1 Million Cups

1MC provides a supportive, inclusive space for entrepreneurs and their communities to gather and connect, where they can work through business challenges and identify opportunities. Wilmington, NC is one of many chapters across the United States. Join us as startups, an......More

1MC provides a supportive, inclusive space for entrepreneurs and their communities to gather and connect, where they can work through business challenges and identify opportunities. Wilmington, NC is one of many chapters across the United States. Join us as startups, and small businesses present for 6 minutes about their company, followed by 20 minutes of Q&A. 1MC Wilmington meets every Wednesday, 9AM, at the University for North Carolina Wilmington Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

UNCW CIE: 803 College Rd G, Wilmington, NC 28403

2026 - Q1 Young Professionals Council meeting

SBTDC: Takinng the Leap

Apply Now for the SBTDC’s Taking the Leap to Kickstart Your Business Venture Embarking on a business journey without proper guidance can feel overwhelming. Why take the leap without the essential tools for success? These cohorts offer an opportunity for high-pote......More

Apply Now for the SBTDC’s Taking the Leap to Kickstart Your Business Venture Embarking on a business journey without proper guidance can feel overwhelming. Why take the leap without the essential tools for success? These cohorts offer an opportunity for high-potential startups and founders to network with fellow entrepreneurs, exchange ideas, and gain invaluable insights. With a focus on interactive learning, participants will receive personalized guidance from experienced instructors and guest mentors. Participants can anticipate acquiring the following resources: Business Plan Templates / Outlines / Guides Financial Projection Templates Intellectual Property Guide Digital Marketing Strategies Market and Industry Insights Customer Discovery Techniques Startup Checklist Join us at UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Wilmington, NC on March 12, 19, and 26 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Our program requires an application for admission. Seats are limited, so apply now to secure your spot and kickstart your entrepreneurial journey!

Wilmington, NC

NEW: DEEEEEP Drive

Networking and education event. Featured speaker will include Robbie Allen of Bionic Health

TBD

2026 - After-Hours BizMix Sponsored by Resource Business Brokerage

  Connect with a diverse mix of Wilmington Chamber members in a relaxed, after-hours setting. Expect to meet local business owners, emerging entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and community decision-makers — all gathered to exchange ideas, share resources, and explore po......More

  Connect with a diverse mix of Wilmington Chamber members in a relaxed, after-hours setting. Expect to meet local business owners, emerging entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and community decision-makers — all gathered to exchange ideas, share resources, and explore potential collaborations. Whether you’re looking to grow your network, discover new partnerships, or simply catch up with familiar faces, the Wilmington Chamber’s BizMix series offers the perfect environment to make meaningful connections that can benefit your business long after the evening ends.   Schedule: Held on the second Wednesday or Thursday of every month, avoiding holidays   Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm   Location: Varies depending on the sponsor/host   Cost to Attend & Eligibility: Complimentary for members; intended exclusively for Wilmington Chamber members   Cost to Sponsor: Please contact Megan Mullins at [email protected] for more details   Parking: Parking should accommodate 100 - 150 guests   What to Bring: Business cards (and a welcoming attitude!). Come prepared to introduce your business and ask for or offer leads.   RSVP / Contact: Registration is required.

Empty Bowls

Empty Bowls is a beloved community event that brings together local restaurants, potters, volunteers, and neighbors to support hunger relief in our region. Each guest receives: • One selection from a variety of specialty soups, donated by local restaurants • An artis......More

Empty Bowls is a beloved community event that brings together local restaurants, potters, volunteers, and neighbors to support hunger relief in our region. Each guest receives: • One selection from a variety of specialty soups, donated by local restaurants • An artisan bowl of your choosing, provided by local artists • An opportunity to share a meal in fellowship with your neighbors, in support of Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard’s food pantry and Good Shepherd Center’s soup kitchen All proceeds from Empty Bowls support both Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard and Good Shepherd Center. Your support helps Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard provide nonperishable groceries and essential items through its Food Pantry and helps Good Shepherd Center serve hot meals through the Soup Kitchen and offer fresh produce and staples through the Grocery Giveaway. Together, your generosity ensures that neighbors across our community remain nourished and cared for. Tickets are $50, and sponsorship opportunities are available. We look forward to welcoming the community for this meaningful, long-standing tradition of compassion and support. Purchase tickets and sponsorships here: https://goodshepherdwilmington.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/EmptyBowls2026/tabid/1562759/Default.aspx

Location: First Baptist Activity Center, 1939 Independence Blvd, Wilmington, NC

2026 - Chamber Connections Sponsored by Holmes Security Systems

Chamber Connections is a monthly gathering designed for members of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce to build connections and grow their referral network.   Each session gives participants the chance to introduce themselves, highlight what makes their business uniq......More

Chamber Connections is a monthly gathering designed for members of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce to build connections and grow their referral network.   Each session gives participants the chance to introduce themselves, highlight what makes their business unique, and share any current needs or opportunities. A different sponsor will be featured every month, and Chamber staff will provide updates on recent initiatives and community news. You’ll leave each meeting with fresh ideas, valuable contacts, and actionable leads to help move your business forward.     Schedule: Held on the third Monday of every month, avoiding holidays   Time: 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM (Eastern Time).   Location: Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, 1 Estell Lee Place, Wilmington, NC 28401   Cost to Attend & Eligibility: Complimentary for members; intended exclusively for Wilmington Chamber members   Cost to Sponsor: $300 per event, max of two per year   Parking: On-site Chamber parking lot available. Convention Center parking deck also an option.   What to Bring: Business cards (and a welcoming attitude!). Come prepared to introduce your business and ask for or offer leads.   RSVP / Contact: Registration is required.   For questions or more information, contact Kristin Peoples at [email protected].

Wilmington Chamber of Commerce 1 Estell Lee Place Wilmington, NC 28401

2026 - Women's Professional Development Luncheon

Women’s Professional Development Luncheon Featuring Lauren Beane   Tuesday, March 17, 2026 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM Wilmington Convention Center   The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce invites you to one of the region’s most anticipated professional events of the ......More

Women’s Professional Development Luncheon Featuring Lauren Beane   Tuesday, March 17, 2026 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM Wilmington Convention Center   The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce invites you to one of the region’s most anticipated professional events of the year. Our annual Women’s Professional Development Luncheon brings together 400+ professional women from across southeastern North Carolina for an afternoon of inspiration, connection, and leadership development.   This signature luncheon attracts women from a wide range of industries, career stages, and leadership roles, creating a dynamic environment for relationship-building, idea-sharing, and meaningful engagement. For attendees, it is a chance to step away from the day-to-day and refocus on growth. For sponsors, it offers unmatched visibility with a large, engaged audience of decision-makers and influencers.   Keynote Presentation   Ready Enough: Activating Confidence with Only 50% of the Answers How often do we wait until we feel fully prepared before raising our hand, pursuing a promotion, or taking the next big step? In this powerful and relatable keynote, Lauren Beane challenges the myth of being “ready” and shows how confidence is built through action, not perfection.   Drawing from personal experience and practical insight, Lauren encourages women to stop waiting for certainty and start moving forward with the confidence they already have. Attendees will leave inspired to take intentional steps toward their goals, even when the path ahead isn’t fully clear.   Key Takeaways Include: ·      Why waiting for the perfect moment holds us back ·      How to trust your inner voice and pursue new opportunities ·      Practical ways to harness your strengths and build momentum   About the Speaker Lauren Beane is a highly acclaimed TEDx and Top 50 Female Speaker who helps audiences take meaningful action by believing they are ready enough, even without all the answers. A visionary and natural entrepreneur from an early age, Lauren learned early that progress comes from action, not perfection. As she entered the corporate world, that mindset shifted, leading to hesitation and missed opportunities. In March 2020, she made a defining decision to stop waiting for the “right time” and launched the consulting and speaking business she had long envisioned.   Event Agenda 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM | Registration & Networking 11:45 AM | Lunch is served 12:15 – 1:30 PM | Keynote Presentation   Tickets Chamber Members: $65 per person | Table of 8 with priority seating for $620 Non-Members: $75 | Table of 8 with priority seating for $700   Suggested Dress Business Casual   Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities? This event offers exceptional brand exposure to a highly engaged audience of professional women and business leaders. Contact Chris Hardy at [email protected] to learn more.   Questions? Sophie Craddock Member Experiences Manager [email protected]

WM+M Power Breakfast

1 Million Cups

1MC provides a supportive, inclusive space for entrepreneurs and their communities to gather and connect, where they can work through business challenges and identify opportunities. Wilmington, NC is one of many chapters across the United States. Join us as startups, an......More

1MC provides a supportive, inclusive space for entrepreneurs and their communities to gather and connect, where they can work through business challenges and identify opportunities. Wilmington, NC is one of many chapters across the United States. Join us as startups, and small businesses present for 6 minutes about their company, followed by 20 minutes of Q&A. 1MC Wilmington meets every Wednesday, 9AM, at the University for North Carolina Wilmington Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

UNCW CIE: 803 College Rd G, Wilmington, NC 28403

Port City Young Professionals

Please visit the Port City Young Professionals page to register: https://www.portcityyoungprofessionals.com/

Principal for a Day

In our effort to support continuous improvement of the development of our future workforce, we are again embarking upon a partnership with New Hanover County Schools. This particular program is to provide business and other leaders in our community with an opportunity t......More

In our effort to support continuous improvement of the development of our future workforce, we are again embarking upon a partnership with New Hanover County Schools. This particular program is to provide business and other leaders in our community with an opportunity to shadow a principal for the day on March 19, 2026. All participants will be asked to arrive at the school on that morning when the principal does. They will follow the principal and participate in the things that principal does during the morning. All participants will then gather at the Board of Education building to review what we’ve learned. Afternoon snacks will be provided. The purpose is to better educate those of us who don’t work in one of our schools and to highlight ways the business community can better support our school leaders. Participation is by invitation only. If you are interested, please contact Laura Primavera. 

2026 - Leadership Wilmington Alumni Council Day of Service with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC

This event is open to all Leadership Wilmington Alumni and the Class of 2026. The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (the Food Bank) is a nonprofit organization that has provided food for our friends and neighbors facing hunger in 34 counties in central ......More

This event is open to all Leadership Wilmington Alumni and the Class of 2026. The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (the Food Bank) is a nonprofit organization that has provided food for our friends and neighbors facing hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina for over 40 years. The Food Bank is an affiliate member of Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger relief charity.  Join fellow alumni to GIVE BACK of your time to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina from 2:00-4:00pm. Projects include: Sorting bulk produce into family size bags. Sorting donations from retail stores such as Food Lion and Harris Teeter. Cleaning and bagging drink pouches. Sorting and inspecting food drive donations from individuals and corporations. All participants are required to register directly with the Food Bank. Once you register with the chamber, a separate link will be provided via email. 

1000 Greenfield Street Wilmington, NC 28401