When Hurricane Helene struck, it did more than damage buildings. It shook local business owners’ confidence too. Now, a year later, the focus is shifting from recovery to rebuilding smarter and stronger.

That is exactly what the Asheville Business Summit is about. It begins with a kickoff networking party on September 21, brings leaders together at a VIP dinner with Highland Brewing’s CEO Leah Wong Ashburn on the evening of September 22, and culminates in a full day of high-impact workshops, panels, and interactive learning at Diana Wortham Theatre on September 23.

The keynote, From Chaos to Catalyst, features Gillian Bellinger and Angie Flynn-McIver showing how to turn uncertainty into strategic opportunity. They include improv activities that help business people see disruption as fuel for innovation instead of something to avoid.

What Attendees Will Take Away

• A mindset reset to spot opportunity from disruption

• Improv-based tools to iterate quickly and lead teams through change

• Breakout sessions that walk through leadership and innovation in ways that apply to real week one actions

This is not just another event. It is the moment for WNC businesses to shift from patching progress to crafting real momentum.

The Asheville Business Summit Agenda

• Kickoff: Sunday, September 21 at Capella on 9

• VIP Dinner with Leah Wong Ashburn: Monday, September 22 at Highland Brewing

• Main Event: Tuesday, September 23 at Diana Wortham Theatre

Learn more and secure your ticket at wncsummit.com 

Seats are limited, so if you are serious about rebuilding stronger, this is the place to be.