Come hear Michael Smith of Charlotte Center City Partners and Jennifer Appleby of Wray Ward share highlights of the plan and how they believe the ideas will affect future economic development, talent attraction and improved quality of life for all.

Event Location

Wray Ward, 2317 Thrift Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208 -- Tuckasegee & Berryhill Rd are closed to construct a roundabout. Wray Ward’s parking lot is still open from both Thrift Rd and Berryhill Rd.

The closure will cause disruption if driving from Old Tuckasegee or if driving down Fourth Street from Uptown (from Fourth, there is a left turn before Thrift named Jay Street which avoids the closed intersection and brings you to Thrift Rd past Lucky Dog Bark & Brew). Please park in our parking next to Summit Seltzer/Midnight Mulligan.

Target Audience

Business Owners, Advisors, Consultants, Service Providers, CEOs, C-Suite, Managers, etc.

Social

A networking social will follow the speaker event next door at Midnight Mulligan Brewing.

About Our Speakers:

Michael J. Smith, President and CEO, Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP)

Michael J. Smith has been the President and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP) since 2005. CCCP boldly envisions and activates strategies and actions to assure Charlotte Center City is a welcoming and equitable, economically vibrant, culturally rich and beloved place for all.

Smith has held corporate roles at AT&T Communications, First Union’s Capital Markets Group and By-Products Interactive. Prior to his role as CEO of CCCP, Smith was the Chief Financial Officer at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

He is past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Downtown Association and serves on a number of regional Boards including the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte, Charlotte Sports Foundation, Fletcher School, the Hospitality and Tourism Alliance and the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.

Jennifer Appleby, President and CCO, Wray Ward

Jennifer Appleby is president and chief creative officer of marketing communications agency Wray Ward. Wray Ward provides inspired marketing solutions to help solve complex challenges while delivering meaningful results.

She is past board chair of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board of Trustees, which under her leadership refreshed its brand and is developing a new main library that will be a hub of culture, education and community connection. She served as board chair of the Arts & Science Council, chaired its Annual Fund Drive and has served on the Public Art Commission. She serves on the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council and served on executive committees for Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Charlotte Center City Partners and the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation Board.

Appleby has served in task force and leadership roles for organizations including Goodwill of the Southern Piedmont and United Way of Central Carolinas. She has been recognized with the Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year award from Queens University, Charlotte Business Journal’s Women in Business Achievement and Most Admired CEOs lists, and Business North Carolina Power List.

Michael J. Smith, President and CEO, Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP)

Jennifer Appleby, President and CCO, Wray Ward