Here’s our exclusive wrapup of upcoming conferences, contests, workshops, application deadlines and socials happening across North Carolina in April.
Included are upcoming meetups, conferences, workshops, socials and networking events happening in Asheville, Charlotte, the Triad, Wilmington and other areas across North Carolina.
This post is part of our weekly column of upcoming events. To find out what’s happening this month in the Triangle specifically, check out part one of this week’s column.
Another post previews events coming in May. Recurring monthly meetups in the Triangle are listed here.
These columns are an extension of our interactive calendar of tech and startup events. If you’d like to suggest an event to be added to the calendar, feel free to send me an email.
Wilmington Information Technology eXchange
April 9 @UNCW
Now in its 16th year, the Wilmington Information Technology eXchange conference is a space for UNCW students, faculty staff and local professionals to join and discuss the latest trends in IT. The event features keynotes, educational sessions and short presentations.
10th Annual Energy Day
April 9, 8 a.m. – April 10, 5:30 p.m. @BB&T Stadium, Greensboro
NC A&T State University’s Center for Energy Research and Technology presents its tenth annual Energy Day, featuring Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Traveling Science Fair and discussions covering renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainability, transportation and more.
Women in Confidence w/ the Eliassen Group
April 9, 8-10 a.m. @Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
Charlotte Women in Tech is partnering with IT staffing and consulting agency Eliassen Group for this month’s meetup. A group of women leaders will discuss strategies for developing a leadership mindset.
How Google Can Drive Customer Acquisition & Growth
April 9, 8:15-11:45 a.m. @TechWorks
This free training event will cover the latest free tools offered by Google for marketing and branding, revenue growth and boosting customer engagement. Sessions will be presented by Demming Bass of Grow with Google and Zach Cardais of Zeffective.
Manufacturing Summit
April 10, 7:30-11:30 a.m. @Harris Convention Center
NC Chamber’s annual Manufacturing Summit focuses on solving the needs and challenges of the state’s manufacturing community. Topics address regulatory issues, workforce solutions and other challenges impacting the industry. Breakfast is provided.
Charlotte PitchBreakfast
April 10, 8-10 a.m. @The Garage at Packard Place
Every month, a handful of Queen City-based companies headline Charlotte PitchBreakfast, pitching their products and services for a total of five minutes, after which they will answer questions from the audience and a panel of entrepreneurs and experts.
19th Annual Business Showcase
April 10, 3-7 p.m. @The Park Expo & Conference Center, Charlotte
Hosted by the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s Central Chapter, Greater Hospitality and Tourism Alliance and CRVA Partners in Tourism, this event is one of the Queen City’s largest B2B trade shows, with more than 150 exhibitors.
WNC Career Expo
April 11, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. @WNC Ag Center
Jobseekers and employers in the Western North Carolina region are invited to join this recruiting event hosted by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
April 11, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
UNCW AI Meetup
April 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @UNCW Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Every month this meetup group joins to discuss a hot topic in the artificial intelligence space. Join to hear insights and meet others in the Wilmington AI community.
Flywheel Idea Tap @Venture Cafe
April 11, 6-7 p.m. @Venture Cafe
Flywheel is partnering with Venture Cafe this year to expand its monthly pitch event to Winston-Salem. Participating founders have seven minutes to pitch a panel of investors and get constructive feedback on their presentation.
Idea Tap Davidson
April 11, 5:30-8 p.m. @Flywheel Coworking – Davidson
Held by Flywheel at the HurtHub@Davidson once a month, the Idea Tap Davidson event series offers local entrepreneurs the opportunity to share their ideas through short pitch sessions and network with like-minded innovators in the community.
NC BREATHE Conference
April 11 @Cape Fear Community College Union Station
Clean Air Carolina’s annual NC BREATHE Conference includes the latest research addressing the challenges related to air pollution and its impacts on human health, the environment and the economy.
Monthly BIG Ideas Exchange: High Performance Habits
April 12, 8:30-11 a.m. @Alfred Williams
Join BIG Council for a discussion on the book “High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way” by Brendan Burchard. This event is free for BIG members and guests.
PercCollider Climate Coffee Hour
April 12, 4-5 p.m. @The Collider
The weekly PercCollider event convenes Collider members for networking and collaboration over drinks.
CONNEXXPO: Summer Jam
April 12, 6:30-9 p.m. @MIXXER
This month’s CONNEXXPO features upcoming summer programs for kids and adults, including STEM camps, Summit School, WFDD Radio Camp and more.
Piedmont Triad Startup Weekend
April 12-14 @NC A&T State University
At this 54-hour immersive Startup Weekend presented by Techstars, Triad-area developers, designers, marketers, students and innovators can collaborate together in teams at NC A&T to start their own projects and pitch their products/services to the audience for feedback. More here.
Break Into Tech: Charlotte
April 13, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. @Northeastern University – Charlotte
Northeastern University-Charlotte is hosting a workshop exploring the process behind CTRL + F and how it works. Registration is free.
CODEHQ: Tableau
April 13 @HQ Greensboro
During this two-hour course, participants will learn how to use Tableau’s visual analytics software platform.
Asheville Chamber Business Before Hours
April 16, 8-9 a.m. @Green Opportunities
This month’s Asheville Chamber Business Before Hours will be hosted by Green Opportunities, a local organization that trains, supports and connects people from marginalized communities to sustainable employment opportunities.
Lean Startup Circle LKN: Cultivating Ideas for Startups
April 16, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. @Hurt Hub@Davidson
The next Lean Startup Circle LKN session will be led by Chelsea and Connrye Corbett, the founders of Corvos Labs and Venture Studios.
Lunch & Learn: Industry 4.0 Readiness Assessment
April 16, 12-1 p.m. @Launch Factory
Join this lunch and learn to hear from Craig Casillas about Industry 4.0, its global scale, how companies can translate Industry 4.0 concepts to actionable projects and practical use cases.
Lunch & Learn: Neurohacking & the Pattern of Success
April 16, 12-1 p.m. @The Collider
The Collider’s next lunch and learn will be led by Melody Isis Herman, founder of Pop Benefits, who will discuss ways to manage stress and face challenges positively.
Matching First Time Entrepreneurs w/ Experienced Business Leaders & Mentors in Wilmington
April 16, 4-6:30 p.m. @Ironclad Brewery
The next Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW) event will feature a panel with CharGrow Co-Founder Dominic Taverniti, UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Executive Director Diane Durance and AI Bridge President Kevin Carlson.
What Do You Meme? The Power of Marketing Through Memes
April 16, 6-8 p.m. @525@Vine – Innovation Quarter
Join this Forsyth Tech Community College workshop to learn about the science and strategy of meme content, and its power as a marketing tool for your business.
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Young Professionals Luncheon
April 17, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. @Sheraton Charlotte Uptown
Join the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance for a conversation on Charlotte’s food and beverage scene, and how the hospitality industry is impacting the advancement of the community.
Lunch & Learn: Creating a Flexible City for Young Workers Beyond 2040
April 17, 12-1:30 p.m. @Hyatt Place Greensboro/Downtown
Kristen Jeffers, founder of Kristen Jeffers Media, will lead a discussion on workplace development for young professionals of the future.
Packard Place Public House
April 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m. @Packard Place
On the third Wednesday of every month, the Queen City’s entrepreneurial community joins together for an evening of networking and connections over drinks.
Cape Fear Women In Tech Meetup
April 17, 5:15-7 p.m. @Flying Machine Brewing Company
This networking event is for locals in Wilmington who want to meet like-minded people in the city and discuss all things tech.
Local Leaders. Global Impact: Innovation & Business Transformation
April 18, 8-9:30 a.m. @Northeastern University-Charlotte
This event features an in-depth discussion with leaders in entrepreneurship and strategic innovation. Speakers include Northeastern University School of Business Dunton Family Dean Dr. Raj Echambadi and Duke Energy Senior VP of Business Transformation Brian Savoy.
Center for Creative Economy ‘Swerve’
April 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. @Center for Design Innovation
This monthly lunch and learn event is an opportunity for Winston-Salem’s creative community to hear insights from guest speakers, enjoy catered lunch and network with peers.
INVESTinNC: Crowdfunding for Small Business Capital
April 18, 4-6 p.m. @Ironclad Brewery
Join INVESTinNC in Wilmington for an interactive and informative session to learn more about North Carolina’s equity crowdfunding options and how your business can benefit from them. This event features networking, a presentation and discussion, and a Q&A.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
April 18, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
PercCollider Climate Coffee Hour
April 19, 4-5 p.m. @The Collider
The weekly PercCollider event convenes Collider members for networking and collaboration over drinks.
Fish 2.0 South Atlantic Fisheries & Aquaculture Innovation Workshop & Pitch Session
April 23-24 @Wilmington, NC
Businesses in the fishery and aquaculture industries are invited to attend this free and informative event, in which they can participate in community-building sessions with both peers and experts.
Asheville Chamber Sky High Growth Awards
April 24
In this annual program, the Asheville Chamber of Commerce honors the accomplishments of Chamber members who are leading growth in the local business community.
DIG SOUTH Tech Summit
April 24-26 @Charleston Gaillard Center
A must-attend for entrepreneurs and technology industry representatives in the South, the DIG SOUTH Tech Summit in Charleston connects leading global brands like Oracle, IBM and Salesforce to the top scalable startups in the region. (More coverage here.)
Digital Health Happy Hour: Charlotte
April 24, 5-7 p.m. @Packard Place
DHIT’s free Digital Health Happy Hour series is expanding to Charlotte starting this month. The featured popup speaker is Michael Levy, president of DHIT, who will share more about how to get involved with the digital health community. Join to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders over craft beers.
Davidson Venture Fund Pitch Competition
April 24, 5:30-8 p.m. @Davidson College, E. Craig Wall Jr. Academic Center
At this pitch event, six teams of Davidson students or recent alumni will compete for a $25,000 investment in their ventures.
15th Annual IT Hot Topics Conference
April 24-26 @Grandover Resort, Greensboro
This two-day program features several keynotes, more than 20 breakout sessions, trainings and networking sessions for members of the IT sector.
Health Care Summit
April 25, 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. @Sheraton Charlotte Hotel
The 8th annual Health Care Summit convenes hundreds of top executives, policymakers, consumers and business leaders from around the state and nation for an in-depth review into the current and future state of healthcare challenges and opportunities.
Webinar: Raising the Awareness of Career Pathways
April 25, 9-10 a.m.
This monthly webinar covers career pathways and resources for employers, jobseekers or anyone interested in the process.
Winning SBIR/STTR Grants for Science & Technology Startups
April 25, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. @The Collider
Hosted by First Flight Venture Center, this half-day seminar will explain the basics of SBIR/STTR grant programs for entrepreneurs, covering the participating agencies involved, what goes into developing a proposal and how the award process works.
Skookum Volcano Tour
April 25, 12-1 p.m. @Skookum Charlotte
Join an open tour of the Skookum office to get an introduction to the tech and ideas powering the community. The Skookum team will be available for any questions or comments participants may have. Lunch will be provided.
8th Annual Gate City Minority Business Opportunity Fair
April 25, 4-7 p.m. @Khalif Event Center
This networking event is free and open to minority and women-owned businesses interested in pursuing contracting opportunities with local public institutions, government agencies and major private companies.
Venture Café Thursday Gathering
April 25, 5-8 p.m. @Bailey Power Plant
Held on a weekly basis, this Venture Café event series provides all sorts of programming for Piedmont Triad entrepreneurs and innovators. Every Thursday evening, the community gathers for networking, panel talks, workshops, presentations, product demos, interviews, and more.
Tech Talent South + Advocations Java Workshop
April 25, 5:30-7 p.m. @Packard Place
Tech Talent South Charlotte is hosting a Java workshop to share more about its partnership with Advocations and Autism Speaks.
SwitchPoint 2019
April 25-26 @Haw River Ballroom, Saxapahaw, NC
The annual SwitchPoint conference brings together hundreds of nonprofit and development professionals, corporate execs, educators, policy-makers and entrepreneurs for a two-day program at Haw River Ballroom. Agenda here.
Leadership Greensboro 2020 Info Session
April 26, 8:30-9:30 a.m. @Greensboro Chamber of Commerce
Join this info session to learn about the details and components involved with the Leadership Greensboro program, as well as requirements the application process.
Energy ‘Double Header’: Next Gen Nuclear + Managing Crisis Communication
April 26, 12-4:30 p.m. @Foundation for the Carolinas
At this educational event, energy professionals will be briefed on advanced next generation nuclear design and managing crisis communication,
PercCollider Climate Coffee Hour
April 26, 4-5 p.m. @The Collider
The weekly PercCollider event convenes Collider members for networking and collaboration over drinks.
Hatch Demo Day
April 27 @Hatch AVL
This event features pitches from emerging early-stage companies in the Asheville startup community. Three finalists will come away with seed capital, mentorship and other prizes. Hatch is currently taking applications from 10 startups.
2019 UNC Charlotte Science & Technology Expo
April 28, 12-4 p.m. @UNC Charlotte Student Union
UNC Charlotte’s North Carolina Science Festival is a half-day event featuring over 100 activities for people of all ages, including hands-on displays and educational presentations, engineering demos, lab tours and more.
Cybersecurity in the Age of Digital Transformation
April 29, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. @Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte Waverly
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s Ballantyne Chapter is hosting an in-depth conversation with industry leaders on cybersecurity and virtual reality.
Business & The Mompreneur Dollar
April 29, 6-8 p.m. @HQ Greensboro
This event, hosted by Piedmont Business Capital, features panelists speaking about their experiences in starting and growing their mompreneur business, and how other Triad innovators can do so as well.
Tech Talent South Wilmington: Web Development Essentials
April 29, 6-9 p.m.
Tech Talent South Wilmington is hosting a workshop on the basics of web development, covering HTML, CSS and Bootstrap.
Women > A Force in Business
April 30, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. @Charlotte Convention Center
This annual event, one of NC Chamber’s largest programs, addresses the different ways to create and harness opportunities for women in North Carolina’s workforce and business community.
