Question 1

When and where is the 2026 Business Showers?

Accepted Answer

Friday July 17 (VIP Speed Networking Night) and Saturday July 18 (Main Celebration), 2026 at the Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel, 5501 Carnegie Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28209. Finalist pitches livestream June 16, 17, and 18 on Zoom.

Question 2

How do I vote for a business?

Accepted Answer

Community voting opens June 19 and closes June 22. Each vote is $2, and 100% of voting proceeds support the program. Visit https://www.businessshowers.org/contest to cast your vote.

Question 3

Can I volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Volunteer opportunities include Friday morning setup (4 needed at 8:00 AM July 17), Saturday event support, and remote/admin tasks for anyone out-of-state. Sign up at https://pitch.businessshowers.org/volunteer.

Question 4

How do I sponsor a business or host a resource table?

Accepted Answer

Sponsorship tiers range from $250 to $5,000. A $550 Table Sponsorship reserves a VIP-night resource table. Apply at https://pitch.businessshowers.org/sponsor.

Question 5

What is the $10,000 award?

Accepted Answer

The community-voted finalist of the Business Showers receives a $10,000 business grant alongside resource introductions and mentorship from program partners.

The Winston Collection