CAPACITYCON
CAPACITYCON: WE DON'T WAIT. WE WORK.
CapacityCon is a high-impact conference designed for Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs), economic developers, cities, counties, banks, and business leaders committed to strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
This one-day event, happening Monday, January 26, 2026, will focus on collaboration, funding strategies, marketing innovation, and ecosystem mapping to drive sustainable business growth.
Entrepreneurs don’t thrive in isolation—they succeed with the right support, resources, and connections.
That’s where CapacityCon comes in. This event will equip ESOs, nonprofits, CDFIs, banks, economic development professionals, business service providers, and local governments with actionable strategies to enhance their impact and support businesses effectively.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Expert-Led Sessions: Learn from industry leaders and gain insights into the latest strategies for capacity building and organizational efficiency.
-Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals throughout the state and expand your network to foster collaboration and support.
-Hands-On Workshops: Participate in interactive sessions designed to provide practical, actionable plans that you can implement right away.
-Resource-Rich Environment: Access a wealth of resources, including a comprehensive CapacityCon manual, to guide your organization's growth and development.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Strategic Planning: Understand and apply advanced planning techniques to streamline operations and enhance organizational focus.
2. Cost Efficiency: Learn innovative ways to save money and optimize resources within your organization.
3. Productivity Enhancement: Discover tools and methods to increase productivity and achieve more with less effort.
4. Collaborative Growth: Develop strategies for regional collaboration and capacity building to benefit your community.
5. Actionable Implementation: Leave with a personalized action plan that you can immediately implement to drive results within your organization.
Join us at CapacityCon and take the next step in transforming your organization's efficiency and impact. Register now and start building a more capable and productive future for your business and region.
AGENDA
Date: January 26, 206
Location: E. Harvey Estes Center 1121 Slater Road, Durham, NC 27703
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Registration & Breakfast
Kick off the day with networking over breakfast! Connect with fellow attendees, speakers, and business leaders as we prepare for a day of learning, collaboration, and action.
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Fireside Chat
Hosted by Chisa Pennix-Brown, this engaging conversation will explore the vital role of Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) in creating connected and sustainable business ecosystems. Learn how local, regional, and national collaboration can drive economic growth and business success.
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Break
Recharge and get ready for the next interactive session.
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM | Calendar Collision
This is the time for you to bring out your calendars and share what you have coming up that is already planned for 2026. Dates are up, venues are booked, and registration is ready. This exercise will provide us with a real community calendar of events and allow us to see what is happening in real time.
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM | The Questions
Led by LaShon Harley This engaging session will pose a series of questions that will get you thinking about how you and your organization show up in the ecosystem and find pathways for you to think more collaboratively.
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Mental Wealth Break
Take a moment to network and refresh before diving into funding strategies.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Meet Your Metrics & Funding Strategies
Led by La-Tasha Best-Gaddy
This powerful session will help ESOs and entrepreneurs define success metrics, identify funding sources, and create sustainable growth strategies. Learn from top experts how to align your business goals with financial opportunities, understand what funders look for, and position yourself for financial sustainability. This session will also highlight how the Give It Get It Membership helps business owners track their progress, access funding resources, and build meaningful business connections.
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM | Give It Get It Lunch
A unique lunch experience focused on mental wellness for entrepreneurs and business leaders. Enjoy a delicious meal while engaging in conversations about how you can Give It & Get It for your organization or business.
1:15 PM – 3:15 PM | 90 Day Focus: Marketing & Collaboration
Led by Chisa Pennix-Brown, this hands-on workshop will help you develop a 90-day action plan for marketing and collaboration. Learn how to leverage partnerships, streamline content, and use AI-driven marketing strategies to elevate your brand and increase engagement.
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM | Wrap-Up & Feedback
A chance to reflect, share key takeaways, and provide feedback on the day’s sessions. Walk away with actionable insights, new connections, and a clear strategy to implement in your organization or business.
Chisa is the Chief Curator of Give It To The People, a business service organization that empowers BIPOC and women-owned businesses nationwide through curated events like the BLK BIZ Summit.She has a commitment to entrepreneurial mental wealth and business growth where she blends selfcare and financial success strategies, sharing insights on her podcasts, Give It To The People and Real Ass Affirmations. Chisa's book, The 90 Day Focus: Your Action Plan for Success, provides entrepreneurs with actionable steps to achieve their goals.
La-Tasha has over 20 years of experience in the Accounting, Insurance, Financial Services, and NonProfit Industry Sectors. She is a guest instructor at various North Carolina Community College Small Business Centers. She is the Chief Strategist of Infinity Bridges, Inc, a consulting firm that specializes in general accounting, training and strategic facilitation.
LaShon is The Lead Igniter of My Being & Becoming. She has held several roles from A to T during her 20+ years of experience in the entrepreneurship and business ownership industry. She works with clients to illuminate their ideas, dreams, and visions into being as they move onto the right pathway to elevation in the future.
TELL YOUR BOSS WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND!
Need Approval to Attend CapacityCon? Download Our Letter for Your Boss!
Are you excited to attend CapacityCon 2026 but need your employer’s support? We’re here to help! We’ve created a downloadable letter explaining the benefits of attending CapacityCon, tailored just for your boss. This letter highlights how CapacityCon can boost productivity, enhance strategic planning, and provide direct resources that will benefit your role and your entire organization.
HOST HOTEL
CAPACITYCON LODGING
Lodging for this event can be found at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Research Triangle Park.
Make use of convenient amenities, which include concierge services and a television in a common area. Guests can get around on the complimentary shuttle, which operates within 5 mi.
Satisfy your appetite at Tony Roma's, a family restaurant which features a bar/lounge. Dining is also available at the coffee shop/cafe. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are served on weekdays from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and on weekends from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary (available on request).
Stay in one of 125 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with premium bedding with complimentary WIFI. Private bathrooms have rainfall showerheads and complimentary toiletries.