Events

Learn how to effectively manage your nonprofit board with Karen Casey,

Certified Business Mentor

SCORE SC Lowcountry

Chrystie Turner,

Executive Vice President

United Way of the Lowcountry

Join us for an empowering webinar dedicated to supporting and guiding women entrepreneurs on their journey to securing funding for their businesses.

Whether you're just starting out or scaling your business, this webinar will help you understand the different funding options available to women entrepreneurs, how to pitch your business vision effectively and how to overcome gender biases and create a supportive network.

In this webinar, you'll learn:

• Understanding the different funding pathways
• Building a Compelling Funding Pitch
• Overcoming Gender-Specific Challenges

Live attendees will receive the slide deck and a link to this webinar recording.

Are you a founder? Are you curious about becoming one? Do you work with startups? Or want to work with startups? Are you curious about what makes founders try, and keep trying? Founders Forum is an educational series from NextGEN designed for entrepreneurs, their teams, and their supporters BY entrepreneurs, created to connect, inspire, and educate in core disciplines relevant to all startups and activate the ecosystem at large. Join us to talk through funding challenges and local resources with founders who are in the thick of building a business!

As follow-up to the Upstate Regional Summit on September 11, hear from Clemson Graduate Students in Urban & Regional Planning as they provide a recap of each of the 8 speeches, workshops & panels at the Summit. They will look at the key messages, challenges/barriers and potential local & regional actions for each topic area.

This workshop will help you understand some key things that you need to know and have ready to discuss with a bank loan officer or anyone you approach for funding.

We are excited to invite you to a webinar focused on the thriving Agri-food sector in South Carolina, USA. This event is a unique opportunity to learn about what is grown, raised, and produced in South Carolina; gain an in-depth understanding of current agri-food businesses; and hear about specialty food manufacturers engaging in E-Commerce and exporting.

This insightful session is hosted by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the European American Chamber of Commerce-Carolinas and the Enterprise Europe Network Sector Group AgriFood. We look forward to welcoming you and discovering new ways to grow together.

Buying Commercial Real Estate: From Contract to Closing

In-Person Event

Are you searching for property to purchase for your business? How do you find the right property? Is there funding available? What loan programs are there? What documents do you need for a loan package? Join a panel of financial and real estate experts and learn how to find commercial property and apply for a commercial real estate mortgage at this in-person training event hosted by the SC SBDC and the I-HOPE Women's Business Center.

Topics to be covered:

• Finding a property and working with a commercial real estate broker.
• Making and negotiating an offer.
• Understanding the different loan programs, terms, and rates: SBA 504 and Conventional.
• How to apply for a Commercial Real Estate Mortgage - financial documents necessary for an effective loan package.
• Do you qualify for a commercial real estate loan?

Whether you're considering starting a business or are already a business owner, it's essential to be aware of Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements from the Corporate Transparency Act.

In this webinar, we’ll lead you through the BOI compliance requirements and reporting procedures to help simplify the BOI reporting process.

Here’s our agenda. We’ll be covering:

• BOI reporting requirements
• Why maintaining BOI should be a priority
• What it takes to file a BOI report
• How to manage and simplify the BOI reporting process

Live attendees will receive the slide deck and a link to this webinar recording.

Guest Speaker - Bernie Mazyck, SC Association for Community Economic Development

This event is by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. Lets get in the room together, solve problems, and make a difference!

Do you want to ask questions to startup investors about fundraising in a friendly, judgment-free environment? Are you looking to raise funding in the future, and want to learn what investors look for and how they evaluate potential investments? Then join us for this live, interactive Q&A event featuring VC's and other investors from our FI Venture Network - the Founder Institute's global network of investors actively funding early-stage startups. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your network and ask in-depth questions.

Meet with fellow Chamber Investors and maximize face-to-face connections build your network at the next Coffee & Connections.

Don’t forget to bring your elevator pitch and business cards — we’ll have the coffee!

Our networking events sell out quickly and limited spots are available. Register now!

Laurie Brown, founder of Aunt Laurie's & a SCORE SC Lowcountry Certified Business Mentor, and Altimese Nichole, founder of The Ezer Agency, to learn how to advertise your nonprofit efficiently through social media.

PIQUE - Ten at the Top's signature event for young professionals in Upstate SC

Join us on the second floor of Cartwright Food Hall to network with some of the community's most dynamic entrepreneurs and to share your ideas and feedback with the presenters. Please register for this free event.

Enhance Your Business With Data Protection

When it comes to business, don't skimp on protecting your data, This is more than cybersecurity. As a small business owner, what are you doing to protect yourself? What are the most valuable data categories you will have? What is your biggest weakness? Join our free, one-hour webinar to learn more.

What you will learn:

• Self-Audit
• Updates
• Passphrases
• Malice Protection
• Backups
• Email Protection

Positive Employee Relations Training - Lawful Conversations for Leaders ™

This workshop will kick off with Ogletree Deakins Law Firm delivering a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in labor union activity and updates from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Terry Dunn, President of Positive Management Leadership, will follow with an engaging and interactive skills practice session dealing with likely workplace issues that company leaders have to communicate about today.

You're invited to join Ten at the Top to dive into the world of downtown revitalization with our series that takes you on-site to 10 of the Upstate's downtowns. Prior to each meeting, the participants will receive a short video to highlight the month’s theme. The group will meet in the designated community for a tour of the downtown, which will include local guests. At the end of each evening, the cohort will eat at a local downtown restaurant and discuss how the theme was applied. Participation is limited to 25 attendees. Each participant is responsible for their transportation and dinner.

Join us to celebrate, honor, and dance with the leading LGBTQ+-owned businesses, professionals, and strongest community allies at the 3nd Annual Upstate SC LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala! You'll hear from Chamber President Tyler Prescott about our major successes in 2024 and a look forward in 2025.

IS MBA RIGHT FOR YOU?

Calling all minority business owners interested in the Minority Business Accelerator Program. Come learn how the SC MBA Program can accelerate your business and take it to the next level.

The South Carolina Minority Business Accelerator program is open to ALL minority-owned businesses located in the Upstate of South Carolina.

Employer-sponsored retirement plans are not just for big businesses. Your small business may also be able to offer employees – and company owners – ways to save for their retirement. Learn about the different options available to small businesses, and which type of plan might work best for your particular company. We will explore the differences between defined-contribution plans and defined-benefit plans, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of IRA -based plans. We will discuss the costs, tax benefits, and contribution limits to help you decide which type of plan is best for your small business.

This presentation will cover the most common types of small business retirement plans, including:

· Defined-Contribution Plans

o Simplified Self Pension (SEPs)

o Simple Plans

o 401 (k) Plans

· Defined-Benefits Plans

o Cash Balance Plans

o Pensions

Germany and the Battery Boom in SC: Opportunities and Challenges

This is a prime occasion to:

• Learn about the German battery industry's impact in the Upstate

• Connect with potential future employees

• Network with other participating companies

During this insightful event, you’ll interact with students from four prominent institutions.

Join us for this special event to meet one-on-one with over a dozen SBA lenders. Pitch your request in private in speed dating format. Do you need funding to expand your business, purchase a building, or new equipment? Are you prepared to take the next step to get your startup off the ground? Take advantage of this free opportunity! Business plans with financial projections are highly encouraged.

Need help with your business plan? Find your nearest no-cost consultant:

• SCORE
• Small Business Development Center
• Community Works – Women’s Business Center

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be creative or have a magical 'aha' moment to find a great startup idea. In reality, anyone can come up with innovative business ideas by following a structured process. At this live event, Jonathan Greechan (Co-Founder & CEO of Founder Institute) will share a framework for crafting great startup ideas that he has learned from working with over 10K startups worldwide. Then, attendees will have the opportunity to share their ideas, get feedback from others, and meet aspiring entrepreneurs interested in their space. If you have rough ideas and don't know what to do next, this is the event to attend!

This year’s Diversity and Economic Inclusion Event theme is EVERYONE!

EVERYONE captures the essence of true diversity, equity, and economic inclusion. Diversity is no longer a box to check but a critical driver of growth and sustainability. Creating an environment where everybody truly belongs is everyone's responsibility.

• Whether you are a leader influencing strategy and culture...
• On the front lines, interacting with colleagues, customers, and communities...
• Whether you are a long-time DEI advocate or just started on this journey...
• This event is for EVERYONE who wants to be part of the solution.

We'll showcase real-world examples of organizations where EVERYONE is engaged in the DEI journey - and its influential impacts on innovation, employee engagement, and business success.

This face-to-face event will explore how EVERYONE has a vital role to play in:

• - Building truly inclusive teams and organizations
• - Advocating for equity and amplifying underrepresented voices
• - Calling out bias and being an active ally
• - Embedding DEI into policies, practices and decision-making

Join us for inspiring keynotes, practical workshops, and real-talk panels where we boldly explore how to make DEI EVERYONE's job. Because progress happens

Start your day with a BioBoost on Friday, October 25 at the new Main Street Labs. Drop in from 8-9:30 a.m. to enjoy coffee and pastries, explore SCbio’s new rentable space in downtown Greenville, and connect with fellow members.

This event is free and open to SCbio members only.

This committee is open to all Chamber Investors interested in environmental issues and how such issues can impact your business. The committee often hosts speakers from SCDHEC and other groups to talk about water and air quality, sustainability, energy, and other environmental initiatives in the community.

Great companies start with great people, so the Founder Institute startup accelerator has been collecting social science data since 2009 to identify the personality traits that correlate with building great startups. On this live and interactive online event, Jonathan Greechan (Co-Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute) will share exclusive insights and data collected from over 15 years of research, 175,000 social science assessments, and 7,000 launched companies. If you are interested in learning the components of "Entrepreneur DNA", then don't miss this candid and informative event.

This annual event, now in its 22nd year, provides an opportunity for the community to thank and celebrate our manufacturers who continue to invest and grow their operations in Greenville. You don’t want to miss this evening of fun networking, good food and drinks, and connection building with our manufacturers.

Please note: For manufacturers who host students for MFGDay tours in October, please contact Hank Hyatt at hhyatt@greenvillechamber.org to secure your complimentary tickets.

Join manufacturing professionals from across the Southeast to discuss the latest manufacturing trends and topics, share their vision, become inspired and immerse yourself in manufacturing culture.

Skills-Based Hiring

Unlock the potential of your workforce during this interactive webinar, designed to transform your hiring practices and fuel business success. Learn practical methods for identifying and hiring candidates based on their skills and potential rather than traditional qualifications, ensuring a better fit for your company's needs and fostering long-term employee satisfaction. This dynamic session will delve into the benefits of a skills-based hiring approach, and provide actionable strategies that will not only enhance your hiring practices but also position your business for sustainable growth and success.

What you will learn:

• How skills-based hiring will combat talent turnover and grow your business.
• The return and positive impact skills-based hiring have for small businesses and underserved talent from the military, diverse-ability, and justice-involved communities.
• How skills-based hiring helps win business and government contracts.

SUDsGVL, or StartupDrinks, returns in May! This unstructured networking event is open to entrepreneurs, ecosystem allies, and all community members of the #StartupGVL ecosystem. The first drink is on us!

Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC and Greenville Chamber of Commerce Proudly Present Supplier Diversity Event

Connect with companies interested in partnering with you. Join us for a free procurement event, designed to help minority and small businesses begin or expand with local diverse companies.

Business Financing, Business Plan, International Trade, Marketing/Sales

This SC SBDC-hosted workshop has been prepared for South Carolina's exporters. Speakers for this event include members from the SC SBDC, Regions Bank, US Commercial Service, SC Department of Commerce, SBA International Trade Finance, EXIM Bank, and local business exporter panelists.

Small Business of the Month Award

The Greenville Chamber is dedicated to supporting our small business community. One way we do this is by recognizing an extraordinary small business each month. The Small Business of the Month is chosen by a selection committee who review submissions of the applications submitted by Greenville Chamber investors. If selected as a Small Business of the Month, the business is automatically in consideration for Small Business of the Year.

A virtual lunch and learn session focusing on employee retention through creative compensation offers an opportunity to explore and exchange strategies beyond standard pay structures. The session aims to provide actionable insights on how these creative compensation techniques can significantly increase employee satisfaction and loyalty, thereby reducing turnover rates. Attendees will also have the chance to discuss real-world case studies and gain from experience shares that highlight how implementing these strategies within their own organizations can create a more engaged and motivated workforce. Brought to you by Coastal Strategic Capital.

JDC Program & Requirements Sessions – March 21 or September 19, 2024, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Focus Area: JDC overview, JDC Calculations, Procedures for Claiming Credits, Reporting and Compliance, New Guidelines.

JDC Reporting Requirements Sessions - June 20 or November 21, 2024, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Focus Area: Completing the Revitalization Agreement, submitting certification documents, completing Elections Forms, Quarterly and Annual Reports, as well as, Quarterly Tax Returns and Preparation for Annual Audits.

The Village Launch Market is a market that was create to help our alumni gain market access for their businesses. In addition to vendor spaces for graduates of our program we also feature other minority & women-owned start-ups in the Greenville area.

We have Vendors, PLUS live music, food trucks, brewery and so much more!

Join us every 1st Saturday from May – Dec for am incredible community event!