Engage Charlotte Blog

Having recently completed the final assignments for the MBA Program at Wake Forest Schools of Business, I had a chance last week (while on a much needed vacation) to reflect on the last two years. I was fortunate enough to participate in the two-year Charlotte Evening Program that Wake Forest offers through its facility in SouthPark. My reflections last week included the thought that we are extremely fortunate to live in Charlotte, a place where higher education is at our fingertips. We have a tremendous wealth of educational facilities in and around Charlotte.

As the economy has become rather stagnant over the last few years, many young professionals have taken the chance to improve their resumes or seek opportunities for higher education. Whether that choice includes a full-time or part-time program, or simply some occasional training, it is important that we all seek continually to better ourselves. Not only does continued learning benefit us as individuals, but also helps to improve our community.

Formal education is available through local institutions such as UNC Charlotte and Queen’s University as well as through satellite programs offered by Wake Forest University and others. Wake Forest actually drives professors down to Charlotte from Winston Salem to teach courses in their Evening and Saturday MBA Programs. Informal education is also available through our library resources and many trade associations.

A wealth of opportunities is available to all of us. I encourage you to check them out.

While football season is just days away from kicking off (the Panthers play their first home preseason game on August 21 against the Jets), city leadership is focused on quarterbacking its way to host an unprecedented event for Charlotte – the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Politics aside, you have to admit locking down the bid would be a monumental step for the Queen City to promote itself to the rest of the nation. Hosting the event would mean national attention, and many are projecting it could bring an economic impact of $120-200 million to the region. Besides all the glamour, media attention and money the DNC would bring to the city, hosting the event would have substantial downsides too – thousands of visitors, heightened security, full hotel rooms, closed streets, etc. In fact, based on the 2008 convention in Denver, it’s estimated that Charlotte would need to fork over $40-45 million to host the event. Nonetheless, city leaders have decided the benefits outweigh the costs, and a majority of North Carolinians agree – 58 percent are in favor of hosting the event according to a poll conducted by Public Policy Polling published last week. We could debate the pros and cons and the means by which the city will obtain the funds to host the event, but instead let’s focus on the impact it could have for young professionals.

A certain dream for politically active young professional Dems, the convention would serve up the utmost opportunity to campaign and participate directly in the political process. On the flip side, it presents quite an opportunity for local young professional Republicans to debate the issues in front of gobs of media outlets from the across the country. But more importantly, it will give our city a national brand – something concrete they can think of when they think “Charlotte.” We are already one of the fastest growing cities among young professionals looking to relocate (especially those escaping the cold in Ohio, western Pennsylvania and Buffalo – you know who you are). The recession has slowed the growth, but a spotlight on our region exhibiting all that the city has to offer and a recovered economy by 2012 (hopefully) will reverse that trend. I think there are too many who don’t know about Charlotte and all she brings to the table – the culture, the sophisticated job market, the incredible infrastructure, her beauty and wonderful location between the mountains and coast, and the first class restaurants and nightlife options. Why not pull back the curtain and show our peers why we live in Charlotte and, most of all, why we love Charlotte?

We should all know the outcome in the next couple of months. Charlotte is competing with Cleveland, St. Louis and Minneapolis as finalists for the bid. The GOP has already selected Tampa as its choice for hosting the RNC, a decision announced last week. Looks like it could be a big summer in 2012 for the Southeast! I’m interested in hearing your thoughts about the DNC bid and whether you think it’s a good idea.

Many people get a kick out of trying something new and exciting. Well how about something new but old as well? Now even though the movie may have been released before your time, many of us have watched the classic scene in Grease where Danny and Sandi go to the local drive-in movie theater for a date. Well how many of you know we have at least three drive-in movie theaters in our own backyard? They're located close to Charlotte in the cities of Albemarle, Belmont and Bessemer City. Having been to two of these I can say that it is always a great experience. One of the best things about the drive-in is that it is much cheaper than going to the regular theater, and you get to see two new movies!

Now it goes without saying that many of us have probably been looking for cheaper forms of entertainment recently given the economy. A trip to the drive-in just for the movies will cost you $7 or less per person. Most indoor theaters cost $10 on the weekend and only show one film. Most of the time when I go to the theater I try not to look at the concessions stand, so I’m not tempted to buy something. The prices have gotten so high. The drive-in concessions are usually much more reasonably priced.

The movies being shown usually change from week to week. The best way I’ve found to see what is playing is to go to the theaters' websites after a Wednesday to see if the information has been updated for the weekend. You can also call the number listed and ask, and often times they give the information on the answering machine or voicemail. If you live in an area close enough to one of the theaters the local newspapers will usually post what is playing. The first movie begins around 9 p.m., once it is dark enough. However, many people will come earlier to relax, hang out and enjoy the nice weather. On any given night you’ll see multiple forms of footballs being thrown, cornhole bags being tossed, and whatever else people can think to bring. The drive-in is a great way to spend a Friday or Saturday evening with friends and loved ones. So feel free to go old school some time!

A few weeks ago, Chad posted about the “play” part of Charlotte. He left out one of my personal favorites: the Whitewater Center.

If you’re the type of young professional who is in a suit by day and in workout clothes by night, yet still have not gone to the Whitewater Center, stop what you’re doing. Go. Now. Call in sick.

And if you’re the type of young professional who likes chilling outside with a beer listening to live music, yet still have not gone to the Whitewater Center, stop what you’re doing. Go. Now. Call in sick.

And finally, if you’re the type of young professional who is competitive and loves a good challenge, yet still have not gone to the Whitewater Center, stop what you’re doing. Go. Now. Call in sick.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. It’s so far out there. I live in Uptown/Ballantyne/University Area, and that’s just way too far to drive. And chances are if you’re saying that, you’re a true Charlottean. So, true Charlottean, catch a ride from one of us that doesn’t mind a commute. But by all means, go!

The glory of the Whitewater Center is that there is truly something for everyone. From a zip line to a climbing wall, from trails to run or bike on to the Captain Obvious whitewater to raft or kayak on. Or if you’re just one of those people like me that likes to act like you’re outdoorsy, on Thursday nights there’s a live band and beer. Think Alive After Five, just with shorts and a t-shirt instead of business clothes. The beauty is that you can come straight from the gym and fit right in. Some will be there for just the beer and band, others will have just come off the trails or water and will be dripping wet.

To top it all off, if you’re a fan of the TV show Wipeout you can watch it live and in action as you see people navigate the rapids both successfully and ... er ... unsuccessfully. Seriously. What could be better?!

Details concerning costs, passes, and equipment needed can be found at www.usnwc.org.

I can’t wait to get on the road again! Not only does Charlotte have a lot to offer young professionals, but so does the region. Let’s face it – no matter how much we love Charlotte, we could all use a weekend getaway. For those young professionals who are new to Charlotte, did you know that you’re within driving distance of the mountains, the beach and seven other states? Some of what I consider the more notable weekend getaways are below with a short ditty about each.

• Asheville, N.C. - Asheville is that type of unique, special place that lingers sweetly in your mind and memories for years to come. The city's rich architectural legacy with its mix of Art Deco, Beaux Arts and Neoclassical styles is the perfect retro-urban backdrop to the edgy energy that emanates from the locally owned shops and art galleries, distinctive restaurants and exciting entertainment venues.
• Boone, N.C. - You’ll find exciting attractions in Boone and all around the high vountry. The region is the home of several firsts: North Carolina’s original family theme park, Tweetsie Railroad; the state's very first golf course, Linville Golf Club; the state’s oldest travel attraction, the Blowing Rock; the state’s only public caverns, Linville Caverns; the nation's oldest Revolutionary War drama, Horn in the West; and the world’s first privately-owned biosphere reserve, Grandfather Mountain.
• Chattanooga, Tenn. - Chattanooga offers an incredible combination of breathtaking scenic beauty with a newly revitalized riverfront that includes a 13-mile paved Riverwalk scattered with attractions, parks, restaurants and plenty of boating options, outdoor adventures, rich history, numerous accommodations, a thriving arts scene, shopping and many annual events that provide plenty of year-round fun.
• Wilmington, N.C. - The beautiful port city of Wilmington provides a perfect destination for those who love the excitement of the city and the laid-back atmosphere of the coastal south. The best of both worlds, Wilmington offers hundreds of options for visitors to get to know the beautiful area.
• Outer Banks, N.C. - The Outer Banks, perhaps one of North Carolina's most visited coastal communities, are 90 miles of flawless landscape and effortless beauty. For decades the Outer Banks were remote, with few inhabitants who made their living by the sea; today the islands are a popular tourist spot linked by ferries and bridges.
• Charleston, S.C. - The Charleston Market draws many thousands of tourists a year, and Charleston is a major tourist destination with all one would expect of the upscale historic city. The city is well-known for its grand live oaks draped with Spanish moss, the Cabbage Palmetto (the state tree of South Carolina), cascading window boxes bursting with color, wrought iron gates keeping secret gardens in courtyard allies, and Rainbow Row, a community along the waterfront with a string of beautiful, historic pastel-colored homes.
• Savannah, Ga. - Located in the heart of coastal Georgia's lowcountry, Savannah is a city of rare natural beauty – of azaleas in bloom and stately oaks draped with Spanish moss. These landscapes have been lovingly enhanced by two centuries of manmade splendor, from her distinctive park-like squares and cobblestone streets to the magnificent architecture of her storied antebellum homes and churches.

Personally, I love Charlotte. But I love it even more when I’m driving back on I-77 or I-85 after a nice relaxing weekend elsewhere. What more could you want from a city? Charlotte, N.C., is a great place for young professionals to live, work and play and is close to so many relaxing places when you need that quick weekend away.