Shenandoah Valley

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Summit 2023

2024 Coming Soon | Harrisonburg

Gain 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.

Be Inspired

Starting something from nothing is hard. Hearing stories of other's successes – or failures! – can oftentimes 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.

Develop 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.

Network

Social capital is one of the most valuable things an entrepreneur can have. Knowing 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.

What to expect at the 2023 Summit

Day 1: Monday

9:00 am: Registration and breakfast provided by Magpie Diner
Industry networking - make some new friends to spend the next two days with!
Welcome presentation from SCCF
Lunch provided by Magpie Diner (and an optional unplugged lunch for those who'd like to disconnect from your device and connect with your fellow attendees)
Breakout session 1 (choose one)
- Panel: You Can Patent That with Anna Flewlling and Ben Rothermel
- Workshop: What Not To Do When Pitching Your Company by Jared Burden
Breakout session 2 (choose one)
- Panel: Alternate Funding Streams with Debbie Irwin, Jon Henry, and KiKi Scott
- Workshop: Mastering Difficult Conversations by Becky Stickly
Breakout session 3 (choose one)
- Panel: Keeping It In The Family with Stephanie Duncan, Jessica Hall, Janine Aquino, and Darryl Matthews
  Workshop: Building Your Network by Joe Sprangle
Fireside Chat with Jay Roderick, founder of BFAM LLC
5:00 pm: Happy hour at Sage Bird Ciderworks (first drink is on SCCF!)
Explore the Harrisonburg restaurant scene for dinner!

Our friends at Hotel Madison are offering Summit attendees a special discounted rate for overnight stays. If you need lodging while you're in town, we encourage you to book your stay here!

Day 2: Tuesday

9:00 am: Breakfast provided by Magpie Diner
Panel: How to Have a Happy Cofounder with Kevin Gibson, Chiedo, Helen Bisset, and Lauren Haskell
Breakout session 4
- Panel: Brick and Mortar Real Talk with Kirsten Moore, Pierce MacGill, and Diana Williams
- Workshop: A Checklist For Financial Thriving from Aram DiGennaro
Lunch provided by Magpie Diner
Marketing Madness
- Creating In Canva 101 with Ashley Wenger
- Your Branding Blueprint with Danielle McEwen
4:15 pm: Wrap up presentation

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?

We suggest bringing the following: notebook, pens, laptop for work (and charger!), business cards for networking, and a reusable cup for ice water.

Where can I park?

There are several parking lots and parking decks in Downtown Harrisonburg that offer free parking.

Check out this list for details on lot locations.

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.