and Ramain Gohar

2:45 pm: Workshop session #3 - Digital Marketing Strategy

Track A - Creating a Content Calendar with Ashley Wenger

Track B - Your Online Presence with SEO with Alison Denbigh and Chris McVey

4:00 pm: Fail Fest

The idea of failure is scary, but it's actually an exciting point in a business journey. "Failing" means you've learned something, and now you know what not to do (and eventually it becomes a funny story). In this new exercise from the SCCF team, we're going to practice what it looks like if we CELEBRATE our failures instead of running in fear of them.

5:30 pm: Happy hour and Capacitor Demo Day at the Loft at Liberty St (included with your ticket)

Join us at the Loft at Liberty St in Downtown Harrisonburg and check out what our Capacitor Incubator Program participants have been working on for the past 12 months! Meet the entrepreneurs, learn about the program, and enjoy free samples and demonstrations!

Tuesday, September 10th:

9:00 am: Breakfast

9:30 am: Keynote presentation - Inclusive Language in Your Business from Leah Kyaio

Local entrepreneur, Leah Kyaio is the founder of RespexTech Inc, fostering respect one message at a time. Leah has been a DEI Consultant for several years. She will be sharing with her fellow business owners why inclusive language is necessary in your business, and how to implement it.

10:45 am: Workshop session #4 - You Don't Need Another You

Track A - Your First Hire with Elaine Wilson

Track B - Finding Student Interns with Mary Sullivan

12:00 pm: Wrap up and farewell!

Hear from past attendees

Damian Grey

One of the things I’ve enjoyed very much about this event is that they allow the entrepreneur to actually breathe at the event, take in the information, and the information is actually relatable. It’s information that’s coming from real world entrepreneurs, people who have gone through this.

FAQs

Who is the Summit for?

The Shenandoah Valley Entrepreneurship Summit is designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, dreamers, and doers from across the Shenandoah Valley. Whether you are in the idea stage of your business, have been running your side hustle for years, or are ready to scale your business, you will find informative and approachable sessions for you. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, how much money you make a year, or where you live in the Valley YOU ARE INVITED!

What should I bring?

This year's Summit workshops are going to be very hands-on. We suggest bringing a notebook, pens, and your laptop/tablet (and charger!) so that you can follow along with your facilitator. We also encourage you to bring your business cards to share with your fellow attendees!

Where can I park?

There will be reserved parking spaces on JMU's campus. Stay tuned for more details.

I have food allergies, can I bring my own food?

Yes! You can absolutely bring your own food - just let us know if you will and if you need a refrigerator to store your food in and we will show you where it is. Remember to label your food. :)

I use a wheelchair, is the venue accessible?

Yes! Our venue is accessible - you'll find accessible parking, entry, restrooms, pathways, and everything else you'll need.

Code of Conduct

Come as you are!

There is no expected business dress code for the Summit, however, we encourage you to put your best foot forward, and represent yourself and your business how you see fit.

Be welcoming. A thriving ecosystem takes all kinds!

The Shenandoah Valley Entrepreneurship Summit is an event for entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey. Support those who are earlier than you and learn from those farther down the line. Additionally, the SVES and SCCF is dedicated to providing a safe conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. If a Participant engages in unacceptable behavior, the SCCF may take any action it deems appropriate, including warning or expelling the offender from the event with no refund.