The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center’s second annual Small Business Summit, entitled “Know What’s Vital to Your Business Today,” will be held in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus on Tuesday, October 22 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Business representatives and interested members of the community are invited to this event, which has been organized in partnership with the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County and the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, and presented by sponsor Duke Energy.
The Small Business Summit will feature guest speakers and interactive discussions, as well as an expo at which area businesses and agencies that help sponsor the event will exhibit their products and services. According to VGCC Small Business Center Director Tanya Weary, this year’s event features presentations on health-care, marketing and leadership.
Hilda Pinnix-Ragland (submitted photo)
On the topic of leadership, attendees will hear from Hilda Pinnix-Ragland, who has unique experience as a leader in business and education. Pinnix-Ragland is vice president of corporate public affairs for Duke Energy and served as a vice president at Progress Energy before its merger with Duke Energy. She is also a member of the State Board of Community Colleges, and served as chair of that board from 2005 through 2013.
Amy Wood Pasquini (submitted photo)
Amy Wood Pasquini of Our State magazine will speak on marketing. Pasquini is not only the marketing development director for Our State, but is also executive producer of content for the Emmy Award-winning UNC-TV series based on the magazine. A resident of High Point, she is the author of numerous articles and two books.
Another guest speaker, Harry Ponder of Carolina Business Services in Weaverville, will discuss the federal Affordable Care Act and how it will affect small businesses. Ponder is the former director of the Small Business Center at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and has taught courses for the VGCC Small Business Center.
In addition to presenting sponsor Duke Energy, the summit is supported by “gold sponsors” CenturyLink, The Daily Dispatch and Wake Electric Membership Corporation; “silver sponsors” Express Employment Professionals and The Franklin Times; and contributors Screen Master, Cornerstone Facility Services, Inc., Farm Bureau of Vance County, the Butner-Creedmoor News, the Oxford Public Ledger, Lakes Media/ US 98.3 (WLUS) Radio, WIZS Radio and The Warren Record.
Tickets for the Small Business Summit are $15, which will include a box dinner and the opportunity to win numerous door prizes. For more information and to register in advance, call VGCC Small Business Center Director Tanya Weary at (252) 738-3240 or e-mail her at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.