Spark ILM is the Wilmington region’s modern business gathering—designed to spark conversations, connections, and ideas that drive business growth and strengthen our community.
Grab your tickets now! Early bird pricing available now through August 31!
EVENT DETAILS:
Thursday, October 1
11:30am-8pm
Wilmington Convention Center
Why Attend?
- Gain timely insights into the local and national economies
- Get practical, actionable ideas to grow your career and business
- Celebrate and support great workplaces in our region
- Connect with Wilmington’s business and community leaders
THE AGENDA:
11:30am-2:00pm: Economic Outlook Keynote Lunch
The annual event that offers perspective into the local and national economies from distinguished economic experts.
2:00pm-5:00pm: Workshops
Deep dives into creating company cultures, leveraging AI, engaging audiences, scaling businesses and learning from leaders.
5:00pm-8:00pm: Best Places to Work Celebration
Meet, celebrate and learn from the inaugural class of Best Places to Work in Wilmington!
For sponsorship information, contact [email protected]
For event-related questions, contact Jamie Merrill at [email protected]
Hear from distinguished economic experts as they share timely perspectives on local, regional and national trends impacting businesses, industries and communities. Gain valuable context for the decisions you're making today and the opportunities ahead.
Whether you're leading an organization, growing a business or planning your next move, you'll leave with insights that help you navigate what's next with greater confidence.
After lunch, choose your path.
Spark ILM's Learning Paths are built around the topics shaping how we work, lead and grow right now. Through hands-on workshops, expert-led discussions and real-world case studies, attendees can dive deeper into the ideas most relevant to their goals and challenges.
Designed for practical takeaways, not passive listening, these sessions provide actionable strategies you can apply immediately.
Attendees can create their own experience by selecting three 45-minute sessions from six specialized Learning Path tracks.
Learning Path Tracks Include:
- Leadership that Works Now
- From Startup to Scale-Up
- Leveraging AI
- The Culture Advantage
- Engaging Audiences
- The Wilmington Conversation
Because the future belongs to people who keep learning, adapting and showing up for what's next.
Celebrating the organizations building better workplaces.
Spark ILM concludes with the inaugural Best Places to Work Celebration, recognizing the organizations setting the standard for workplace excellence across our region.
Join business leaders, teams and community partners as we honor companies creating cultures where people thrive, grow and do their best work. More than an awards program, this celebration is an opportunity to connect with the organizations and leaders shaping stronger workplaces throughout Wilmington and beyond.
Come celebrate achievement. Leave inspired by what's possible.
The 2026 Best Places to Work in Wilmington
- CAP3
- CAPE FEAR REALTORS® INC
- Capone & Associates
- Clancy & Theys Construction Company
- EARNEY Accountants & Advisors
- Evoke Mind and Body
- First Fruit Ministries
- Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
- Horton & Mendez, Attorneys At Law, PLLC
- James E. Moore Insurance Agency
- Kent Homes
- Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
- MegaCorp Logistics
- Monteith Construction Corp.
- MPW Partners & Co LLC, an Archer Lewis Company
- Outdoor Equipped
- Patriot Roofing and Exteriors
- Pine Valley Construction Company LLC
- PolyQuest
- REV Federal Credit Union
- Rodgers Builders
- Tayloe Gray Agency, LLC
- The Healing Place of New Hanover County
- The UPS Store (Morris Store Number III)
- Thomas Construction Group
