2026 Spark ILM

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.

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:

For sponsorship information, contact [email protected]
For event-related questions, contact Jamie Merrill at [email protected]

After lunch, choose your path.

Spark ILM's Learning Paths are built around the topics shaping how our region works, leads and grows through workshops with expert-led discussions, hands-on exercises, and real-world case studies.

Designed for practical takeaways, these workshops provide actionable strategies you can apply immediately.

Attendees can attend any three of the 45-minute workshops in the six Learning Path rooms.

Tickets	Price
2026 Spark ILM Individual Ticket - All Access includes Keynote Lunch, Workshops & Best Places to Work Celebration	$125.00
2026 Spark ILM Group of 10 - Table of 10 to the Keynote Lunch, 10 tickets to the Workshops & Best Places to Work Celebration	$1,250.00

Event Discussion

Workshops

Presenter	Seminar
Thursday, Oct 1, 2026 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM
	Taught Here, Hired Here The strength of our region depends on how well we prepare the next generation and today's workforce. Join Cape Fear Community College President Jim Morton and UNCW College of Health & Human Services Dean Jack Watson for a conversation on how our two largest institutions are educating the talent that local employers need, and keeping that talent right here at home. Explore how education is evolving to fuel opportunity, strengthen the workforce, and drive the future of the Cape Fear region. Jim Morton, CFCC President & Jack Watson, UNCW CHHS Dean
	Less AI Talk. More AI Action Curious about AI but unsure where to start? This practical session with CEO of Empower Work, Travis Sherbine, cuts through the hype and focuses on real-world applications. Designed for business leaders and teams looking for immediate value, you'll learn simple, accessible ways to begin using AI to save time, increase productivity, and improve decision-making. Walk away with actionable tools, ideas, and next steps you can implement right away, regardless of your industry or technical experience. Travis Sherbine, CEO, Empower Work
	Growing Pains & Breakthroughs Growth is exciting, but it rarely comes without challenges. Join CEO of Frontier Scientific, Steve Uebele, Owner of Salt + Charm, Abbye McGee, and Cape Fear Energy’s COO, Robert Parker, for an honest discussion about the lessons learned while building and scaling successful businesses. As past Coastal Entrepreneur Awards winners, they'll share stories of setbacks, pivotal decisions, and breakthrough moments that fueled their growth. Gain practical insights on navigating uncertainty, overcoming obstacles, and building a business that can thrive through every stage of expansion. Steve Uebele, CEO, Frontier Scientific Solutions, Abbye McGee, Owner, Salt & Charm, Robert Parker, COO, Cape Fear Energy Systems
	Culture is Your Competitive Advantage A strong workplace culture doesn't happen by accident. It is built intentionally through leadership, values, and daily decisions. Join Lisa Leath, Chief People Officer, for an inside look at how Vantaca has created an environment where employees can thrive and perform at their best. Learn how culture influences engagement, retention, and business success, and discover practical strategies for building a workplace where people feel connected, supported, and motivated to contribute to a shared mission. Lisa Leath, Chief People Office, Vantaca
	The ROI of Delight Customers may forget what you said, but they rarely forget how you made them feel. Join UNCW Professor of Marketing, Donald Barnes as he explores the power of creating memorable customer experiences and why delight remains a powerful business strategy. Learn what audience delight truly means, how it influences loyalty and advocacy, and practical ways to build it into your customer interactions. Discover how small moments can create lasting impressions and meaningful business results. Donald Barnes, Professor of Marketing, UNCW
	Turning Vision Into Reality Big ideas can transform a community, but only when vision is backed by action. Join President & CEO of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Natalie English and ILM Airport Director, Jeff Bourk for a conversation on the leadership, partnerships, and persistence required to bring ambitious projects to life. From economic development to major infrastructure investments, they'll share lessons learned in helping shape Wilmington's future. Discover how leaders build momentum, align stakeholders, overcome challenges, and turn bold ideas into lasting impact. Jeff Bourk, Airport Director, ILM Airport & Natalie English, President & CEO, Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, Oct 1, 2026 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM
	The Boomtown Balancing Act Few decisions shape daily life more than those made at the city and county level. Join Wilmington City Manager Becky Hawke and New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet for a candid conversation on the growth, challenges, and tradeoffs facing our region. From infrastructure and housing to public services and long-term planning, they'll share how local government keeps pace with one of North Carolina's fastest-growing areas while protecting the quality of life that draws people here. Chris Coudriet, County Manager, New Hanover County & Becky Hawke, City Manager, City of Wilmington
	Small Steps, Real Wins You don't need a complete overhaul to see results from AI. The businesses seeing the biggest gains are often the ones that start small. Join Wilmington Media + Marketing’s VP of Sales + Marketing, Matthew Coleman and Earney IT’s Head of Revenue Operations, Bo Wheeler, for a look at how small businesses right here in Wilmington are putting AI to work to save time, sharpen operations, and grow at scale. Explore practical, proven examples and leave with a clear sense of where to begin and how to build from there. Matthew Coleman, VP of Sales + Marketing, Wilmington Media + Marketing & Bo Wheeler, Head of Revenue Operations, Earney IT
	How I Built This Every successful business has a story behind it. Join Owner & Founder Chris Capone as he shares the journey of building Capone & Associates and 717mkt Office Collaborative from the ground up and scaling them. Through personal experiences, hard-earned lessons, and key decisions along the way, Chris will offer a behind-the-scenes look at entrepreneurship and growth. Whether you're launching a new venture or expanding an existing one, you'll leave with practical insights to help guide your own path. Chris Capone, Owner & Founder, Capone & Associates and 717mkt Office Collaborative
	Keeping the People Who Matter Most In today's competitive workforce, attracting talent is only part of the challenge. Retaining great people requires intentional leadership, strong culture, and meaningful employee experiences. Join Kristen Bechtel, Co-Owner of Boombalatti’s, and Drew Hardin, VP of Project Development at Monteith Construction, as they share lessons from their industries on building engaged teams and creating workplaces where people want to stay. Through real-world examples and practical insights, this session will explore strategies for fostering connection, supporting employees, and strengthening retention in a rapidly evolving workplace. Kristen Bechtel, Co-Owner, Boombalatti's & Drew Hardin, VP of Project Development, Monteith Construction
	You're More Interesting Than Your Marketing Many businesses have valuable expertise, compelling stories, and unique perspectives, yet their marketing fails to reflect it. Join Senior Account & Business Development Manager for Tayloe Gray, Amy Muffley, to learn how to uncover what makes your business truly interesting and turn that into messaging customers remember. This session will explore how to communicate your value clearly, stand out in crowded markets, and create content that resonates. Walk away with practical strategies for translating expertise into authentic, memorable marketing. Amy Muffley, Business Development Director, Tayloe Gray
	Managing Momentum Launching a major initiative is only the beginning. Sustaining progress, navigating obstacles, and keeping teams focused are what drive long-term success. Join leaders from UnitedHealthcare and nCino as they share real-world experiences leading large-scale projects in fast-moving environments. Learn practical strategies for maintaining momentum, adapting to change, and delivering results without losing sight of the bigger picture. Walk away with insights you can apply to your next project, regardless of size or complexity. Wanda Coley, COO, UnitedHealthcare & Amanda Machan, Global People Operations, nCino
Thursday, Oct 1, 2026 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
	A Billion Dollar Bet on Wilmington No organization is positioned to shape our region quite like the New Hanover Community Endowment. Join President and CEO Sophie Dagenais for a conversation on how a fund of more than a billion dollars is investing in education, health, safety, and opportunity across New Hanover County. Learn how strategic giving translates into lasting local impact, the thinking behind the Endowment's priorities, and what its work means for the future of the community we all share. Sophie Dagenais, President & CEO, New Hanover Community Endowment
	Creating What's Next with AI AI is not only changing how businesses operate—it is making entirely new products and companies possible. Join Morris Nguyen, founder of Predicate AI Labs, for a candid look at building an AI-powered healthcare company from the ground up. Learn how Predicate identified an unmet need, transformed an ambitious idea into patented technology, and navigated the challenges of trust, regulation, funding, and commercialization. Leave with insights into recognizing meaningful opportunities and turning emerging technology into defensible, real-world business value. Morris Nguyen, Founder, Predicate AI Labs
	Scaling Without Compromise Growth should strengthen a business, not dilute what makes it successful. Join Michelle Fogle, Owner of Fleet Feet and David Fioravanti, CEO of Infinite Structures, as they discuss how they've expanded their organizations while maintaining quality, culture, and customer focus. Drawing from real-world experiences, they'll share strategies for making thoughtful growth decisions, staying true to core values, and avoiding common scaling pitfalls. Learn how to balance ambition with sustainability and build a business that can grow without compromising the standards that drive success. Michelle Fogle, Owner, Fleet Feet & David Fioravanti, CEO, Infinite Structures
	Inside the Best Places to Work What sets top workplaces apart from the rest? Join representatives from several Best Places to Work honorees for a panel discussion exploring how successful organizations build strong cultures, engage employees, and navigate today's workforce challenges. With Outdoor Equipped CEO, Chad Hankinson, CEO of James E. Moore Insurance, Adrienne Moore, Lindsey Zurcher, Chief HR Office for MegaCorp Logistics & moderated by Peter Burke, President of Workforce Research Group, this session will provide real-world insights into creating environments where people and businesses can thrive. Learn what leading employers are doing differently and how you can apply those lessons within your own organization. Chad Hankinson, CEO, Outdoor Equipped, Adrienne Moore, CEO, James E. Moore Insurance Agency & Lindsey Zurcher, Chief HR Officer, MegaCorp Logistics
	The Power of Small Audiences Most businesses don't need more followers. They need stronger relationships. Join Owner & Founder of Axis Fitness, Mike Barnhart and CEO of CoWorx, Noah Smith, for a conversation that challenges conventional marketing wisdom and explores the value of building communities instead of simply growing audiences. Learn why businesses that focus on deeper customer connections often outperform those chasing reach and engagement metrics alone. Discover practical ways to foster loyalty, strengthen relationships, and turn customers into advocates who help drive sustainable growth. Mike Barnhart, Owner & Founder, Axis Fitness & Noah Smith, CEO, CoWorx
	How Great Teams Stay Aligned As organizations grow, keeping teams focused on shared goals becomes increasingly important. Join CEO of Vantaca, Ben Currin and President of Live Oak Bank, BJ Losch for a candid conversation on what it takes to build alignment across departments, maintain clarity through change, and create a culture of accountability. Drawing from their leadership experiences, they'll share practical approaches for ensuring people stay connected to the mission, communicate effectively, and move in the same direction to achieve meaningful results. Ben Currin, CEO, Vantaca & BJ Losch, President, Live Oak Bank