Documentary screening, training, awards for Small Business Month

Small Business Month in Charlotte is underway, and there are a host of events designed to celebrate and educate local small business owners. 

Over the course of the month, the City and its partners will provide local business owners with networking opportunities, access to forums where they can discuss business strategies, and awards ceremonies to celebrate local small businesses and minority-owned businesses.

Here's a list of Small Business Month happenings around the city. For more details, visit CharlotteBusinessResources.com. 

Monday, May 5

"Startupland" screening (5:30-9 p.m.)

Hosted by CPCC’s Small Business Center at Tate Auditorium, CPCC Central Campus. Exclusive screening of "Startupland," a documentary series that captures the journey of five startups alongside interviews with legends of the technology industry. There will be networking and local food trucks starting at 5:30 p.m. The screening beings at 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday, May 7 

Mayor’s International Community Awards (4-7 p.m.)

Hosted by the City of Charlotte in partnership with the Charlotte International Cabinet at Booth Playhouse. Event honoring foreign-owned firms and three individuals or organizations for their outstanding contributions to the international community. 

Monday, May 12 

City Council Recognitions 

- The Small Business Week proclamation will be read at the Council business meeting, along with 

recognition of the Charlotte Business Resources Consortium. 

Staying in the Game: Unwritten Rules for Small Business Success (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Hosted by Pride Communications at Wake Forest School of Business Charlotte Campus. Event to educate small business owners about best practices, provide helpful resources and allow business owners an opportunity to interact directly with industry experts and other successful small business owners. 

Tuesday, May 13 

Think Global, Act Global 2014 Small Business Conference (7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.) 

Hosted by Central Piedmont Community Colleges Small Business Center at Harris Conference Center. Keynote speaker, James Foley, will share personal experiences, tips and techniques to reduce risks and take advantage of global opportunities. 

Mega Marketing Event for Small Businesses (1-5 p.m.)

Hosted by Charlotte SCORE at the Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel. Small businesses can learn simple strategies for online marketing from Constant Contact. 

Thursday, May 15 

Power Up Challenge – NorthWest Chapter Luncheon (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Hosted by the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. Competing for a cash prize and package of in-kind services, local entrepreneurs and small business owners will present how their businesses can support the growth of Charlotte's economy through innovation and entrepreneurial skills. 

Tuesday, May 20 

Capital Ideas: Entrepreneurs, Expansion and the New Financing Landscape (7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) 

Hosted by the Charlotte Business Resources Consortium at UNCC Center City. Conference to network and learn about small business financing options. 

29th-annual NAWBO Charlotte Awards Gala (6-9 p.m.)

Hosted by National Association Women Business Owners at The Charlotte City Club. This event applauds the success of honorees, provides visibility and recognition of their leadership and innovation, and recognizes best practices in business. 

Wednesday, May 21 

Grow Your Business While Growing Your Staff: On-the Job Training Grants 

Hosted by Charlotte Works at the Charlotte Works Employer Engagement Center. Impact your bottom line while improving the skills of your new hires with a WIA On-the-Job training grant. Awards up to $15,000 per trainee are available to qualifying companies to train their new hires in skilled to professional positions. 

Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte Monthly luncheon (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Hosted by the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte at Johnson C. Smith University. After networking and lunch, keynote speaker Mayor Dan Clodfelter will speak on current issues that affect Charlotte. 

Starting and Growing Your Small Business (5:30-6:30 p.m.) 

Hosted by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Check the online calendar for locations and other dates. Get good, solid advice about business plans, lessons learned about developing your business, and free SCORE support services. Free library research services can help small business owners collect reliable information on competitors, prospects and suppliers, get market area data, and more. 

ReferenceUSA: A Powerful Tool for Your Business (5:30-7:30 p.m.)

Hosted by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Check the online calendar for locations and other dates. Find new business leads, company info, news articles, addresses, phone numbers, and conduct job searches and market research. Presenter: David Turner from ReferenceUSA. 

Thursday, May 22 

Think “BIG” – Business in Government (1-7 p.m.)

Hosted by the City of Charlotte’s Business INClusion Program and Mecklenburg County at the Charlotte. Mecklenburg Government Center, Room 267. 

Procurement representatives from a variety of entities will be on-hand to talk with business owners and provide guidance and best practices on how to do business.