Annual Buzz Breakfast Series

2024 Summer Buzz Breakfast Series!

Foundations For The Future: Exploring Local Education & Its Impact on the

Future of Asheville & Buncombe County

Wednesday, June 12 – Critical Beginnings: Birth to 5, The First 2000 Days

Buy Series or June 12 Tickets Now

Wednesday, July 10 – K-12: Opportunity and Gaps: Where Are We?

Wednesday, August 14 – Higher Ed: Challenges and Changes…What’s The Future?

Where and at what time does the series happen? How much are tickets?

All breakfasts take place at the Crowne Plaza Expo Center. Doors open at 7:45 AM. Breakfast and networking from 8:00 – 8:30 AM. The program begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 9:45 AM.

Individual event tickets are $30, or you may purchase series tickets (all three events) for $75.

Table sponsorships are available! Individual event table sponsorships are $350 or you may purchase a series table sponsorship for $1000. Each table seats eight people. Table sponsors are recognized on all event materials and from the podium during the event. For more information on table sponsorships, please contact Jan Lowe at jlowe@unca.edu or call us at 828-255-7102.

What is the Buzz Series?

Buzz Breakfast, hosted by Leadership Asheville at UNC Asheville, is traditionally a three-part breakfast event series focused on one theme held each summer. The series is a fundraiser for the Leadership Asheville Flagship Program and all proceeds are used to provide financial assistance to community members who might otherwise not be able to participate in the Leadership Asheville Program. The theme varies each year, but it is always a timely & thought-provoking one that directly connects to our local Asheville community. Previous themes have included: “Growing & Retaining A Diverse Workforce For A Vibrant Future,” Working Together for a Safe and Vibrant Downtown,” and “Equity in Creative Placemaking.”

What are some past topics? Who are past guests?

Previous topics have included:

Building Bridges: What is Already Being Done and How Can You Help?
Show Me The Money: Funding Our Priorities…Where Does It Come From?
Safety For All & What Does That Mean?
Growth and a Diverse Workforce: Where Are We Now?
Growth & Retaining A Diverse Workforce From Within
In-migration: Recruiting & Retaining A Diverse Workforce
Removal of Confederate Monuments
Considerations When Selecting Public Art & Monuments

Past guests have included:

Mitch Landrieu, former Mayor of New Orleans, and author of In the Shadow of Statues: A White Southerner Confronts History
Paul Farber, the Director of Monument Lab, and Senior Research Scholar at the Center for Public Art & Space at the University of Pennsylvania
Katie Cornell, Executive Director, Asheville Area Arts Council,
Stephanie Monson Dahl, Strategic Development Program Director, City of Asheville
Sekou Coleman, Executive Director, Asheville Writers in the Schools & Community
Scott McLean, Director, Talent Management, The Biltmore Company
Nathan Ramsey, Director, Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, Land of Sky Regional Council
Kidada Wynn, Executive Director, Student Services, Asheville City Schools
Meherwan Irani, Founder, Chef and CEO, Chai Pani Restaurant Group
Jorie Matijevich, Regional Vice President of Human Resources, Mission Health
John Russler, Plant Manager, EATON Corporation
Avril Pinder, County Manager, Buncombe County
Dana Frankel, Downtown Planning Manager, City of Asheville
Kevan Frazier, Co-Owner, Well Played Game Café; Founder, Asheville By Foot Walking Tours; Executive Director, WCU Biltmore Park
Captain Mike Lamb, Asheville Police Department
David McCartney, General Manager, Hotel Arras
Debra Campbell, City Manager, City of Asheville

How can I learn more?

For more information, please contact Jan Lowe, Director of Leadership Asheville, or call 828-255-7102.