Raleigh marketing guru comes to Asheville - Nov. 18th

Author and Raleigh-based marketing guru Karl Sakas is bringing his unique style of marketing expertise to Asheville’s premier marketing event – the quarterly luncheon sponsored by the American Advertising Federation – Asheville (AAFA).
 

Sakas, president of Agency Firefox and author of “Don’t Just Make the Logo Bigger,” shares his take on how to find the right clients, how to get clients to pay you what you’re worth and how to say “no” to those “clients from hell,” without burning bridges. Sakas is funny and informative – a mix that is sure to give marketing agency reps and freelancers a goodie-bag of ideas to take with them.

The event takes place Tuesday, November 18th, at Strada Italiano in downtown Asheville (27 Broadway), from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.  Cost is $15 for members and $20 for guests (includes lunch).

Following his presentation, Sakas will preside over a Q&A to answer real-life questions about how to handle difficult client situations.  Sakas has been doing client service since he was 15 years old, when he started a web design and business consulting firm while in high school in the D.C. area. A fourth generation business owner, he’s led the business operations team at two different digital marketing agencies, and has 17+ years of consulting experience. He’s written three books about managing marketing agencies, including “The Agency Fast Track” series. 

AAF Asheville brings together the creative minds and diverse disciplines that make up WNC’s advertising industry. We’re a member of District 3 in the American Advertising Federation. AAF Asheville offers advertising expertise and support to the membership and the entire Western North Carolina community through self-regulation, education, professional development, communications and public service.

Verizon joins community in raising $20,000 for domestic violence prevention

Verizon matched $10,000 raised by Buncombe County residents to support Helpmate during domestic violence awareness month in October.

Verizon Wireless recently called on the community in Buncombe County to join them in supporting Helpmate[1], a crisis-service provider for survivors of domestic violence. The community raised $10,000 and Verizon’s HopeLine program matched it. The $20,000 raised during Domestic Violence Awareness Month will fund victim services.

“Verizon Wireless is proud to participate in this community’s passion to end domestic violence,” said Sarah Schneider, district manager for Verizon, who presented the matching donation at Helpmate’s Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil Tuesday at A-B Tech. “With this donation we hope to be one step closer to ending the cycle of domestic violence throughout Buncombe County.”

“We are overjoyed that our community has stepped up to help us raise $20,000,” said April Burgess-Johnson, executive director of Helpmate. “With this money, we will be able to help even more survivors of domestic violence receive the services and care they need to heal and move on with their lives.”

Organizations in Buncombe County, including Helpmate, have partnered through the eNOugh Campaign[2], which combines law enforcement, civic groups and domestic violence experts in an effort to align resources and decrease the number of domestic violence-related deaths in western North Carolina.

AIR's "Taste of Asheville" spotlights the best Foodtopia has to offer

Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR) brings together 40 of the city’s most talented chefs on November 20, 2014 at the Annual Taste of Asheville. This year’s event will be at The Venue, 21 North Market Street in downtown Asheville, from 7 to 9 p.m. Regular tickets are $75/person and $125/couple. VIP tickets, which get you in ahead of the crowd at 6 p.m., are available at $100/person and $175/couple. All tickets can be purchased at AIR’s website (www.airasheville.org). 

Participating in the 2014 Taste of Asheville are: Amborzia Bar & Bistro, The Bier Garden, Blue Kudzu - Food & Saki, Bouchon, Brasillia Churrasco Steakhouse, Buffalo Nickel, The Cantina at Biltmore, Chai Pani, Chestnut, City Bakery Café, Corner Kitchen, Creekside Taphouse Creperie Bouchon, Daugherty's American Kitchen, French Broad Chocolate Lounge, Green Sage, Isa's Bistro, Isis Restaurant & Music Hall, Jack of the Wood, Jerusalem Garden Café, Karen Donatelli, King James Public House, Korean House, Laughing Seed, Lexington Avenue Brewery, The Lobster Trap, Luella's Bar-B-Que, Mela, Nightbell, Okie Dokies, Smokehouse, Pack's Tavern, Plant,  Red Stag Grill, Rosetta's Kitchen, Sante Wine Bar, The Social, The Social Lounge & Tapas, Strada Italiano, Sunny Point, Tupelo Honey Café, Ultimate Ice Cream, Vincenzo’s, Vinnie's Neighborhood Italian, Vortex Doughnuts, along with spirits from Asheville Brewing (Beer Only), Divine Wine & Beer Urban Orchard Cider, Co. (Cider Only), Weinhaus (Wine Sampling), and Wicked Weed (Beer Only).

“This year’s Taste of Asheville celebrates the beginning of AIR’s second decade and the successes our independent restaurant association has experienced,” said Peter Pollay, president of AIR and chef/owner of Posana on Pack Square. “In 2014, Asheville has been recognized repeatedly as a lively, authentic food destination by publications like the Wall Street Journal, Southern Living, Forbes and Conde Nast Traveller. AIR restaurants are a major reason why.”
  
As in previous years, a portion of ticket proceeds from the Taste of Asheville will benefit many AIR programs including the Chefs of Tomorrow Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to A-B Tech’s award-winning culinary program. “Education and professional development are at the heart of AIR,” said Elizabeth Button, Education Committee chair and owner of the nationally-acclaimed Curate Spanish tapas restaurant on Biltmore Avenue and Nightbell, a vintage-themed nightclub on South Lexington Avenue. “In addition to encouraging new talent through scholarships to A-B Tech, AIR also provides ongoing educational opportunities for its members. It’s part of our belief that there are great careers in Asheville’s independent restaurant community.”