THE COLLABORATIVE EVENT CELEBRATES ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE AREA
FLORENCE – Shoals Innovation Week is scheduled for February 21 – 26, 2017 at various locations throughout the metro-Shoals area. The week of events is sponsored by Shoals Shift under the auspices of the University of North Alabama College of Business, The Shoals Entrepreneurial Center, and the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. The week-long conference is partially funded by a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
“The Shoals Entrepreneurial Center is pleased to be one of the hosts for this series of events
Giles McDaniel
that helps to identify and assist future business leaders,” said Giles McDaniel, Executive Director of the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center. “But identifying these leaders is only part of it, we want to keep a focus on developing a business acumen that keeps these leaders in our area.”
Shoals Innovation Week was created to highlight some of the innovative practices that are going on with a growing number of entrepreneurs based in the local area. It also allows start-up businesses the chance to network and ask questions of successful leaders in their fields.
“This is a very well-thought-out collaboration that brings together some of the great players in the Shoals’ business world,” states Kristen Anderson, UNA student who has worked to develop Innovation Week. “The networking opportunities and the introduction of new business practices and models make Innovation Week a huge benefit to area businesses, those who are intending to start a business, or students studying in the field.”
The week of events are detailed below:
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21
7:00—8:30 AM
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BREAKFAST
SHOALS ENTREPRENEURIAL CENTER
See what is new at the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center and how you might use their resources to better your company and learn to assist your clients. The free event is open to all business principals, chamber members, and interested community members.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21
4:00—7:30 PM SHOALS ALABAMA LAUNCHPAD FINALE ROUNDS GAS STUDIOS | 109 W. 6th ST. | TUSCUMBIA
Watch as Shoals Alabama Launchpad participants pitch in front of judges and an audience for a share of $100,000.00. Anyone interested in being a part of the entrepreneurship community is invited to this free event.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 11:30—1:30 PM INNOVATION PANEL DISCUSSION UNA COMMUNITY EDUCATION | EAST CAMPUS Join a panel discussion with panelists- Giles McDaniel of the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center, Carolyn Long of the Small Business Development Center, Caitlin Holland of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, and Doug Barrett of UNA’s Institute for Innovation and Community Development. Moderated by Mary Marshall VanSant of UNA’s Community Education Department. Each panelist has up to 7 minutes to introduce themselves, then a moderated discussion as the attendees dig deeper into how to work together to accelerate success for their clients and the entrepreneurs. Lunch is available, $15 per person.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
6:00 PM SHOALS SHIFT FUTURE AWARDS FLOBAMA | 311 N. COURT STREET | FLORENCE
Be a part of a fast-paced fun evening that recognizes and rewards startups that inspire us to be at the leading edge of tech communities. Led by the Chamber’s Next Gen group, this premier event is certain to be an annual must go. The tech community, Chamber members, and interested community members are invited to attend.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 
23 4:00—5:30 PM VIDEO GAMING FOR LEOCON FLORENCE LAUDERDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY Attend a free gaming demo at a Business Afterhours precursor that includes UNA and Teen Club members competing in selected video games promoting the upcoming May LeoCon. This event is open to students, parents, players and the public.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 5:30—7:00 PM CHAMBER BUSINESS AFTERHOURS FLORENCE LAUDERDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY This Chamber Afterhours highlights the ways the community is able to use the Collaboratory and get acquainted with the staff who are there to assist. Chamber members are encouraged to attend this free event.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 11:30—1:00 BIZ BUZZ: SINGLE LOCK RECORDS FLORENCE LAUDERDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY Hear the story of Single Lock records at Biz Buzz sponsored by the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, UNA College of Business, and the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center. Biz Buzz is free & open to the public.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 SMART START WEEKEND THE UNA COMMONS BUILDING
Friday night kicks off Smart Start Weekend, a three-day event for students to exchange business startup ideas, focusing on 6-8 ideas that cover the course of the weekend to develop a company. This year’s program uses a new format based on the very successful Innovation Engineering tool set. Students will come away with a clear path towards building a company and then present their ideas to a panel of local investors. The public is invited to be part of the finale starting at 5:00 pm on Sunday, January 26.
For more information about Innovation Week call 256-765-4107 or email innovation@una.edu.
Media Release/UNA/Bryan Rachal, APR
Director, University Communications
