North Texas is a big place, with plenty to do, see, hear, and watch. So, we scour the internet every week to find events and activities for you. As always, events may change at any time, so check the event website or registration page for the latest details.
April 30 – May 6 is National Small Business Week. The weeklong celebration to recognize America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners has been held since 1963. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration website, more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. Small businesses generate about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.
As part of National Small Business Week, the SBA recognizes the contributions and impact by entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories.
THURSDAY, APRIL 27
GRAND OPENING OF THE BLACKSTONE LAUNCHPAD AT UTD
The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, in Richardson
5:30 – 7 p.m.
The grand opening will include a ribbon cutting ceremony, and a showcase of UT Dallas entrepreneurs.
Free
Register and find more information here.
FRIDAY, APRIL 28
21ST ANNUAL WOMEN’S BUSINESS CONFERENCE
Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd., in Dallas
8 a.m.
The Dallas Regional Chamber will host the 21st Annual Women’s Business Conference, presented by Jackson Walker LLP. The event celebrates women who are achieving excellence in their professions, serving the community in a meaningful way, and helping other women reach their full potential. Organizers expect about 800 women to come together for the half-day seminar featuring morning keynote speaker Judy Smith, the inspiration behind the ABC award-winning TV show Scandal and a renowned crisis management expert, and lunch speaker Nely Galan, immigrant, self-made media mogul, and the first Latina President of Entertainment for a U.S. television network, Telemundo.
Register for the event here.
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RISING TIDE INITIATIVE LAUNCH & PANEL DISCUSSION
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1600 Gendy St., in Fort Worth
6 – 8 p.m.
The panel will discuss, “Emerging Technologies: Meeting Our Future.” Speakers include Julienne Greer, UT Arlington theater arts professor; Doug Roberts, chief technology officer at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History; and Kevin Grace of Rising Tide Initiative.
Free
Register for the event here.
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USICOC ANNUAL TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
Four Points by Sheraton Dallas Fort Worth, 1580 Point West Blvd., in Coppell
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The U.S. India Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual technology conference. The 2017 conference, “Entrepreneurs Teaching Entrepreneurs,” will bring together a lineup of investors and entrepreneurs from Fortune 5000 companies who will share their insights on what it takes to build the next great entrepreneurial idea. Keynote speakers are David Litman, CEO of Getaroom.com and founder of Hotels.com, and Lance Crosby, founder of SoftLayer and CEO of StackPath.
Tickets start at $75 and Dallas Innovators can receive $25 off by using the code USICOCCP17.
Register for the conference here.
SATURDAY, APRIL 29
THE THIRD ANNUAL PHILANTHROPARTY: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
Dallas Marriott City Center, 650 N. Pearl St., in Dallas
6 – 11 p.m.
Social Venture Partners Dallas’ third annual Philanthroparty is black-tie optional. The theme, “A Little Night Music,” brings hidden musical talents from the nonprofit community to the stage for a night of performances, dining, dancing, and celebration.
Tickets start at $125.
Go here for more information.
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THE DALLAS FESTIVAL OF IDEAS
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Section A, 650 S. Griffin St., in Dallas
This year, the festival has expanded with a partnership with the Dallas Book Festival to co-locate events in the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library and Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Panels and discussions featuring local and national speakers will focus on issues of social equity from five different “city” perspectives — the physical, healthy, cultural, educated, and entrepreneurial. The festival’s goal is to create a lasting, equitable impact for the city of Dallas and its citizens.
Go here for more information.
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2017 DALLAS BOOK FESTIVAL
J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young St., in Dallas
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
National Book Award Winner Andrew Solomon and authors Greg Iles, Eric Litwin, Kristen Radtke, and others headline the 2017 Dallas Book Festival, a daylong celebration of literature, arts, and culture.
There also will be storytelling for children, craft projects, and discussions ranging from sportswriting to Shakespeare.
Free
Find more information here.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3
LUNCH AND LEARN: TRINITY INNOVATION CORRIDOR FOR NORTH TEXAS
Greater Dallas Planning Council Headquarters, 909 Lake Carolyn Parkway, in Irving
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hear presenter Nan Ellin, dean of the College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Arlington, present on the Trinity Innovation Corridor for North Texas.
Free for GDPC members.
Find more information here.
SNEAK PEEKS
FRIDAY, MAY 5
USICOC ANNUAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE 2017
Communities Foundation of Texas, 5500 Caruth Haven Lane, in Dallas
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Women entrepreneurs and professionals can come together to network and learn from successful women. Speakers include: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson; Mona Charif, chief marketing officer, NTT DATA; Chandra Dhandapani, chief digital and technology officer, CBRE; Debjani Biswas, president, Coachieve LLC; Dr. Jaya Kumar, medical director, Medical City Denton.
Tickets range from $25 to $35.
Register and find more information here.
SATURDAY, MAY 6 – SUNDAY, MAY 7
COTTONWOOD ART FESTIVAL
Cottonwood Park, 1321 W. Belt Line Road, in Richardson
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
This semi-annual event features works from the nation’s top visual artists and has been a part of the Richardson community for more than 40 years. The festival takes place on the first full weekend in May and the first full weekend in October each year.
Free
Find more information here.
TUESDAY, MAY 9
GREATER DALLAS PLANNING COUNCIL ANNUAL LUNCHEON
Omni Hotel Dallas Convention Center, 555 S. Lamar St., in Dallas
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
David Preziosi, executive director of Preservation Dallas, will moderate a discussion about “A New Downtown Dallas: Reshaping Urbanism and Preserving History.” Panelists include Kourtny Garrett, CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc.; Adam Jones, team leader and principal, Merriman; and Rachel L. Roberts, director of branding and marketing, Centurion American Asset Management – The Statler.
Tickets are $75.
Register and find more information here.
SAVE THE DATE
YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THESE UPCOMING EVENTS
Fill your calendar with the most innovative events in Dallas. Whether you’re interested in Health Wildcatters Health Innovation Pitch Competition, Dallas Holocaust Museum’s Upstander Speaker Series, or Boxer Bowtie Club’s 1st Annual Dallas Gala, Dallas Innovates is here to provide you a guide for the who, what, and where of innovation in Dallas. Find events such as these and many, more here.
WHAT’S ON YOUR CALENDAR?
Know of a great event? Tell us about it here.
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R E A D N E X T
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The hybrid event in August will take place in person at SMU and virtually. The seventh annual Dallas Startup Week powered by Capital One is Dallas-Fort Worth's largest event focused on driving entrepreneurial success, economic impact, and innovation in the region.
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You'll find deadlines coming up for a new accelerator program; and many more opportunities.
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Five local winners received up to $200,000 in funding to activate their solutions throughout North Texas.
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"Together, we can build the workforce of the future—one that will attract and grow businesses, build equity, and sustain our city’s outstanding economic growth for years to come," Mayor Eric Johnson said on the report's release.
