A great business pitch is among the first of many hurdles an entrepreneur must jump to get their company off the ground. A great pitch can bring valuable partnerships to the table; partnerships that come with valuable financial incentives.

Empower Pitch is a one day workshop created through a partnership of the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Spartanburg, Northside Development Group, and Denny's to assist small business owners in developing a dynamic pitch that will capture their audience in 1 to 15 minutes.

**Contact Terrance Hawes at thawes@spartanburgchamber.com to register for the event.

Take advantage of free document shredding at three locations in the Upstate.
Better Business Bureau® of the Upstate & AARP® South Carolina are partnering together to host Secure Your ID "Shred Day," a national, semi-annual identity theft document shredding event designed to educate and deter consumers and small businesses from becoming victims of identity theft. The event features on-site shredding, electronic recycling, plus tips to protect identity. All proceeds from the event benefit Better Business Bureau Education Foundation.

AARP® and Better Business Bureau® Education Foundation (BBBEF) will be providing educational handouts to prevent consumers and businesses from becoming victims of identity theft.

Individuals and businesses can take advantage of FREE on-site document shredding, electronic recycling, and take home practical tips to prevent identity theft online and off.

Goodwill on-site accepting old desktop computers, laptops, monitors and printers. Before reselling, hard drives are wiped clean to the standards of the US Department of Defense.

Maximum number of boxes and plastic bags per consumer, business and vehicle is 3. Cardboard boxes will be emptied and returned to consumers. Due to safety concerns and to ensure that we are able to serve as many vehicles as possible, we are unable to accept people on foot this year or allow people to get out of their vehicle to watch their paper shredded. The complimentary shred event is first come, first serve or until the shred trucks fill up, so coming early is advised.

For more information about Shred Day, contact the Better Business Bureau of the Upstate at (864) 242-5052.

The Greenville Chamber’s Leadership Summit can help you develop valuable new relationships, build your leadership capacity through insightful speakers, and even challenge you to think differently and push yourself to grow as a leader. 
Set aside March 15 to learn from some of the most influential leaders in our community and beyond! Invest in yourself, your team, your network and your ability to lead others.  Whether attending as an individual or as a group of employees, you will leave encouraged, enlightened, and empowered!

Since 2013, over 6,500 individuals have experienced Netnight. Netnight provides the opportunity for diverse business professionals to connect. Attendees enjoy the intentionality in helping guests ensure an effective networking experience. This event consistently sells out. For 2019, Netnight will remain open to all with the added element of each event being themed and/or designed to engage specific groups. To receive optimal benefits, sponsorships should be secured by January 31, 2019.

Start Upstate International Month with a fun Global Trivia Extravaganza.

Come enjoy a fun filled family event! There will be music, cold beverages, food, bounce house and cornhole going on from 1pm-4pm.

Spa for SpaysPresented by Speak for Animals
Thursday, March 14, 2019
5:30pm – 8:30pm
Zen - 924 S. Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601

Enjoy an evening of pampering for people, while raising funds and awareness to help Upstate SC pets.

Ticket includes:

(1) 20 minute massage/relaxation service
1 drink ticket
Delicious food by local chef David Alonso
Live music by Darby Wilcox
Fun, interactive group classes (BellyBollyBallet, Meditation, Yoga)
Silent auction
Our very own Unique Boutique
PLUS one-of-a-kind artwork and merchandise from local artists will be available for purchase - 100% of proceeds benefiting SFA!

The women of the Southeastern Conference battle on the court for the 2019 championship title at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena! Plan your March Madness early and purchase a tournament book or single session tickets HERE! *Books include one (1) ticket to each session of the 2019 SEC Women's Tournament.

Make your game plan for the SEC Women's Tournament by checking out everything happening during the tournament here! 

Trevor Noah is crossing North America on his first ever arena outing with the Loud & Clear Tour coming to The Well on March 22, 2019! The Daily Show host and celebrated comedian is known around the world for his insightful and authentic take on politics and current events. Born in South Africa during the end of apartheid, he often shares incisive social and political commentary on his Comedy Central The Daily Show platform and through his various stand-up specials and writing. In 2016, Trevor released his first book Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, which became an instant New York Times bestseller.

Alabama will celebrate their 50th Anniversary Tour at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on May 10 with special guests The Charlie Daniels Band! Alabama members Randy, Jeff and Teddy left Fort Payne, Alabama 50 years ago and spent the summer playing music in Myrtle Beach at The Bowery. From humble beginnings picking cotton in the fields, the band has become international stars that have sold 80 million albums and have changed the face and sound of country music. Since Alabama’s start 50 years ago, the band has charted 43 #1 singles, including 21 #1 singles in a row, and have won over 179 CMA Awards, Grammy Awards, and ACM Awards. They are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, have their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and are celebrating with their 50^th Anniversary Tour!

Paul McCartney has confirmed his eagerly anticipated return to the U.S. with his new Freshen Up tour, including his debut appearance at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
The Freshen Up Tour is Paul McCartney’s first outing following the release of his brand new studio album, “Egypt Station,” out September 7 on Capitol Records. Featuring the AAA Top 10 single “Come On To Me,” “Egypt Station” is already generating rave reviews, with Q magazine writing in a 4-star review that Paul is “enjoying his music too much to stop now. And so, for that matter, are we,” and Rolling Stone raving "Macca keeps adding new gems to his songbook, with nothing to prove except he’s the only genius who can do this… And, oh yeah — in his spare time, he happens to still be the greatest live performer on Earth.”

The Paul McCartney live experience is everything any music lover could ever want from a rock show: Nearly three hours nightly of the greatest moments from the last 50 years of music, dozens of songs from Paul’s solo, Wings and of course Beatles catalogues that have formed the soundtracks of our lives. Featuring Paul’s band of the last 15+ years – Paul “Wix” Wickens (keyboards), Brian Ray (bass/guitar), Rusty Anderson (guitar) and Abe Laboriel Jr (drums) –and constantly upgraded state of the art audio and video technology that ensures an unforgettable experience from every seat in the house, a Paul McCartney concert is never anything short of life-changing.

he Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce co-hosts Business After Hours events like this one with a different Chamber member each month. Events typically fall on the fourth Thursday, unless otherwise noted in the event information. BAH events provide a valuable opportunity for our members to highlight their offices, shops, and products through facility tours and peer engagement. Guests enjoy the opportunity to learn about new businesses, expand their network, and discover potential partnerships with others throughout the community. Contact Chamber staff if you would like information on hosting a Business After Hours at your business!

Fabio Parrini, Chair of the Piano Department at North Greenville University, will be performing a program of Frederic Chopin & Franz Schubert at the Carolina Music Museum. Parrini, a Steinway artist, has a rich array of recordings, live broadcasts, concertos, solo recitals, chamber music & collaborations with orchestras, choirs, opera productions & performances at summer festivals on his resume. A Fulbright Scholar, a Kahn Award winner from Boston University, he has coached for the Philadelphia International Music Festival, given master classes at Clemson University, the Longy School of Music at Bard College, Emporia State University, & the University of Southern Mississippi, to list only few. He holds degrees from the Conservatory of Padua in Italy, & Boston University. Call 864-520-8807 to purchase your tickets. $15 Adults & $5 students.

Pickens County Meals on Wheels will be hosting our 2^nd Annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 18^th from 8 – 11am at the McKissick Center dining room. Tickets are $5 each and all proceeds will benefit PCMOW.

City of Easley invites you to join them for their 2019 Farmer's Market's Spring Fling and Jazz Festival on Saturday, April 6 from 9 AM until 3 PM. The Spring Fling will showcase local artists, craftsmen, farmer's market vendors, local live music and much more. For more information or how to become a vendor, click here.

Welcome to the Uptown Market- where shopping fresh and local promotes a healthier community and a healthier you! Come and meet your farmers and experience the difference in flavors and variety that can be found here.  Depending on the time of year, you can find produce such as kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, potatoes, beets, tomatoes, cauliflower and MUCH more!! Plus, on Wednesdays, shop for locally raised meats, farm fresh cheese, baked goods, soaps and gourmet cuisine prepared with local ingredients. Click here for Vendor Application and Information
For a list of typical produce availability by season, click HERE. The Uptown Market Code of Conduct applies to all of our visitors and helps us maintain a safe and inviting space for all to enjoy!

Please check our Facebook page for notice of cancellations and current vendor list.

CURRENT HOURS: 10am - 2pm WED & SAT

Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive, presented by Clemson MBA, kicks off the weekend every Thursday night with music at NOMA Square on Main Street.
More than 45,000 people attend this event annually. The event serves as the single largest fundraiser for the Metropolitan Arts Council.

Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive opens at 5:30 p.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m. Bands play two sets at 5:50 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. on the Harley-Davidson of Greenville Stage.

Free Admission

NOMA Square
220 North Main Street
Greenville, SC

DOWNLOAD THE 2019 SCHEDULE

Whether you’re a Greenville native or looking to visit for the first time, Artisphere offers a one-of-a-kind experience. From award-winning restaurants to some of the most talented artists gathered on one of the quaintest main streets in the south, Artisphere won’t disappoint.

With a rich history of providing family fun for all ages, the annual Pelham Medical Center Greer Family Fest promises to be better than ever this year, the 35th anniversary of the event. Greer is growing, and festival planners have an expanded vision for a spectacular event that reflects the growth Greer is achieving. This year's event will feature the best of the old and add exciting new activities with the goal of being the Upstate's favorite family festival. This two-day event features live music on the Main Stage and the Community Stage, Mitsubishi Anne Helton Creation Station, Apple Seeds Pediatric Dentistry/ Carolina Family Orthodontics KidsZone, Greer CPW Restaurant Row, and over 150 vendors throughout the festival!

Dr. Temple Grandin, a world-renowned autism spokesperson, scientist, and inventor, has served as an inspiration and role model to hundreds of thousands of families and persons with autism. In this unique presentation, Temple eloquently and candidly describes the challenges she has faced and offers glimpses into her own childhood, with ideas on how others dealing with autism can meet these obstacles and improve the quality of their lives. Backed by her personal experience and evidence-based research, Temple shares her valuable insights on all types of thinkers, why they are important, and ways in which young people can continue to think about and understand what it means to be innovative.

Join the Converse community and women from across the Upstate for professional development and networking at Converse College’s annual President’s Leadership Forum, which welcomes Bank of America’s chief operations and technology officer, Cathy Bessant, on International Women’s Day. Named the “Most Powerful Woman in Banking” by American Banker magazine, Bessant has led Global Technology and Operations since 2010, delivering end-to-end technology and operating services across the company through nearly 95,000 employees and contractors in 35 countries.

Bessant will participate in a fireside chat moderated by President Krista Newkirk.

After closing out 2018 with Global Entrepreneurship Week and Andy Stoll's visit, we are prepared to capitalize on our learning and move forward creating community and regional awareness in 2019.
March 20th Agenda:

• Review 2018: What did we learn?
• Analyze the Ecosystem Scorecard
• Define priorities for creating local & regional awareness of the ecosystem
• Create 2019 editorial calendar for Upstate Business Journal*

As always, we will break into small groups to work on different topics and develop plans that will be presented to the ecosystem partners.  With so many new individuals and organizations joining the ecosystem, it will be an excellent chance to increase our network's capacity and share resources. 

Benefiting the Parks & Trails Foundation, The Greenwood Building presents a unique 5K Run/Walk with participants stopping along the Heritage Trail to savor select beers & ales provided by Good Times Brewing Co. Beginning and ending at the Greenwood Railroad Historical Center at 908 Main Street in Greenwood, this unique race features "Trail Ale" along the route with two other “Rail Ales” for tasting upon completion. Live music, light snacks and tasty brews await you at the finish line!

The Connect Young Professionals invites its members and prospective young professionals to gather for a Monthly Mingle, from 12:00 noon - 1:15 p.m..  This is CYP's official member gathering each month.  Join CYP to enjoy fellowship, meet new friends, and learn about upcoming programs and events, as well as hear from an informative speaker.  Lunch will be provided and there is a nominal fee of $10 to cover lunch expenses, payable to the Greenwood SC Chamber.
Everyone is welcome - members and prospective young professionals alike.  Invite a friend!  Advance registration requested to ensure accurate head count for lunch.  RSVP today as seating is limited.

The CYP officers and committee chairs will meet at 11:30 a.m.   Luncheon meeting set for third Monday of each month at the Chamber.

Guest Speaker:  The guest speaker will be Ann Butler, a 6-year board member of the Greater Greenwood Parks & Trails Foundation.  Ms. Butler is a professor in the biology department at Lander University and has mentored and engaged Lander students, faculty, and staff in projects at Grace Street Park.  She wrote and was awarded a Duke Energy grant to design and create a Sensory Garden at Grace Street Park.  She will share her expertise as a parks supporter with CYP.

RSVP:  Please RSVP to let us know if you can attend this meeting.

CYP Annual Dues:

As a reminder, annual dues of $40 are now due.  CYP's annual membership fee is $40 / person and membership is from January to December.  You may remit dues, payable to the Greenwood SC Chamber.  For membership information, call (864) 889-9312.