Big AdvantageWest economic summit meeting Monday at Diana Wortham Theatre; get your tickets now

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Should be some good information out of this meeting. Put it on your schedule:

The AdvantageWest Economic Summit
Pathways to a New Economy
Monday, March 29 
Networking Reception: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Program: 7:15 – 8:45 p.m.
Diana Wortham Theatre inside Pack Place
2 S. Pack Square, Downtown Asheville

This special evening starts at 5:30 with a networking reception, which provides an opportunity to meet and interact with regional, state and federal business leaders, entrepreneurs, economic development professionals and others with a vested interest in business and economic conditions in Western North Carolina.

The panel discussion begins at 7:15, with retired lawyer and university administrator D. G. Martin, now a newspaper columnist and UNC-TV host, serving as moderator. Confirmed panelists include:

• NC Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco, who in addition to the perspective of his current role will also address questions regarding the NC STEM Community Collaborative, exploring-near term business issues and longer-term education and curricular issues with regard to science, technology, engineering and math education.
• Mike Fulenwider, president and CEO of Fulenwider Enterprises Inc., in Morganton, who will speak about business issues specifically relating to small businesses and start-ups.  
• Martin Lancaster, former president of the North Carolina Community College System, who also served as a US Representative from North Carolina from 1987 to 1995. He will address the relationship between education and economic development.
• Senator Martin Nesbitt of the NC General Assembly, who will speak about business issues as they relate to political challenges in the state.
• Nelson Schwab III, managing partner at Carousel Capital, a private equity firm in Charlotte specializing in small leveraged buyouts and recapitalization transactions, will address finance/capital, entrepreneurialism, and broad business issues that are critical in North Carolina. 

Attendees can join in the interactive discussion with panelists by emailing questions to [email protected]. 

Tickets for the AdvantageWest Economic Summit are $50. Registration is available at the AdvantageWest website, www.advantagewest.com, or call Amanda Baranski at (828) 687-7234 for more information.

A limited number of sponsorships are also available for this high profile event. Contact Pam Lewis at [email protected] for details.