WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA - WeSpeakWNC will launch the WeThankYou Extravaganza for Western NC businesses in the hospitality, retail, and tourism sectors in September 2023.

In February 2023, NC State Extension, together with the Southwestern Commission, Western Carolina University, the Mountain West Partnership, and Harrah’s Casino, sponsored the WeSpeakWNC Workforce Conference. This conference provided unique networking and learning opportunities to over 100 retail and hospitality businesses and over 150 students from North Carolina’s mountain west region.

A primary purpose of the conference was to expose employees and business owners alike to the extensive offerings of fun experiences throughout the region. The end result was the formation of new relationships and creation of frontline ambassadors to promote and cross-market everything the region has to offer, from restaurants to rafting to glamping.

During September 2023, the WeSpeakWNC project will launch a series of business team-building events designed to provide businesses and their employees a one-of-a-kind learning adventure. Retail, hospitality, and tourism business owners throughout the region and their employees can bond while also being challenged to navigate some of the region’s most exciting activities. WeSpeakWNC calls this free team-building opportunity the “WeThankYou” event to celebrate the region's workforce in these sectors at the end of a busy summer season and to recharge before the upcoming leaf season in the mountains.

WeSpeakWNC is recruiting businesses to either be a host site for the WeThankYou event or participate in the team-building activities at another site or both. All host sites will be compensated for their participation. Register your business to participate or request more information by filling out this quick form. Spots are limited.