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Programming/Meetups

GiG East

Gig East is Wilson’s home for technology and innovation networking. Our events focus around gigs – whether its conversation around our gigabit network, Greenlight, or creative conversations inspired by the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park. We bring eastern North Carolina together to explore next generation technology.

The history of Gig East traces back to 2016. In November, 2016, Greenlight sponsored its first Gig East thought-leadership event, featuring Blair Levin, known for serving at the FCC as Executive Director of the country’s first national broadband plan. His speech was titled “Make American Great — With Great Broadband.” In November 2017, Greenlight sponsored its second annual Gig East event featuring WRAL and Harvard Law professor Susan Crawford, who spoke on “Why Fiber?” In November 2018, Greenlight sponsored its third Gig East event, “The Future of Work Outside the Metro” featuring world renowned Gary Bolles, who is Chair for the Future of Work for Singularity University.

You can join us for our Quarterly meet ups and our annual technology summit, held in early May. Sign up for our digital newsletters to learn more about upcoming meetups.

RIoT Accelerator Program (RAP)

RIoT, the North Carolina-based economic development nonprofit, is working with early stage startups into their fourth cohort of the RIoT Accelerator Program (RAP), launching in Wilson, NC on February 2020.

Up and coming ventures from Eastern NC and beyond participate in a 12-week intensive business program where RAP heavily coaches’ companies through market validation, product development, and go to market strategy, and connects them to more than 75 business and technology advisors. The culminating RAP Wilson Pitch Night, where startups present their businesses on stage, will take place on May 7 as part of the Gig East Summit.

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Apply to Speak at Gig East

Have an idea to share? Apply to speak at a Gig East event.
All topics need to be related to the E.A.S.T. formula – Entrepreneurship, Art, Science, or Technology. We have three available opportunities for you to reach our members and the Wilson community.

  1. Gig East Gab: evening, quarterly, open mic TEDx style, speak for 3 min. Q&A for 2 min.
  2. Lunch and Learns: BYOL, speak on topic of choice for up to 30 min w/ Q&A for 10 min., quarterly
  3. Morning Coffee: potentially members only, Casual conversation for networking, share topic with members, no presentation necessary, quarterly

Before submitting please note available speaking opportunities are on a first-come, first-served basis. Each submission will be reviewed thoroughly. A Gig East representative will contact you with further information.

Name(Required)
Proposed Event you’d like to speak at

Events in February 2025

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February 14, 2025(1 event)

Coffee & Conversation

Date: February 14, 2025

Time: 10:00 am 11:00 am

Location: Gig East Exchange

💘 Coffee & Conversation: Valentine's Day Edition ☕❤️

Join us for a special Valentine’s Day edition of Coffee & Conversation at Gig East Exchange! Whether you're a member of our Exchange community or a local professional looking to connect, this is the perfect opportunity to network, collaborate, and share ideas over a fresh cup of coffee and Valentine's waffles.

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Time: 10:00 am
📍 Location: Gig East Exchange

Come sip, chat, snack, and grow your network!

February 15, 2025
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February 26, 2025(1 event)

Lunch & Learn: What is Gig East Smart Ag?

Date: February 26, 2025

Time: 12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Location: Gig East Exchange

Wilson has its very own Smart Ag testbed, but what does that mean and how will it help our community?

Join us for a Lunch & Learn to hear from Greg Dunko, Director of Strategy at RIoT, as he shares how the agricultural revolution is transforming farming practices. This is a free event with lunch included! Register here: https://forms.gle/iQkKKuHHE89tMocb7 

February 27, 2025
February 28, 2025
March 1, 2025
March 2, 2025

Events in February 2025

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
January 27, 2025
January 28, 2025
January 29, 2025
January 30, 2025
January 31, 2025
February 1, 2025
February 2, 2025
February 3, 2025
February 4, 2025
February 5, 2025
February 6, 2025
February 7, 2025
February 8, 2025
February 9, 2025
February 10, 2025
February 11, 2025
February 12, 2025
February 13, 2025

10:00 am: Coffee & Conversation

Coffee & Conversation

Date: February 14, 2025

Time: 10:00 am 11:00 am

Location: Gig East Exchange

💘 Coffee & Conversation: Valentine's Day Edition ☕❤️

Join us for a special Valentine’s Day edition of Coffee & Conversation at Gig East Exchange! Whether you're a member of our Exchange community or a local professional looking to connect, this is the perfect opportunity to network, collaborate, and share ideas over a fresh cup of coffee and Valentine's waffles.

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Time: 10:00 am
📍 Location: Gig East Exchange

Come sip, chat, snack, and grow your network!

February 15, 2025
February 16, 2025
February 17, 2025
February 18, 2025
February 19, 2025
February 20, 2025
February 21, 2025
February 22, 2025
February 23, 2025
February 24, 2025
February 25, 2025

12:00 pm: Lunch & Learn: What is Gig East Smart Ag?

Lunch & Learn: What is Gig East Smart Ag?

Date: February 26, 2025

Time: 12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Location: Gig East Exchange

Wilson has its very own Smart Ag testbed, but what does that mean and how will it help our community?

Join us for a Lunch & Learn to hear from Greg Dunko, Director of Strategy at RIoT, as he shares how the agricultural revolution is transforming farming practices. This is a free event with lunch included! Register here: https://forms.gle/iQkKKuHHE89tMocb7 

February 27, 2025
February 28, 2025
March 1, 2025
March 2, 2025

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