• AVL Biz Magazine
  • Posts
  • AVL Biz Weekly | Sep 17: The Asheville Business Summit is Here & Tons More

AVL Biz Weekly | Sep 17: The Asheville Business Summit is Here & Tons More

From rooftop mixers to real estate hacks, plus a music lineup that slaps (isn’t that what the kids say? 😂).

Author

Jason De Los Santos
September 17, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Welcome to AVL BIZ Weekly—your local cheat sheet for what’s happening in Asheville’s small business + creative scenes.

Each week: hand-picked events, marketing ideas that actually work, and a little local flavor to keep things fun.

My name's Jason and I'm writing this (connect with me here).

📋 On Deck

  • Business Events: Last days to buy tickets to the Asheville Business Summit

  • Fun Stuff: dodgeball, food fest, book club, and ballroom basics

  • Bands on the Horizon: Turnstile, Father John Misty & beyond

  • Marketing Quickies: 4 Google profile power-ups

🙋 Want your biz featured in front of a few really smart AVL business owners? Email me for detail

What’s up, AVL friends?

We’re officially less than one week out from the Asheville Business Summit. This is Asheville and WNC's own full-scale gathering of founders, creatives, and community builders, with a lineup of amazing speakers, live performances, and some seriously good networking.

Here’s the quick agenda:

  • Sun, Sept 21 (4–6 PM): Rooftop Kickoff Networking Party @ Capella on 9

  • Mon, Sept 22 (5:30–8 PM): VIP Dinner @ Highland Brewing (intimate access to speakers + sponsors)

  • Tue, Sept 23 (7:30 AM–4 PM): Main Event @ Diana Wortham Center — sessions, keynotes, and case studies with folks like Alex Matisse (East Fork), Bill Gilliland, Reggie Tidwell, and more.

I’ll be there, and you should too. Bring your notebook, your curiosity, and your best “let’s collaborate” vibe.

And because you’re part of the AVL Biz fam, your 59% discount code (2025avlbiz) is still good for a couple more days.

👉 Full details + tickets: wncsummit.com

📅 Business Events

  • 🗓️ She Owns It, AVL – Wed, Sep 17 · 6:00–7:30 PM (Rad Brewing Co, 13 Mystery St)

    A fresh monthly meetup for women ready to step into their next chapter in business, money, mindset, and home. Guest speaker + group energy = pure empowerment.

  • 🗓️ Asheville Realtor Social Media Workshop – Thu, Sep 18 · 9:30–11:30 AM (The Mule at Devil’s Foot, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd)

    Realtors, want your posts to actually connect? This hands-on workshop will help you sharpen your content game and put new tactics into practice right away.

  • 🗓️ Asheville Women in Tech: Social Night – Thu, Sep 18 · 6:30–8:30 PM (Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd)

    No code required—just grab a drink, swap stories, and meet the women shaping Asheville’s growing tech scene.

  • 🗓️ Grocery Run Asheville – Thu, Sep 18 · 5:30–8:30 PM (French Broad Chocolate Factory, 821 Riverside Dr #199)

    Food & beverage brands, this one’s for you: connect with buyers from Whole Foods + Earth Fare, showcase products, and network over samples.

  • 🗓️ Full-Time Coaching Income – Fri, Sep 19 · 1:00–2:15 PM (Hatchworks, 45 S French Broad Ave)

    For coaches tired of undercharging, this session delivers mindset shifts and a framework for building a practice that actually pays.

  • 🗓️ Networking Social & Kickoff Party (Asheville Business Summit) – Sun, Sep 21 · 4:00–6:00 PM (Capella on 9, AC Hotel, 10 Broadway, 9th floor)

    Rooftop views, local makers, live performers—plus a chance to rub elbows with the folks behind the Asheville Business Summit. Free to attend, just bring good vibes (and a friend if you want). Free event.

  • 🗓️ Asheville Business Summit – Tue, Sep 23 · 8:30 AM–4:00 PM (Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave)

    Find a great group of entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators under one roof. Expect powerhouse speakers, actionable workshops, and high-level networking designed to move your business forward. Tickets available for a couple more days: WNCSummit.com

  • 🗓️ Sept Roundtable: RE Investor Tax Strategies – Wed, Sep 24 · 6:00–8:00 PM (Movement Mortgage, 230 Hilliard Ave, Ste 1)

    This month’s roundtable dives into real estate tax strategies for investors with local experts Tyler Donanellan and George Gabler of Prager Metis CPAs. Candid insights, real-world stories, and a casual but sharp convo. Seating capped at 20, RSVP fast.

Hosting something cool?

📬 Hit reply and tell me what you think. Or share an event!

💡 Marketing Quickies

  • Refresh Google Business Photos – Upload new project shots or team pics monthly; fresh visuals boost engagement.

  • Earn Local Reviews – Ask happy clients to mention your city + service (“Best electrician in Asheville”). Keywords in reviews = SEO gold.

  • Optimize Your Service Area – Double-check your Google profile lists all nearby towns you actually serve.

  • Use Posts for Promotions – Treat Google Business Posts like mini-ads. Weekly tips, deals, or events keep your listing lively + clickable.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

  • 🗓️ Dodgeball Open Play (21+) – Thu, Sep 18 · 7:00–9:45 PM (Asheville Sports Club, 137 Coxe Ave)

    Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and… don’t get smashed in the face. Asheville’s adult dodgeball night is pure energy and laughter. No experience required.

  • 🗓️ Foodees Food & Culture Festival – Fri–Sun, Sep 19–21 (Tanger Outlets, 800 Brevard Rd)

    40+ food trucks, local artisans, music, and crafts. This is free entry, max flavor.

  • 🗓️ Hike Chestnut Mountain (Reopened Trail) – Sun, Sep 21 · 2:00–3:30 PM (Chestnut Mountain Nature Park, 2415 Asheville Hwy, Canton)

    Tackle the freshly reopened Papertown Express Trail. 3 miles, great views, and dog-friendly vibes.

  • 🗓️ Black Cat Book Club: Fledgling – Sun, Sep 21 · 3:00–5:00 PM (Botanical Gardens at Asheville, 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd)

    Speculative fiction fans unite—discuss Octavia Butler’s Fledgling among the blooms.

  • 🗓️ Beginner Ballroom Dance Class – Tue, Sep 23 · 6:00–7:00 PM (Homewood Event Center, 19 Zillicoa St)

    Five-week beginner series, no partner needed—just bring your dancing shoes.

  • 🗓️ Gentle Yoga + Sound Healing – Tue, Sep 23 · 6:00–7:30 PM (Energetic Experiences, 81 Weaverville Rd, Ste 2)

    Unwind with restorative yoga and immersive sound healing. $11 at the door.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon (Aug 27–Sep14)

  • Turnstile w/ Mannequin Pussy, Speed & Jane Remover – Sep 17 @ Asheville Yards Amphitheater

  • Bonny Light Horseman + Angela Autumn – Sep 17 @ The Orange Peel

  • Allen Stone + Forrest Day – Sep 18 @ The Orange Peel

  • Hazlett + Caity Krone – Sep 19 @ The Orange Peel

  • Stereolab + Memorials – Sep 20 @ The Orange Peel

  • Father John Misty w/ Cut Worms – Sep 21 @ Asheville Yards Amphitheater

  • Deafheaven + Harm’s Way + I Promised the World – Sep 22 @ The Orange Peel

  • Lucy Dacus w/ Slow Pulp – Sep 23 @ Asheville Yards Amphitheater

  • G Flip + Chinchilla – Sep 23 @ The Orange Peel

  • Brooks Nielsen (of The Growlers) – Sep 24 @ The Orange Peel

  • Rilo Kiley – Sep 27 @ Asheville Yards Amphitheater

  • Molly Tuttle + Joshua Ray Walker + Cecilia Castleman – Sep 27 @ The Orange Peel

  • Lake Street Dive – Sep 28 @ Asheville Yards Amphitheater

  • St. Vincent – Sep 29 @ The Orange Peel

  • Djo w/ Post Animal – Sep 30 @ Asheville Yards Amphitheater. I’m taking my daughter to her first ever concert to see Djo!!

Want your website to bring in leads while you sleep (no ads, no dancing on TikTok)? That’s literally what I do.

Let’s hop on a 15-minute strategy call. I'll give you at least one actionable tip you can implement immediately. No pitch, just value.

Reply “Let’s Talk.”

Want your biz in front of smart AVL owners & creators? Reply with what you’re up to and we’ll see if it’s a fit.

Until next week,

Jason De Los Santos
Pixelated Stories Digital Marketing
(828) 585-4293

P.S. Update your Google Business Profile with a fresh photo today. It takes 60 seconds and helps a ton.