When and where is the 2026 Business Showers?

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.

How do I vote for a business?

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.

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.

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

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.

What is the $10,000 award?

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

Business Showers 2026 · July 17 & 18 · Charlotte, NC

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Business Showers website at pitch.businessshowers.org and any subdomains, apps, or event experiences we operate (together, the “Service”). The Service is provided by Freedom In Me, a community organization based in Charlotte, NC.

By using the Service you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy and Photo & Video Release. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.

1. Who May Use the Service

You must be at least 18 years old to submit any form or opt into email or SMS.
You agree to provide accurate information when you check in, register, or submit any form.
You agree not to impersonate another person or check in on behalf of someone without their permission (walk-ins for a specific person are allowed with their consent).

2. Event Participation

Attending a Business Showers event — including the 2026 VIP Networking Experience (July 17) and the 2026 Business Showers ceremony (July 18) — is subject to venue rules, safety guidelines, and any published event code of conduct. We may deny entry or ask an attendee to leave if they behave in a way that endangers or harasses others.

3. Communications You Opt Into

Email

We send email only to people who have opted in through a specific form (2027 Early Access, volunteer sign-up, sponsor inquiry, etc.). Every email includes a one-click unsubscribe link.

SMS

SMS is opt-in only. The opt-in is presented on-site at the check-in form. By checking the SMS consent box you agree to receive:

A one-time check-in confirmation text with a link to the digital program.
Optional same-day event updates (typically 0–1 additional messages during the event).
An optional post-event thank-you text with the photo album link, within 30 days of the event.

Message frequency: typically 1–3 messages per event cycle. Message and data rates may apply.Reply STOP to opt out at any time. Reply HELP for help, or email info@itsthefreedominme.com.

We do not send marketing or promotional SMS to ticket registrants in advance of the event.The SMS opt-in only occurs on event day, at the check-in kiosk.

4. Donations

Donation buttons on the Service link to third-party payment processors we designate. We do not process card information on our own servers. Donations to Freedom In Me may be tax-deductible if we are recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization at the time of your gift — please consult your tax advisor and refer to our donation acknowledgment for the current tax status.

5. Ticketing & Refunds

Tickets to Business Showers events are sold through Eventbrite (or another third-party ticket platform we designate). Refund and cancellation policies are governed by that platform's terms at the time of purchase. Please review those terms before completing a ticket purchase.

6. Photos & Recording

Business Showers events are photographed and recorded. Attendance implies consent to appear in event photography, livestream footage, and post-event recap content, subject to our Photo & Video Release. See that page for how to request removal of a specific image.

7. Intellectual Property

“Freedom In Me,” “Business Showers,” the event artwork, honoree list, and site content are our property or used with permission.
Attendee-submitted photos remain the property of the attendee, subject to the license granted in the Photo & Video Release.
You may not reproduce, resell, or commercially exploit the Service without prior written permission.

8. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

Submit false, misleading, or automated form entries.
Attempt to access administrator, volunteer, or manager areas without authorization.
Interfere with the Service, its security, or the check-in flow of other attendees.
Use the Service to harass, defame, or threaten anyone.

9. Third-Party Services

The Service integrates with third-party providers (Twilio for SMS, Resend for email, Google for administrator sign-in, Eventbrite or similar for tickets, and a photo-sharing platform we designate — currently Kululu). Their respective privacy policies and terms apply to any information you share with them.

10. Disclaimer & Limitation of Liability

The Service is provided as-is, without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Freedom In Me will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of your use of the Service or attendance at an event.

11. Changes to the Service or these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be posted here with a new effective date. Continued use of the Service after an update indicates your acceptance of the revised Terms.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, USA, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

13. Contact

Freedom In Me
Charlotte, NC
info@itsthefreedominme.com