What a busy week and the countdown begins for the 2023 SOAR Summit! We are now less than 20 days until we all gather in Corbin for the biggest and greatest event in Eastern Kentucky on October 3-4!
While on the topic, let me share a few new updates on what will be happening this year and then we can share what is happening in our Appalachian region.
2023 SOAR Summit Information
Registration
First, if you have NOT registered for the SOAR Summit yet, this is your TWO-week warning to do so.
You can do so by using the link HERE.
I will let you in on a little secret discount … if you use promo code BLOG you can save $20 off your registration price.
That’s right! You get an early bird discount, even though we are way past that date.
Invite your friends, family, colleagues, and anybody else who wants to know what the SOAR Summit is all about!
In addition, if you work for any local government or are part of a city council, the 2023 SOAR Summit has been approved for 12.75 training hours for elected officials through the Kentucky Department for Local Government.
Speed Pitch Competition
We will be hosting three separate speed pitch competitions on October 3 on the Corbin Arena stage for all to witness and hear.
The three categories are high school, college/university, and the general public.
That’s right! There will be three separate competitions for pitch ideas to be able to win $500!
Have you always had a pitch idea or a business idea but did not know where to start? Do our speed pitch competition to be able to make that idea into a reality. No idea is too small for the big stage.
Bring your family and friends with you to support you while you make your idea presentation.
IF you are a high school or college student, please make sure to register using THIS LINK and register for the SOAR Summit using promo code STUDENT to be let in for FREE.
If you are a regular attendee, please use THIS LINK and register for the SOAR Summit using promo code BLOG to get a $20 discount on your registration price.
Student Exhibit Hall
SOAR is partnering with Congressman Hal Rogers and the Congressional App Challenge to offer a dedicated space for high school students in the SOAR Summit Exhibit Hall!
It can be anything that your students create!
No idea is too small to show off at the SOAR Summit.
This is a great chance for them to present their designs, talents, and gifts to those attending the SOAR Summit.
You can learn more about what your school can bring to showcase HERE.
New Addition: Pre-Summit Workshop
New to this year’s event is a Pre-Summit Workshop and Opening Reception on Monday, October 2 in Williamsburg, presented by the Kentucky League Of Cities:
- Workshop
Community and Regional Disaster Preparedness: The workshop will focus on community and regional disaster preparedness.
- SOAR Summit Opening Reception at the Cumberland Mint
Both the Pre-Summit Workshop and Opening Reception are additional ticketed events.
Each event is $25 and seating is limited.
You can register for the pre-summit workshop HERE.
TenTalk Speakers Announced!
10 minutes, two slides, and unforgettable topic ideas for you to hear and learn from.
We are proud to announce the speakers for the newest addition to the 2023 SOAR Summit, of TenTalk presented by the University of the Cumberlands!
TenTalk is intended to allow those passionate about the region and specific topics a chance to take the main stage inside the Corbin Arena.
We have speakers from different backgrounds – Research Director Dr. Beth Kelly from the Kentucky Center for Statistics, Founder and CEO Scott Koloms of Canopy, and Assistant Regional Director James O. Wilson of the United States Postal Trademark Office to name a few!
You can read more about the speakers HERE and make sure to register for the SOAR Summit to witness this new addition!
Brushy Forks Leadership Summit
Brushy Fork Institute is excited to invite everyone to attend their 2023 Brushy Fork Leadership Summit: Leading Through Resilience: Imagining the Future, in Berea, Kentucky, on November 2 and 3. The two-day gathering will feature intensive workshop tracks, taught by regional leaders and will have prime content for non-profit development! Attendees choose one intensive, eight-hour track to attend over two days, plus full group keynote and other sessions.
This year’s tracks include:
- Funding Strategies for Non-Profit Sustainability with Lee Ellen Martin
- Addressing Non-Profit Leadership and Management Issues: Board, Staff and Beyond with Aimee Russillo
- People Ready Communities – Considering Equitable Community Development with Donna Daniels
- Beyond Resilience: Practicing Personal Leadership & Community Inclusivity with Dee Parker and Leah Van Winkle
- Planning Organizational Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging Strategies with Monica Jones
- Nonprofit Leadership in a Crisis with Chris Handberg
The keynote address will feature Andrew Crosson of Invest Appalachia, Cultivating an Ecosystem of Resilience and Opportunity in Appalachia. Andrew will explore the implications—good and bad—of Appalachia as a destination for climate refugees.
Meals for the entirety of the event are included in the registration fee, and registrants will be responsible for their own lodging if required.
Professional Headshots for Women
Join Mountain Association at Oak Hill Gardens KY in London on Thursday, October 5 to get your professional headshots made by photographer Brandon Turner! The cost is just $35.
Meet other amazing women from across the region and talk with local nonprofits.
If you’re planning to attend the SOAR summit or Appalachian Big Ideas Fest that week, this stop would be the perfect start/finish!
You can register for a headshot HERE.
Appalachian Big Ideas Fest in Hazard
Appalachian Big Ideas Festival (ABIF) announces its programming and line-up of dynamic talent, panelists, and performances for the 2nd annual event to be held throughout Hazard, KY October 5-7th.
ABIF is a three-day experience of insightful storytelling, arts, culture, and community building. Registration is now open for the festival. Hear from national and local leaders, see artists create in real time, and enjoy some of the best cuisine Appalachia has to offer.
You can register for the event HERE.
Hippy-lachian Festival in Pineville
The secret is out!
Join Pineville locals on September 16th, 2023 12 pm-10 pm at Pine Mountain State Park for the Hippy-lachian Mountain Festival for a day of family-friendly fun, music, food, artisan vendors, crafts, and activities!
All ages welcome, $2 admission, veterans and kids under 12 free!
You can buy your tickets HERE.
CORI Virtual Pitch Event: Small Towns, Big Ideas
CORI is excited to share that they are gearing up to host their THIRD Annual CORI Virtual Pitch Event: Small Towns, Big Ideas this year on November 15!
If you’ve been able to join them in the past you know this event is a celebration of rural startups from a range of communities in their Rural Innovation Network, which includes Eastern Kentucky. They would love to have you in attendance — an event registration link is coming soon!
In addition to attending the virtual event, there are three other ways you could support rural entrepreneurs participating in this event:
- CORI is working to finalize its cash prize for the winning startup and would love to be able to offer a second-place or audience-choice award, as well. If you or your company would like to sponsor the event (and get exposure for your organization, plus our deepest gratitude) please reach out and let them know.
- Mentor participating entrepreneurs! If you have a few hours to spare between now and November 15 and would like to opt-in to mentoring select startups participating in the pitch event, please them know by emailing them: molly.pyle@ruralinnovation.us!
- Connect CORI with a potential judge — they are seeking introductions to investors with interest in early-stage rural tech startups to potentially serve on the panel of judges for this event! If this is you, or someone you know, reach out!
Want to Submit to our Roundup?
Well, that is going to do it for this week’s Weekly Roundup.
Know of a program that needs applicants from our region?
Do you know of a grant opportunity that one of our Eastern Kentucky non-profits could benefit from?
or just have good news from your town?
Email us at: roundup@soar-ky.org
Future events to add to your calendar:
September
- Miguel’s Pizzeria is Celebrating its 40th Birthday, on Sept 23rd
You can find a flyer for this event HERE.
- Beyond ’23: KYSTATS Data Summit, Sept 28
Come hear from KYSTATS, partners, & leaders from multiple sectors about our data and the potential for it to shape the future of Kentucky.
You can register HERE.
October
- SOAR Pre-Summit, Monday, Oct. 2
- SOAR Summit, Tuesday – Wednesday, Oct 3-4
You can learn more about these events HERE.
- Ally Fest, Oct. 6 & 7
Ally Fest will be returning to downtown Prestonsburg on October 6 & 7 with two major headlining artists!
Brought to you by, Paintsville Tourism, AOM Booking & Management, and Alley on Main.
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder will be playing Friday night and Billy Ray Cyrus and FIREROSE will be playing Saturday.
Want to know the best part?? ITS FREE!!!
Keep an eye out for the rest of the festival and the Official Alley Fest 2023 poster!
You can learn more information HERE.
- Ashland hosts the 8th annual Firkin Fest, on Oct. 14, Saturday
Beer Heaven Awaits!
Hold on to your beer mugs as Ashland unlocks the gates to craft beer paradise!
Prepare to embark on a journey through the wild and wonderful world of craft beer brewing, with hundreds of distinctive craft beers ready to dazzle your taste buds.
There will also be food trucks available!
You can learn more about the event HERE.
November
- Brushy Forks Leadership Summit, Nov. 2 & 3
Brushy Fork Institute is excited to invite everyone to attend their 2023 Brushy Fork Leadership Summit: Leading Through Resilience: Imagining the Future, in Berea, Kentucky, on November 2 and 3. The two-day gathering will feature intensive workshop tracks, taught by regional leaders and will have prime content for non-profit development! Attendees choose one intensive, eight-hour track to attend over two days, plus full group keynote and other sessions.
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Apollo’s Corner 🐈
It’s starting to feel cool outside and I can tell my mom is beginning to like this “It’s Fall Y’all” vibe. I’m not here for it nor do I support it. Why did she bring out a bunch of pumpkins? What are these bat decorations? Is this a dead man’s skeleton? Are any other felines out there questioning why the window is not as warm as it used to be?