Greensboro NC Community Profile by Townsquare Publications, LLC

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ e

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Greetings

This is a Village Profile® Publication created and produced for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce 342 North Elm Street • Greensboro, NC 27401 Phone: (336) 387-8300 • Fax: (336) 275-9299 Website: www.greensborochamber.com Email: gcc@greensboro.org

• From the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and the Guilford Merchants Association 4

Community Introduction

• Greensboro: A Place to Fall In Love 4

History • A Brief History of Greensboro 6

Location & Transportation

Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The Chamber and VillageProfile.com® assume no responsibility for misinformation. Please contact the Chamber with any additions or corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the Chamber and VillageProfile.com® is prohibited.

• Getting Around Greensboro 7 • A Place on the Move 8

Business & Industry

• A Place for Collaboration 9 • Bernard Robinson & Company; Reflective of the Strength of the Triad 12 • Local Company Goes Green & International 14 • Inward, Outward, Forward: VF Corporation Celebrates Employees and the Community. For Triad job seekers, this Fortune 500 apparel and footwear company is the right fit. 16

Education • A Place to Learn 18

Higher Education • A Place for Knowledge 19 • Spotlight on Guilford College 20

This publication is printed with eco-friendly criteria including use of 30% post consumer recycled content paper and soy based inks.

Arts & Culture

• A Place to Discover 22 • The Greensboro Science Center 23 • International Civil Rights Center & Museum 25

Recreation

• A Place to Play 26 • The Ice House 29 • A Place to Run, Bike, Kick & Swim 30

Dining • A Place to Eat, Drink & Be Merry 31

Healthcare

• A Place to Heal 33 • Triad Care 34 2

e www.greensborochamber.com

CEO/President Daniel M. Nugara Executive Vice President Joseph C. Nugara, Sr. Director of Business Operations Michael D. Nugara Vice President Gordy Swinehart Project Sales Manager Barbara Highbargin Project Coordinator Stefanie Mikutis Director of Production Joseph C. Nugara, Jr. Production Manager Nick Olah Graphic Designer Melissa Hernandez Graphic Production Stacey R. Cordero Directories Coordinator Michael Sumrak Ad Coordinator Director Stefanie Mikutis Ad Design Manager Kerri Reaves Editorial contributed by Rosemary Kenerly and David Marshall Photos contributed by Carol Hunter and Julie Knight

Senior Living • A Place to Enjoy Your Golden Years 35

Worship • A Place to Pray 36

Index of Advertisers • 37

Where Value Meets Excellence!

Best Western Plus Greensboro Airport 7800 National Service Road Greensboro, NC 27409 336-454-0333 www.bestwestern.com/prop_34125

Hampton Inn Greensboro East 903 Knox Road McLeansville, NC 27301 336-544-3333 www.greensboroeastnc.hamptoninn.com

Comfort Inn Wendover Plaza 1103 Lanada Road Greensboro, NC 27407 336-297-1055 www.comfortinn.com/hotel/nc523

Best Western Plus Windsor Suites 2006 Veasley Street Greensboro, NC 27407 336-294-9100 www.bestwestern.com/prop_34111

Your Journey For A Great Hotel Ends Here! GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ e

From the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and the Guilford Merchants Association

GREETINGS

elcome to Greensboro, North Carolina, where business, education, culture and recreation thrive! We are excited to present “Greensboro Lifestyle,” designed to highlight some of Greensboro’s unique assets. Although separate organizations, The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and the Guilford Merchants Association recognize and embrace the power of collaboration when it comes to making Greensboro an even better place to live.

From our strategic location at the intersection of several interstates and major highways, to our vibrant downtown scene, to our well-deserved reputation as “Tournament Town,” Greensboro offers visitors and residents alike plenty to do… and it’s easy to get here! Our city is a center for business where many world-renowned companies have major operations. With seven colleges and universities within city limits, Greensboro is a college town. In an increasingly knowledge-based, global economy, Greensboro is well positioned with its higher education assets. To extend the impact of these assets, Opportunity Greensboro, a business and collegiate partnership, was created. Opportunity Greensboro works to create and implement results-oriented programs and activities to enable a competitive advantage for business growth and community prosperity. Add to that a growing research park and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, and you have a city that is poised for present and future success. Greensboro offers a fantastic quality of life for all, and with all that Greensboro has to offer, it is easy to love living and working in Greensboro!

Deborah Hooper President Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

Mark Prince President/CEO Guilford Merchants Association

Warm Regards,

COMMUNITY INTRODUCTION

Greensboro: A Place to Fall In Love oms and dads swing their children on a playground; college students dance under flashing lights of downtown clubs; tigers nuzzle under the trees of the Science Center; ACC fans hug in celebration watching a game at the Coliseum; grandparents stroll hand in hand along the Greenway. There’s a lot to love about Greensboro.

A group of passionate Greensboro residents created Love Greensboro to unite people around all the wonderful aspects of the city. It’s about appreciating what’s here. The group wants to teach people to love where they’re from, to know what resources are available and promote area activities. It’s about the importance of celebrating pride of place, and building a strong, lasting sense of community. The second part of the vision is to market Greensboro. The goal is to promote Greensboro to the people who live here. Then as Greensboro grows, reach out on a regional and national level to advertise what the city has to offer, from the small independent businesses to the large corporations that call Greensboro “home.” The group invites everyone to get involved. You can find them by searching Love Greensboro on Facebook, or visiting the website at www.lovegreensboro.com. • 4

e www.greensborochamber.com

Greensboro Firsts • Guilford Battleground, first national park for a

Revolutionary War site • Mt. Hecla, the state’s first steam-powered cotton mill • Guilford College, a state first in coeducation • Greensboro College, first state chartered college for

women • Blandwood, oldest Italianate style mansion in the

nation • Overseas Replacement Depot, only WWII military

base inside a city’s limits • WFMY, state’s first TV station with a live broadcast

Newbridge Bank Park, Greensboro, NC

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

HISTORY

A Brief History of Greensboro By Linda Evans, Greensboro Historical Museum

General Green Statue, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

reensboro has many extraordinary storylines. Our modern city of nearly 135 square miles and 275,000 people resounds with stories of the people who have shaped our community for thousands of years. As you travel through Greensboro today, I encourage you to think differently about your journey and your destination. Imagine …

Diverse origins. Greensboro had a well-established legacy before its founding. Native American people had hunted, camped and traded here for centuries, and by the late 1600s, members of the Saura and Keyauwee tribes called this region home. During the 1700s, newcomers of Scots-Irish, German and Quaker heritage arrived with land deeds in hand and the notion that they could better their lives. Guilford County, then Guilford Courthouse. In 1771 the state created Guilford County. Just 10 years later, the Revolutionary War was fought on this landscape, when General Nathanael Greene led American troops against British forces led by Lord Cornwallis. It was a brief encounter, around two hours, but one with lasting consequences. Greene’s forces retreated first from the field, but not before inflicting heavy casualties. Cornwallis was on his heels, so to speak, and surrendered to George Washington before the year was out.

Greene, then Greensborough, then Greensboro. The tiny community of Guilford Courthouse lost out when voters approved moving the county seat to a more central location. Commissioners bought 42 acres of land for $98, after which a surveyor plotted 14 blocks of lots for sale. The idea to honor Nathanael Greene was an easy one, and in 1808 Greensborough was established. Officially chartered as a city in 1875, and by the 1890s it was known by everyone as Greensboro.

to all. An informal network of people, commonly called the Underground Railroad, developed in Guilford County. They offered safe haven and spoke against human bondage. When slavery ended in 1865, newly freed men and women began a community called Warnersville. Nearly 100 years later, four NC A&T freshmen sat down at a downtown lunch counter and asked to be served along with white customers. The protest that began in Greensboro on February 1, 1960 stood out because students led the way, and their moral courage sparked change across the South. Greensboro, then Gate City. You can get there from here, and it’s all thanks to the railroad, which arrived in the 1850s. Farmers and nurseries could ship their produce. Stores could receive wares. Companies could receive supplies and ship out finished products. Lindley Nursery, Vick Chemical, Cone Mills, Pomona Terra Cotta, Odell Hardware and Hudson Overalls are just a few of the businesses that flourished thanks to rail connections. By the 1890s, Greensboro had a new nickname, Gate City, thanks to those train tracks.

Greensboro Historical Museum, Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC

Freedom, sometimes deferred, always pursued. For 20 percent of the people who lived here before 1865 the freedom fought for in the Revolutionary War did not apply. Enslaved African Americans were considered property, without rights that we take for granted. Yet they always sought to have control over their lives and improve their circumstances, and hoped that the U.S. Constitution would apply

Streetscape, then a skyline. Greensborough’s first homes lined six streets near a central courthouse square, at an intersection we know as Elm and Market. Fast forward 100 years, to the early 1920s, when a $2.5 million skyscraper added a touch of beauty to our skyline, first as Jefferson Standard Life Insurance headquarters, now a branch of Lincoln Financial. By the millennium, our downtown skyline had multiplied at least fourfold. Hundreds, then thousands, and now hundreds of thousands. The first town census, taken in 1829, counted not quite 500, a number that grew to about 1,500 by 1860. Expanding the city limits and welcoming newcomers have multiplied the figures, from 10,000 at the beginning of the 20th century, then breaking the 100,000 mark by 1960, and in a recent count, home to over 275,000. We have always been a city of newcomers, and since the 1980s, home to immigrants and refugees from around the globe. As you’re strolling down a sidewalk, enjoying a greenway path or park, watching the scenery from a bus, or driving along the city streets, think differently. Think about all the journeys that came before. And help us imagine what’s ahead. • 6

e www.greensborochamber.com

LOCATION & TRANSPORTATION

Getting Around Greensboro reensboro has long been known as the “Gate City” due to its strategic positioning as a southeast transportation hub. The same can be said for its strong local public transportation options.

Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA), established in 1991 serves the bustling population with bus services seven days a week. Most of the 16 routes and connectors radiate from a central transfer center located at the historic J. Douglas Galyon Depot, a 1920s-era railway station refurbished in 2003 for multi-modal transportation use. A fleet of over 50 buses includes the latest diesel-electric hybrids, capable of transporting

Douglas Gaiyon Depot, Greensboro, NC

riders in environmentally-efficient comfort on less fuel. GTA also offers Higher Education Area Transit Services, an express bus service increasing mobility options for the area’s college students by connecting campuses with select destinations and the entire GTA system. In the instance that you would ever desire to leave the Gate City, the Depot offers connections with regional transportation provider PART Express, statewide service with Carolina Trailways, and national transportation service with Greyhound and Amtrak. For more about GTA and Greensboro transportation options, visit the GTA website at ridegta.com. •

Greensboro Transit Authority Your connection for school, employment, shopping, entertainment and much more! 15 Daily Routes • Over 1,100 Bus Stops

One Way to Move in Greensboro 336-335-6499 • www.ridegta.com Plan your trip on GTA using Google Transit on your mobile device or desktop! GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

LOCATION & TRANSPORTATION

A Place on the Move The Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) reensboro is easy to navigate by foot, bike, car or bus. The Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) provides regional transportation options throughout the 10county Piedmont Triad region. PART understands that clean air and environmental stewardship are vital components of a healthy community.

Commuter options such as PART’s Regional Express bus service, car and van pool programs, Buddy-Rides, bike-to-work and telecommuting resources give residents of the Triad the transportation choices to live more sustainably and more economically. For rider convenience, PART

e www.greensborochamber.com

provides 12 regional Express bus routes serving Guilford, Forsyth, Davidson, Randolph, Davie, Surry and Stokes counties. General fares for urban routes are $2.40 one way and $3.00 one way for the rural county routes. Senior, student and disabled rider fares are half price. Children under 43” tall ride for free with an adult. Transfers between PART buses or shuttles are free (excluding PART Connections Route 4). PART’s continued work with Triad Air Awareness helps to reach thousands of residents with air quality information, and aids the public in understanding the link between clean air and our transportation choices. Consider different commuting options, make a choice for clean air, and save money by sharing the ride. To learn more about commuting options and to view complete service and schedule information visit the PART website at www.partnc.org or call 336-883-PART (7278). •

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

A Place for Collaboration A Network of Organizations Make Greensboro a Place Where Businesses Thrive n 2012, Honda Aircraft Company broke ground on a $20 million maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport; Lenovo announced it would be adding 115 manufacturing jobs; Piedmont Pharmaceuticals expanded its operations and doubled its workforce, and after just opening its operations center here in 2011, LF USA continues to grow, adding 95 jobs and leasing additional space. You might expect a single organization to try to take credit for these big headlines. But in Greensboro, the expectation is collaboration: organizations working in a coordinated effort to ensure that Greensboro is an attractive place to live, work and play.

Greensboro Partnership In 2005 three member organizations combined their efforts to create, expand and attract business while advancing the quality of life in Greensboro. The Greensboro Partnership’s member organizations include Action Greensboro, the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance (GEDA) and the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, and together with the City of Greensboro, Guilford County, and the region’s business and education

leaders, these organizations view collaboration as the key to transforming our region to a knowledge-based economy that attracts new jobs. The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce helps businesses grow through networking events and forums, business and leadership education, and advocacy initiatives focused on entrepreneurship, K-12 education and workforce development. In addition, the Chamber’s Small Business Academy offers a series of targeted learning programs such as the Sales and Marketing Series, People Make a Difference, Tech Thursdays and the Health Care Service Sumits. The Chamber’s focus on workforce development initiatives are designed to connect industry with education, in order to fulfill the future job requirements in the Triad region. The Greensboro Economic Development Alliance works to recruit business and industry to the greater Greensboro region, as well as working with existing companies as they prepare to grow and expand in the Triad. GEDA’s strategic plan focuses on targeted industry clusters: Aviation, Life Sciences, Supply Chain & Logistics, Innovative

Manufacturing and Specialized Business Services. In recent years, GEDA has been successful in helping numerous new companies locate, and expand their businesses in Greensboro, including Honda Aircraft Company’s world headquarters, a regional FedEx air and ground hub, a Lenovo manufacturing facility that is bringing PC manufacturing back to the United States and the expansion of Proctor and Gamble’s manufacturing facilities, to name a few. The many economic projects that GEDA helps to bring to life provide the catalyst for job creation and growth in Greensboro. Action Greensboro, a nonprofit organization of foundations and the business community, pursues its mission to build a stronger economy through creativity and innovation by means of projects that enhance business recruitment and community vitality in Greensboro. Since being founded in 2001, one highly-visible focus has been the center city. Action Greensboro raised $15 million to build NewBridge Bank Park, Greensboro’s Class A South Atlantic League baseball stadium, which opened in April 2005.

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

Combined, the member organizations of the Greensboro Partnership help to recruit and expand businesses, focus on their success by ensuring they are strategically connected within the community, and ensure that the quality of life continues to improve for residents of Greensboro. The Greensboro Partnership is committed to make greater Greensboro an even better place to learn, earn, and live.

Guilford Merchants Association For more than 100 years, the Guilford Merchants Association (GMA) has placed an emphasis on training and development, marketing support and networking opportunities for area businesses. Six times per year, GMA produces Workplace Workshop programs, bringing in top local, regional and national speakers covering topics such as customer service, sales and conflict resolution. The Association’s goal is to assist members and the business community at large to grow and prosper.

The Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship This small business incubator has supported small businesses for 25 years and has an outstanding record of graduating new businesses into thriving, fully-operational enterprises. Accepted start-ups enjoy below market rent, free or reduced rate advisory services, and support in their beautiful 60,000square-foot newly renovated space near downtown Greensboro.

Residential & Commercial Call for Estimate

336-549-0854 www.2jpainting.com

Painting • Carpentry Backsplashes • Pressure Washing Gutter Clean-Out 10

e www.greensborochamber.com

In 2006, after four years of planning and construction, at a cost of $12 million, Action Greensboro opened Center City Park in the block of North Elm Street Exercise in the Park, downtown Greens boro at Friendly Avenue. Since then, almost 700,000 people have Greensboro is truly the “Gate City,” enjoyed the music performances, located in the heart of North movies on the lawn and fitness Carolina. With Piedmont Triad classes in the Park, all offered at International Airport, FedEx major no cost. air and ground cargo hubs, a web of Currently Action Greensboro, in interstates and railroad pathways, it partnership with the City of is an ideal place to establish a Greensboro, has begun constructing business and distribute products. a four-mile greenway to surround As a pivotal part of the Triad, the center city. The Downtown Greensboro abounds with Greenway features public art pieces, opportunities for small and large both large and small, by both North businesses to gain a competitive Carolina and national artists. The edge. • Downtown Greenway has a target completion date of 2018.

Your Leading Equipment & Event Source in the Triad EVENT RENTALS

• Tents • Tables • Chairs • Linens • China • Staging • Bounce Houses • Concession Items & Much More!

EQUIPMENT RENTALS

• Landscaping • Aerial Lifts • Plumbing • Home Improvement • Floor Care • Construction

214 Stage Coach Trail • Greensboro, NC 27409

336.852.0881 GrandRentalTriad.com GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Bernard Robinson & Company Reflective of the Strength of the Triad he Triad has maintained a trajectory of managed growth, sustainable over time, which has contributed to the health and diversity of our area. One reliable hallmark of a stable, thriving community is the measured success of the businesses within it. Greensboro and the

“Clients associate Bernard Robinson & Company with quality and sincerity.” greater Triad have no shortage of those success stories to share. Bernard Robinson & Company is one such success story. As the largest Triad-based public accounting firm, celebrating their 65th year as a pillar of the community, the firm has been providing certified public accounting and business advisory services to companies nationally since 1947.

e www.greensborochamber.com

Dan Hayes, Partner, has been with the firm since 1988. He reflects, “Some things have changed and others have stayed the same. While the makeup of the greater Triad area has moved from being largely based on textiles, tobacco, and furniture to one that is expanding into aviation, innovative manufacturing, life sciences, specialized business services and supply chain and logistics, the relationship between the CPA and client remains the same. As the world becomes increasingly complex, the consultative role the CPA performs for his or her client is that much more critical. Maintaining technical expertise and industry depth is a continuous process.” Proud to still be the trusted advisors for the third generation of their first, second and third clients, Hayes goes on to say, “Our ability to attract and retain the best and the brightest talent while maintaining a culture of servitude has been key to the firm’s longevity and growth. Clients associate Bernard Robinson & Company with quality and sincerity.” Hayes adds, “The secret to our success is basic, but critically important. When you assemble a group of highly intelligent, creative, solutions-oriented professionals with a sincere

desire to treat others in the manner they would want to be treated, great things happen. We consider our clients and colleagues at the firm our family. We earnestly care about all facets of their success and feel honored to play an integral advisory role in helping them reach and exceed their goals.” Lory Kelley, Partner, states, “As with the rest of the region, country and world, our clients have been challenged to do more with less while identifying opportunities for innovation and savings. In our trusted advisor role, we are constantly vigilant in helping our clients seize opportunities as we stay on top of industry developments. For example, through the North Carolina Jobs Credit, Research and Development Credit and other state and federal credits, we are able to help clients maximize their cash flow through tax deductions. In partnership with our clients, we are there with them step-by-step discerning the best solutions for their particular set of circumstances. Their success is our success. The double digit organic growth we have averaged over the past five years, during a period when many CPA firms were retracting, is a testament to this.”

Gary Hahn, CPA, Partner, remarks, “It has been exciting to see the growth in our firm and the greater Triad. From my office window I see the signs of growth in Greensboro with a multi-use development led by one of our clients coming out of the ground and expanding every day. Since I joined the firm, I have led the planning and execution of three office expansions, including the opening of a Winston-Salem Office. With our office now at capacity, we are at another major decision point regarding space. Closing in on close to

“The secret to our success is basic, but critically important.

100 people with over half of our firm CPAs, Bernard Robinson shows no signs of stopping. We come to work every day with the intent to exceed client expectations. We feel our growth is a direct indicator of our ability to do just that. Ultimately, this ability to be successful in our role as trusted advisor is what provides us with the deep satisfaction of knowing our efforts were fruitful. It is also what will ensure that Bernard Robinson & Company will be serving clients for another 65 years and beyond.” •

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Local Company Goes Green & International Columbia Forest Products Shows a Commitment to Community olumbia Forest Products, founded in 1957 in Klamath, OR, is North Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest manufacturer of plywood and hardwood veneer products. The veneers finish cabinets, furniture and office fixtures are sold all over the world. This employee-owned and operated company made Greensboro, NC home to its corporate office in 2008.

As a company, Columbia Forest Products seeks to improve communities, and asks its employee to do the same. Employees are given one paid day per year to volunteer at a local charity near and dear to their hearts. In Greensboro, many employees use that day to help build a home with Habitat for Humanity, an organization with close ties to the company. Brad Thompson, CEO of Columbia Forest Products, sits on the board of Habitat for Humanity as Chair of Finance. In this position he has been able to strengthen the financial base of Habitat for Humanity with a unique program that Habitat for Humanity has been able to expand to a global level. This program started with a new product called Pure Bond. Pure Bond is a formaldehyde free process of making hardwood. Pure Bond replaces the urea formaldehyde with a soy-based adhesive, which is cost competitive, and better for the air we breathe.

e www.greensborochamber.com

In 2009, the EPA reported Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. They also said that the air we breathe indoors can be up to five times more polluted than outside air. Volition organic compounds (VOCs) are a leading contributor of indoor pollution. These compounds become gasses from liquid and solid contributors in the buildings. Contributing factors can include paints, stored chemicals and adhesives in products used in the building. These VOCs can cause health problems including kidney and liver damage, central nervous system damage and cancer. Because of the health problems associated with VOCs, Habitat for Humanity was taking a careful look at the materials used in building their homes. Since their goal was to make the homes as air tight and green as possible, adhesives made with formaldehyde would be a significant problem. At the same time Columbia Forest Products was looking for locations to showcase their new product Pure Bond. Columbia Forest Products began donating the cabinetry for all Habitat Homes build in the Triad. This gave Habitat for Humanity a safer option for the cabinetry in their

homes, and allowed the general public to learn more about Pure Bond products. Columbia Forest Products then made a generous offer to Habitat for Humanity: they could sell cabinetry made from Pure Bond materials locally and keep the profits. The local Habitat for Humanity chapter made good use of this offer. Now they have increased their territory to international chapters of Habitat for Humanity. This program and the hard work of the volunteers for Habitat for Humanity made the Greensboro chapter one of the top ten branches in the country. Businesses or homeowners interested in purchasing Pure Bond products can find them in the Habitat for Humanity ReStore or at your local Home Depot. They come in a wide variety of local hardwoods such as Birch, Red Oak, Ash, Poplar, Cherry and Mahogany. International hardwoods include Amaranth, Lypus, Rosewood, Tamo, Teak and Zebrawood. â&#x20AC;˘

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ e

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Inward, Outward, Forward:

VF Corporation Celebrates Employees and the Community. For Triad job seekers, this Fortune 500 apparel and footwear company is the right fit. ssociates at VF Corporation’s world headquarters in Greensboro, N.C., have the best of both worlds: the fast-paced, challenging career opportunities that come with working for a Fortune 500 company, and a friendly, nurturing corporate culture that celebrates ingenuity and innovation.

“Everybody wants to find that balance,” says Ron Lawrence, vice president of Organization Development at VF Corporation. “Here, our associates’ contributions are appreciated, and they can have a real career where they can grow beyond the job they were hired to do.” Lawrence describes VF as “opportunity-rich.” The world’s largest apparel company, whose portfolio includes outdoor companies such as The North Face® and Timberland®, along with contemporary, fashion-forward brands like Splendid® and 7 for all Mankind®, employs more than 52,000 employees on six continents. VF Corporation’s jobs range from design, marketing and communications positions to functional roles such as finance, logistics and supply-chain management.

Looking Inside: Home Sweet Home Ask any employee in VF’s Greensboro-based offices what makes working for VF Corporation so appealing, and you’ll find that the opportunity to build one’s career at a Fortune 500 company is only half the story. The other half is the city itself. Lawrence, who has logged many hours in major metropolitan areas, such as Hong Kong and Washington, D.C., believes Greensboro’s intimacy and affordable lifestyle is one of the greatest draws for potential candidates. “When I talk about the community, I talk about Greensboro’s quality of life and what you can have for the cost of living in terms of housing,” Lawrence says. “Greensboro is a beautiful city. It’s safe and fun, genuinely kind and as welcoming as anywhere in the country. This is a great place to raise a family.” Guilford County Schools is the third-largest K-12 school district in the state, with more than 120 schools, including magnet schools and an International Baccalaureate program. Seven colleges and universities infuse the city with young, highly educated adults. And when it comes to outdoor activities, Greensboro lives up to its name – miles of winding trails and greenways connecting the city’s parks and neighborhoods welcome walkers and bikers. 16

e www.greensborochamber.com

Fran Mellette, director of Human Resources for Jeanswear North America and the company’s Wrangler® brand, adds that VF has much to offer potential recruits in the apparel business. “Because the company is so big and there are opportunities across our different brands, we can attract high talent because we’re poised to move our associates as they grow within their careers,” she says. More than one VF entity hangs its hat in Greensboro. The company’s Jeanswear coalition, which employs 900 associates in its downtown building, is three miles from world headquarters and nestled in a hotspot for restaurants, museums and local theaters. “It’s convenient and nice to be in the center of the city,” Mellette says. “There are great restaurants within walking distance, and when downtown events like First Fridays take place after work, they’re easy to get to. From the top floor of our office, you can even watch the Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball games.”

Where Function Meets Design To create world-class apparel, form and function must harmonize, Lawrence says. “With our products, it’s not just the functional utility that matters. There’s a fashion and style component, an art and beauty element.” According to Lawrence, the opportunity to collaborate with talented colleagues who appreciate both the art and science involved cultivates a stimulating work environment for VF employees. “Our employees are passionate, good listeners who understand what our consumers want and value,” he says. “We have some of the most creative minds in the industry, but they also come to the table with data-driven insights.” Working alongside creative professionals, associates solve innovative challenges, from the design of fabrics that wick away moisture, to the logistics of efficiently transporting products across the globe. “Every seven or eight seconds, a VF product is sold somewhere around the world,” Lawrence says. “That requires a highly diversified global supply chain.” Like Lawrence, Mellette enjoys working with VF’s diverse group of motivated individuals. And the best part, she adds: “VF has an extremely high-

performing workforce, but at the same time celebrates informality with a casual environment where associates are encouraged to wear jeans and take time to socialize with their peers.” VF’s relaxed culture contributes to its sense of community and family, adds Lawrence. “We have a very low attrition; people come to VF and they stay. You can have a good career here, be well-paid and do interesting work.” Lawrence says the corporation respects what makes each brand unique and appealing to the consumer and reflects those values in the brands’ individual work environments. VF brand diversity opens the door to nearly any personality type, because, as Lawrence points out, VF associates often embody the lifestyle of the brands they represent. “Our employees are enthusiastic about their work because they are invited to follow their passions,” Lawrence says. “Our Reef® brand is actually managed by surfers and outdoor enthusiasts who are committed to improving the natural world work for The North Face®. Designers who love high-fashion can create products for 7 For All Mankind®, Lucy® and Splendid®.”

Looking Out: Community Giving VF cultivates a deep appreciation for its vision and values, and one of those is looking outward and giving back to the community – emphasizing its associates’ roles as good civic stewards. “There are lots of opportunities to volunteer in Greensboro,” says David Andress, director of Human Resource Administration. “We are very engaged in the United Way campaign each year and we partner with Habitat for Humanity, both as a builder and a sponsor. We also sponsor a large team at Tanglewood’s annual National MS Society bike ride. And that’s just to name a few of our community-based pursuits.” While the company nurtures relationships with multiple community organizations offering volunteer opportunities, VF also encourages associates to follow their own passions. At the company’s annual VF Day breakfast, the top 100 employees who have logged the most volunteer hours are honored with a $1,000 donation to the organization of their choice.

“Last year, our associates registered more than 27,000 hours of community service,” Andress says. Since the VF 100 program began in 2005, associates have volunteered 187,000 total hours in their communities, and the VF Foundation has donated $700,000 to non-profit organizations across the world.

Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Future, Together At VF, camaraderie is essential to sustainable business development, and events such as ice cream socials are commonplace. “When you’re working at your desk, it’s easy to put your head down and not get out of your department,” Andress says. “But it’s important to develop a network within the company because what you’re doing in your role always has an impact on what other people are trying to accomplish in their areas.” Providing associates with a rich social network is so important that a committee reaches out to new employees after their first few months to get feedback on how their work is going, how their experience has been thus far, what the company can do to take their experiences to the next level or to make new employees feel more welcome in the future. Hiring a talented staff and then working to foster a culture of innovation is just the beginning of achieving VF’s goal of shaping the future of apparel. But keeping that workforce committed and engaged means listening to associates’ feedback on a regular basis.

“Every 18 months, we send out a worldwide engagement survey,” Andress says. “We compile results and report back at a corporate and brand level.” By understanding what employees like about working at VF, the company can make each associate’s work experience better. “We want to be competitive, not just with competitive wages, but other factors as well,” Andress says. “We want to be sure people feel like they have a good relationship with their supervisor and with management. We want people to feel like their ideas are being utilized when they’re offered. And we want our associates to know that they have a clear path for growing their career within VF.” For potential VF job candidates, the opportunity to contribute to a Fortune 500 company that looks within to take care of its employees; around to give back to its community; and forward to ensure a profitable and sustainable future is even more enticing when that company is growing quickly and showing no signs of slowing down. “VF has a history of fast-paced growth and is always looking forward for new acquisitions and opportunities,” Andress says. “The last eight-to-10 years have been the most exciting time of my career. And you see the excitement and hear the passion of fellow associates who have been involved in helping us to grow. We’re going to continue to grow and move at that pace. Our story speaks for itself.” •

T he Perks VF associates enjoy a lengthy list of benefits, including: • Discounts on VF brands’ clothing and

footwear for employees and their families; • Matching grants to universities or PBS

stations; • Excellent health care, including vision

and dental benefits, prescription plans and flexible spending accounts; • The opportunity to contribute to a

401(k), with a 50 percent corporate match, up to 6 percent; • An allowance for tuition reimbursement; • Scholarships for associates’ children; • Access to a mile-long nature trail that

skirts the world headquarters’ building; • Leadership training and development

opportunities.

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

EDUCATON

A Place to Learn ost parents consider it a good problem: Guilford County’s education options from early childhood through higher education are enormous.

Guilford County Public Schools From Montessori to traditional, math and science magnets, to year-round schools, Guilford County School Students have 49 magnet schools and school choice options, including two year-round schools. From the Spanish immersion program at Jones to the math and science focus of General Greene, elementary schools offer many paths to excellence. All County high schools offer AP courses, and four are part of the International Baccalaureate Program. From the state champion football team of Northern Guilford High to the passionate performers at PennGriffin School of the Arts, our local public schools ready students for the future of their choice.

Private School Options Another option for students is to seek a more specialized niche such as private, parochial, or Montessori schools. Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, St. Leo

e www.greensborochamber.com

Elementary, St. Pius Middle and Bishop McGuiness High Schools offer a traditional catholic education. Vandalia Christian School, Shining Light Academy and Caldwell Academy are Christian based K-12 programs in the Greensboro area. Canterbury School is an Episcopal school serving Pre-K through 8th grade. B’nai Shalom provides preschool through 8th grade with a Jewish day school education. The American Hebrew Academy offers a home-like atmosphere for outstanding students in grades 9 through 12. New Garden Friends School is guided by the Quaker faith and practice. The Greensboro Montessori School serves children ages 18 months through 8th

grade with individually guided, hands-on discovery and exploration. Greensboro Day School is the largest nonsectarian independent school in the Greensboro area with 800 students, pre-K to 12th grade. Many children with learning differences find success at Noble Academy with its small class size and individual attention. Oak Ridge Military Academy, located minutes outside of Greensboro, has a proud heritage dating back to 1850. Ryan and Christine Anderson are the owners of “Club Z! In Home Tutoring Services of Greensboro” and are proud members of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, and the Greensboro educational community. •

HIGHER EDUCATON

A Place for Knowledge areers start every day in Greensboro. Doctors, lawyers, scientists, artists, teachers and even astronauts get their start here.

Greensboro is known as a vibrant and fun college town. Home to three universities: University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina A&T State University and Elon University School of Law. It is also home to Guilford College, Bennett College and Greensboro College. Guilford Technical Community College, ECPI, Virgina College and numerous online schools provide even more opportunity for students to reach their educational goals.

Gateway University Research Park’s Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering

North Carolina A&T State University Education in agriculture and mechanical and technical arts is the foundation on which NC A&T began. With 60 undergraduate, 30 master’s and 6 doctoral degree programs, students are excelling in a wide range of fields. Thanks to the university’s focus on cutting-edge research, graduates are working in advanced new fields such as biotechnology, computational science and nanotechnology.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro UNCG offers challenging academic programs and a campus community rich in resources. It also has something not so easy to find – an education environment that nurtures your personal vision and offers one of the best values in the nation. With more than 200 majors, programs and certificate opportunities, the possibilities for students are endless.

Elon University School of Law More than 50 practicing attorneys serve as mentors for law students at this downtown Greensboro school. It is one of the few law schools in the nation to house a working court, the North Carolina Business Court. Students learn while working, and each class contributes more than 20,000 hours of community service. It ranks as one of the country’s top 20 innovative law schools.

Gateway University Research Park Gateway University Research Park’s Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering is an innovative partnership between North Carolina A&T State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Degree programs include a Doctorate and Master’s in Nanoengineering and Nanoscience. These graduates are leading the way to the future of science and technology in the United States. Minutes from Greensboro are more choices for continued learning including Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, High Point University, Salem College, University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Forsyth Technical Community College. Combined, the Piedmont Triad Region is a bustling center for advanced education and research, with more than 100,000 college students in the region. If you have a dream, Greensboro higher education options offer the opportunities for you to make it happen. •

Higher Education Area Transit Get Going. Get HEAT! Fare-free for college students at partner schools Connecting your campus to the best of Greensboro Late night service until 3am! You can ride the entire GTA system also!

www.rideheat.com Plan your trip on HEAT using Google Transit on your mobile device or desktop! GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

HIGHER EDUCATON

Spotlight on Guilford College

uilford College offers a practical education based on Quaker values since its founding in 1837. Today, it is home to 2,800 traditional-aged and adult students who are learning to be the world’s next generation of critical thinkers and principled problem solvers.

Guilford is well regarded for its innovative teaching by faculty who engage with and inspire students. The Center for Principled Problem Solving puts college core values of community, diversity, equality, excellence, integrity, justice, and stewardship to work in the world. In its 175th year, Guilford is a vibrant liberal arts college for the 21st century, and is listed among “Colleges That Change Lives,” best value colleges, and the most environmentally responsible colleges in the United States and Canada. Guilford puts its core values into practice through sustainability projects such as the LEED-certified historic preservation of Archdale Hall, the installation of 200 solar thermal panels on buildings across campus, and student-managed community gardens. To further explore Guilford College, visit guilford.edu.

College Life “From technology to arts, and everything in between, Greensboro has a network of educational hubs to further opportunities for University students. The professional community welcomes students, offering networking events and access to international industry right at our doorstep. Greensboro maintains its reputation as a gate city, with the best of big-city culture and the small-town comfort of recognizable faces. Greensboro is a great place to have fun exploring opportunities along the path to your future!” - Anna Will, UNCG IARc M.S. Candidate •

T here’s Something for Everyone at GTCC! We Provide Education Where You Are to Get You Where You Want to Go uilford Technical Community College (GTCC) provides Basic Skills, Adult High School and GED programs. Developmental classes prepare students for college-level work or the achievement of credentials which will enhance their employability. The Quick Jobs program offers numerous ways to become occupationally trained in 90 days or less.

may choose the Weekend and Evening College where you can attend classes at night or on Saturdays, take online classes or a combination of both. GTCC has several easily accessible campuses including Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, the Aviation Center at PTIA and the Cameron Campus in Oak Ridge (Spring 2014).

All That We Do

Learning Is a Lifelong Process

Our commitment is to:

GTCC offers more than 25 college transfer programs such as Business, Engineering, Chemistry and Music. GTCC offers two-year associate degrees and one-year certificates and diplomas in over 100 different programs.

• Enable citizens to become

The Continuing Education Division offers a multitude of non-credit courses dedicated to helping people upgrade their skills and achieve certification. Microsoft Office training, web design, public speaking and project management are examples of these courses. A variety of topics are offered simply for the joy of learning. Sewing, cake decorating and ballroom dancing, for example, are geared towards personal enrichment.

• Get our citizens back into the

Education…On Your Schedule…At Your Location Do you want to start or complete your college education, but also have a lot of responsibilities? At GTCC, we understand your situation. eLearning offers 21 associate degree programs completely online. You 20

e www.greensborochamber.com

lifelong learners and access the resources they need to become successful workforce as soon as possible • Help current businesses and

business owners maintain a welltrained workforce • Continue to attract and retain

businesses in Guilford County. For more information, we invite you to visit us at www.gtcc.edu or call 336-334-4822. We look forward to seeing you on campus! •

Success Story Connie Buterbaugh College Transfer Student Class of 2012

A wife and mother, Connie wasn’t sure she could afford college. Thanks to scholarships received from the GTCC Foundation, Connie was able to fill the financial gaps and become a success story. After completing her associate degree, she was able to transfer to NC State University where she is currently pursuing her degree in aerospace engineering.

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ e

ARTS & CULTURE

A Place to Discover Five Fun Things To Do In and Around Greensboro

trip to Greensboro means never hearing “I’m bored.” Around every corner is something to see or learn. From wild animals to wild fun, an adventure is waiting you in the Triad.

Carolina Theatre, Greensboro, NC

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park On March 15, 1781, a watershed Revolutionary War battle was fought at Guilford Courthouse, in what is now Greensboro, North Carolina. The American forces, led by General Nathanial Greene, fought valiantly against British troops led by Lord Cornwallis. This battle was significant to American independence, as it depleted the strength of the British forces, which surrendered to George Washington at the battle of Yorktown later that year.

stage of their career. ArtQuest, a program of Green Hill Center, is an inspiring hands-on studio designed by North Carolina artists where creativity is nurtured through the open exploration of art and art materials. Green Hill Center exhibitions showcase the best in NC Contemporary art and draw audiences through dynamic programmatic choices. Exhibitions run approximately two months and are open six days a week. For a schedule of exhibitions and associated programming visit www.greenhillcenter.org.

Greensboro Children’s Museum

The battlefield site is now beautifully preserved as the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. In 1917, this became the first Revolutionary War battlefield in the United States to be protected by the Federal government. Visitors can now visit the battlefield and adjoining museum, experience the battle via an annual reenactment, and also enjoy the picturesque park grounds that feature historic monuments, as well as extensive walking and biking trails. Learn more at www.nps.gov/guco/index.htm.

Green Hill Center For NC Art Green Hill Center for NC Art is the only noncollecting organization dedicated to presenting, promoting and advocating contemporary visual art and artists of North Carolina. Since its founding in 1974, Green Hill Center has presented and sold artwork of over 9,700 visual artists and engaged nearly 1 million visitors through free access through The Gallery, ArtQuest and The Shop. Each year, Green Hill Center for NC Art presents five exhibitions, curated to provide opportunities for North Carolina artists at every

e www.greensborochamber.com

The Greensboro Children’s Museum (GCM) is a hands-on, interactive museum for children, their families and teachers. The Museum is designed to inspire learning through play in a fun, energetic and safe environment for children up to 10 years of age. The 37,000-square-foot facility in downtown Greensboro includes over 20 permanent hands-on exhibits in “Our Town” and a new outdoor Edible Schoolyard that are designed to stimulate children’s imaginations and provide educational play experiences. It’s where play is a smart adventure! Learn more at www.gcmuseum.com.

Triad Stage & Carolina Theatre In the heart of downtown Greensboro, you’ll find two theatres that rival ones you would find in our country’s biggest cities. One holds a place in our city’s history, opening more than 85 years ago; the other, in its infancy has already garnered national attention. The Carolina Theatre welcomes nearly 90,000 visitors downtown every year to enjoy the rich atmosphere and ambiance of an earlier era, while enjoying some of today’s top performers. She has been home to the Greensboro Ballet, Community Theatre of Greensboro, Greensboro Opera, and other local performing arts groups. Civic groups, businesses, and individuals also rent the facility for seminars, meeting, receptions and

Summer Solstice Celebration, Greensboro, NC

even weddings. In 1999, the co-founders of Triad Stage set out to create a professional, not-for-profit regional theater to serve the communities of the Triad. Triad Stage has more than 3,000 season pass holders and more than 400 annual donors. The company has received accolades on national, state and local levels.

North Carolina Zoo About 30 minutes south of Greensboro is America’s largest walk-through zoo and the first zoo designed from its inception around the “natural habitat” philosophy—presenting animals and plants in exhibits that closely resemble the habitats in which they would be found in the wild. Among the most popular exhibits are those that display elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, rhinoceros, giraffes, zebras, seals, river otters and alligators. The 37-acre African Plains exhibit alone is as large as many entire zoos. The 11-acre Prairie exhibit in the North American region showcases the zoo’s collection of bison and elk. In spring 2014 the polar bears, always popular with visitors, will move into one of the largest polar-bear exhibits in the nation. The North Carolina Zoo is open year round except Christmas Day. For additional information, visit the zoo’s Web site at www.nczoo.org or call 1-800-488-0444. •

ARTS & CULTURE

T he Greensboro Science Center Aquarium, Museum, Zoo By Steffany Reeve: Marketing Director, Natural Science Center

here is a moment after you enter when you realize this place is something special. The Greensboro Science Center is more than a museum, more than a zoo and more than a theater. It’s a place of unlimited adventure where the doors are wide open for discovery.

If you haven’t visited the Greensboro Science Center (formerly known as the Natural Science Center of Greensboro) lately, you are missing out. What was once just a small nature center and petting zoo a mere 10 years ago is now a thriving, accredited, state-ofthe-art science museum, zoo and full dome theater that is setting attendance records year after year. It is one of only 14 institutions nationally accredited by both the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Alliance of Museums and has recently been selected to be a model for other museums and zoos around the country. With a $20 million Master Plan expansion in the works, a new 22,000-square-foot, world-class aquarium on target to open this summer, and many more exciting enhancements planned, this place has become one of the top “must see” attractions in North Carolina. The brand new Carolina SciQuarium is North Carolina’s first center-of-state aquarium and the first to be LEEDcertified. It features popular and high profile water-dwelling endangered species like penguins, sharks, otters, eels, stingrays and fishing cats and be interspersed with interactive “SciPod” learning stations. Visitors are immersed in an undersea world where they can

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

Zoo in “Indiana Bones and the Kingdom of the Camarasaur.” “KATS: The Meerkat Musical”, another popular show, magically “transports” visitors to the Kalahari Desert where an adorable meerkat pup and her family tell an inspirational story about their lives through song. Both shows are extraordinarily unique and are included with general admission. Animal Discovery Zoological Park offers up-close encounters with wild and endangered animals like tigers, monkeys, crocodiles, maned wolves, meerkats, lemurs and wallabies. The zoo spans over 12 acres and features beautiful nature trails, “dancing” fountains and climbing structures for kids. In the Zoo’s Discovery House and farmyard, visitors can pet friendly animals like bunnies, ferrets, goats, sheep, alpacas and miniature horses. With the planned expansion in the next five years, Animal Discovery will double in size and likely add more fascinating animals like orangatans, tree kangaroos, komodo dragons and pygmy hippos. Once the Master Plan is complete, the Greensboro Science Center will be the only attraction of its kind in the nation to offer an accredited science museum, zoo, OmniSphere theater and aquarium in one destination.

touch live stingrays, get nose to beak with penguins and engage with animal keepers and educators to learn about the amazing animals that reside here. Visitors can also take behind-thescenes tours focusing on the science of animal care and water quality management and experience penguin encounters. Inside the Greensboro Science Center’s museum, there are dozens of hands-on interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages. The HealthQuest exhibit is unlike any human health and biology experience in the nation. It combines 21st century medical science with state-of-the-art videography, real preserved human bodies, and over a hundred ‘kidcool’ interactives like a giant nose that sneezes on you. The Extreme Weather Gallery offers visitors a chance to feel the wind force of a category five hurricane and touch simulated lightning panels. Toddlers can enjoy imaginative play and explore the wonders of nature indoors in Kids’ Alley. 24

e www.greensborochamber.com

Visitors who are brave enough can come face-toface with a 36-foot roaring T-Rex in Dinosaur Gallery and touch bearded dragons, black rat snakes, and other reptiles in the Herpetarium lab. The Center’s OmniSphere Theater, one of the most technically sophisticated domed theaters in the nation, offers unique visual experiences for adults and children. New full-dome and eyepopping 3D shows projected onto the 40-foot, 360-degree dome ceiling take visitors on a virtual journey through the universe to marvel at planets and stars in our wondrous solar system or deep under the ocean on imaginary adventures with a friendly sea turtle or giant sea monsters. For visitors who like interactive experiences, the public shows in the Center’s remodeled Adventure Theatres are a big hit. Audience members help Indiana Bones solve riddles to stop the evil Dr. Dean O. Saur from taking over Animal Discovery

Although it started as a small neighborhood science center 55 years ago, the Greensboro Science Center is well on its way to become a signature national tourist attraction that is not to be missed in Greensboro. Whether you’re looking for an adventurous family outing, a casual date option or just something different to do, the Greensboro Science Center is worth a visit! For more information on the Greensboro Science Center, visit www.greensboroscience.org. Greensboro Science Center Information Website: www.greensboroscience.org Address: 4301 Lawndale Drive Greensboro, NC 27455 Phone: 336.288.3769 Museum hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Animal Discovery hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $8/adults 4-14, $7/children 3-13 and seniors 65+. Children 2 and under are free. Group rates are available. (rates subject to change) Parking is free. •

ARTS & CULTURE

International Civil Rights Center & Museum reensboro, North Carolina was the center of a movement that forever changed the United States. The International Civil Rights Center & Museum (ICRCM), located in the former F.W. Woolworth building, was the site of the February 1-July 25, 1960 sit-in protest against segregated eating facilities. That six-month demonstration reignited the civil rights movement that transformed a nation.

Our 17-gallery main exhibition, The Battlegrounds, offers an engaging journey through time as we witness courageous men, women and children who fought caste-like restrictions based on race. Their stories unfold in newsreel footage, photographic documents, video

reenactments, high tech interactive components and numerous artifacts—including the iconic “whites only” lunch counter. Moreover, ICRCM’s educational and public programs (lectures, panel discussions, documentary film screenings, book signings and theatrical productions) promote an understanding and appreciation of the struggles for equality, social justice and freedom in the United States and the world. This historic landmark, exhibiting and collecting institution, and educational service organization opened its doors on February 1, 2010—the 50th anniversary date of the sit-in protest in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina. •

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

RECREATION

A Place toPlay Find Your Passion at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex aving celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009, the Greensboro Coliseum Complex has a longstanding—and well-earned—reputation as one of the premiere sports and entertainment facilities in the country. This past year was no exception as the Complex brought national exposure to Greensboro with its hosting of numerous premiere events including the 2012 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) women’s basketball tournament, 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament and concerts by some of the biggest names in the music industry including Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, The Who and Justin Bieber.

The Coliseum Complex is a multi-building facility designed to serve the citizens of Greensboro and the surrounding area through a broad range of

UNC vs. Duke at the Greensboro Coliseum

e www.greensborochamber.com

activities, including athletic events, cultural arts, concerts, theater, educational activities, fairs, exhibits, and public and private events of all kinds including conventions, convocations and trade and consumer shows. It is both a primary center of activity for the community and a leading economic generator for this region. One of the most actively booked facilities in the country, the Greensboro Coliseum Complex hosted more than 1,000 events last year. With its incredible versatility, the Complex has gained worldwide acclaim from promoters, producers, event planners and patrons.

The Greensboro Coliseum Complex consists of the Greensboro Coliseum (with seating capacity over 21,000), 2,400-seat War Memorial Auditorium, 300-seat Odeon Theatre, the 167,000square-foot Special Events Center that includes three exhibition halls, a 4,500-seat mini-arena and eight meeting rooms, and the 30,000-square-foot Pavilion, located adjacent to the Special Events Center. The Complex had a dynamic expansion in 2011 with the addition of four new, unique venues that attracted thousands of visitors and brought millions of dollars in economic impact to the Greensboro community. ACC Hall of Champions, Greensboro, NC

ACC Hall of Champions, an 8,100-square-foot museum that showcases ACC history through interactive displays, unique institutional exhibits and multi-purpose program space. Highlights include a four-foot, 360-degree, state-of-the-art video globe with a unique, multi-media display of conference highlights, life-size ACC school mascot exhibits that have been a huge hit with younger visitors and an interactive exhibit that lets fans face off in a head-to-head challenge to test their knowledge of ACC sports trivia. Greensboro Aquatic Center is a 78,323-square-foot, state-ofthe-art facility with three bodies of water and a seating capacity of 2,500. GAC brings together major aquatic sports – competitive swimming and diving, water polo, synchronized swimming and other unique sports – all in one venue.

Greensboro Aquatic Center

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

White Oak Amphitheatre is an outdoor venue with a seating capacity of over 7,600, including more than 2,000 reserved seats. White Oak Amphitheatre hosts a diverse selection of community programs, music, arts and crafts and festival type events. The Terrace is a 12,900-square-foot banquet facility ideal for hosting speaking engagements, hospitality functions and upscale dining events in a luxurious, richly decorated setting. City leaders recently authorized $24 million in improvements—funded from local hotel/motel tax revenues – that will help Greensboro’s greatest economic generator continue to thrive. The upgrades, which began this fall, include new, upholstered arena seating, widening of the Coliseum’s upper level concourse, addition of new concession cooking stands and a new, larger, higher resolution video scoreboard. These changes are critical as the Coliseum Complex continues to pursue bringing the most prestigious sporting events and biggest names in live entertainment to Greensboro, North Carolina. Want to learn more about the Greensboro Coliseum Complex? Please visit us online at www.greensborocoliseum.com. For ticket information for upcoming Coliseum Complex events please go to www.ticketmaster.com. We look forward to seeing you at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex! •

Greensboro Aquatic Center

e www.greensborochamber.com

RECREATION

T he Ice House ocated in West Greensboro, the Ice House is a 30,000-square-foot training and recreational property designed to accommodate the most popular ice sports and activities. The facility features an NHL-sized ice rink, rental skates, snack bar, pro shop, two birthday party and multipurpose rooms, five locker rooms with shower and restrooms, two coaches/referees rooms, and a second-floor mezzanine viewing area. The Ice House proudly offers an array of on- and office activities for nearly anyone in the Triad area.

Full Service Skating Programs The Ice House offers a program for skaters and hockey players at all levels from general public skating to beginner and intermediate learn to skate classes as well as classes and private instruction for the advance skaters together with programs for beginner and elite youth hockey players plus all levels of adult recreational skating and hockey. The business also offers packages for birthday parties, reduced rates for group outings, and summer camps where kids at all levels of skating can enjoy ice sports in a safe environment that also teaches group interaction while providing full- and half-day child care.

Adult Hockey Arrives Adult hockey is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing sectors of recreational hockey in the United States. The Ice House has seen the adult hockey program grow from 11 teams in 2003 to 33 teams in 2013. This growth has allowed the rink to offer a variety of leagues for adult players at many levels. The Greensboro Adult Hockey League, or GAHL, is divided into six leagues, and operates three seasons each year beginning in January, May and September. The camaraderie cultivated within each team and league is what keeps the leagues growing along with the quest each season for the Manley Cup, the GAHL’s version of the NHL’s Stanley Cup .

Youth Hockey Up Close Most children and their parents look for a sport or activity in which to participate while growing up and it’s very easy for children to fall in love with the sport of hockey. The sight of a small child moving around on skates is one of more entertaining and rewarding sights for a parent to see. Hockey is a game in which young people learn team and individual skills, life lessons, and develop lasting friendships. Like most any sport, children and their parents decide whether to play recreational hockey or to pursue a more competitive style of travel hockey.

Figure Skating Refuses to Take a Back Seat In 2011, Greensboro hosted the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. This is the largest and most prestigious national competition. This competition helps set the team that participates in the winter Olympics every four years. The Ice House provided ice for the competitors to use for practice leading up to their events. Figure skating continues to play an increasingly important role in the ice rink business and is one of the “big 3” along with hockey and public skating in terms of popularity at an ice rink. Learn to skate programs are what people typically participate in after they have gained an interest in skating through visiting a public skating session, a friend’s birthday party, or maybe even seen skating on television. From learn to skate, participants can move into the hockey track or continue along in learning the various skills necessary to become a recreation or competition figure skater. Skating

Downtown Ice Skating, Greensboro, NC

programs continue to grow and adapt to the skaters. One of our most popular programs is the AdvantEdge course which introduces developing skaters to several of the advanced disciplines within competitive skating within a group outing. The group environment adds a different twist from the sometimes intense private one on one instruction which is necessary for any skater who wishes to participate in competitive figure skating.

Try Public Skating Public skating is the most common introduction all that an ice rink offers. It is where mom and dad bring the kids for some family time, boyfriend takes girlfriend on their first date, school friends get together for a Friday or Saturday night out, or the local boy/girl scout or youth group plan a group outing. The Ice House invites you to come and enjoy one of its daily public ice skating sessions. We hope to see you soon at your neighborhood ice rink! •

The Greensboro Ice House 6119 Landmark Center Blvd. Greensboro, NC 27407

(336) 852-1515 The Greensboro Ice House opened in the fall of 1997. We are located near the Wendover Avenue exit off of I-40. We are a multipurpose organization open year round that offers skating to the public, youth and adult hockey, learn to skate classes, figure skating, birthday parties, day camps, group outings, broomball, and private rentals. Our facility contains rental skates, a concession stand, four locker rooms with showers, a women's locker room, two multipurpose birthday party rooms, a mezzanine viewing area, and pro shop with skate sharpening. Our staff is excited to serve you! GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

RECREATION

A Place to Run, Bike,Kick & Swim ur name says it all. Greensboro has a lot of green space. With more than 100 parks around the county, you’re never far from a place to stretch your legs.

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park History buffs don’t want to miss this stop in northwest Greensboro. The site of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in 1781 is now a federally protected park. Check out the visitor’s center for a quick history lesson, explore the natural beauty of the land and forest around it and don’t miss the anniversary observance and reenactment held each spring.

Bryan Park If you like to swing a golf club or a tennis racquet, you’ll like Bryan Park. With 36 holes of championship golf, tennis and volleyball courts and even a horseshoe pit, there is always activity at the park.

Gateway Gardens Greensboro Beautiful volunteers work with the city to maintain five public gardens. Eventually spanning 11 acres, Gateway Gardens provides a stunning entryway into the City of Greensboro,

a playful and interactive garden, and a horticultural oasis integrating elements of history, movement, discovery, and community. •

Downtown Greenway is always active. Bryan Park Golf boasts a 4-star ranking in Golf Digest’s best places to play golf.

e www.greensborochamber.com

DINING

A Place to Eat, Drink & Be Merry Downtown Greensboro Offers Something for Every Taste

hether it’s date night, family dinner night, girls’ night out, or game time with the guys, downtown Greensboro has lots of places to nosh. Fine dining, casual dining, snack and dessert spots, even sidewalk food carts are around every corner.

For a special occasion you might want to try Undercurrent. With casual dining choices from classic American like Metro 300, Fisher’s Grille, Natty Greene’s and Bistro 40 to Mexican and Hibachi you’ll find just the taste to satisfy your appetite. If you want to grab a snack and catch a game, pick of one of downtown’s many pubs like Stumble Stilskins. If you want a hearty breakfast or savory lunch, check out Smith Street Diner. Loaf and A Sweet Success Bakery are great choices if you crave a treat. And be sure to check out the restaurants of South End. The deliciousness continues south of the railroad tracks at The WORX.

“Bird” seranades customers at Fincastles Diner

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is an ongoing celebration of exceptional food and wine. Indulge yourself with the finest aged Prime beef and discover new tastes with our award-winning wine list, featuring 100 wines by the glass. Known for its warm inviting ambiance and attention to detail, Fleming’s features an open dining room built around an exhibition kitchen and expansive bar. Adjacent to the main dining area are private dining rooms that can comfortably accommodate small or large groups. Fleming’s lively atmosphere, gracious service and dedication to excellence turn evenings out into memorable times. Fleming’s is the ultimate steakhouse destination for food and wine lovers seeking a stylish, lively and memorable dining experience. Nationally renowned for its Prime beef and steakhouse fare, Fleming’s is equally celebrated for the Fleming’s 100™, its awardwinning wine program that features 100 wines by the glass. Fleming’s was founded on the premise that a steakhouse can be sophisticated yet comfortable and not overpriced. Fleming’s offers an engaging ambiance and lively environment, where one can enjoy great food and a broad selection of fine wine, which is further complemented by attentive and knowledgeable service.

CUISINE: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar has a talented Chef Partner at each location and features USDA Prime corn-fed beef, aged to perfection for flavor and texture. The restaurant offers a wide selection of sizes and cuts, ranging from Petite Filet Mignon to Prime Bone-In Ribeye. All steaks are broiled at 1600 degrees to seal in the beef ’s natural juices and flavors. While Prime beef reigns supreme at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, other flavorful dishes offered include daily-featured selections of fresh seafood, fresh salads, delicious appetizer selections and a selection of innovative steakhouse Small Plates. The restaurant serves fresh sides family-style—among the selections are four different potato preparations. Tempting desserts made from scratch every day, all served tableside with Chantilly cream, include the Chocolate Lava Cake and Crème Brulée.

WINE PROGRAM: The Fleming’s 100 is truly a point of differentiation and an integral part of the dining experience at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Each year, Director of Wine Maeve Pesquera selects a majority of the wines to appear on Fleming’s wine lists throughout the country. The other wines on the list are selected in conjunction with the local Wine Managers to reflect regional tastes. This year’s collection of 100 wines by the glass showcases the most innovative, cutting-edge wines from iconic and classic wineries. From small-yield, sustainable and biodynamic farming to the latest in canopy management and hand-harvesting and sorting, these wines are leading the industry into a new age of winemaking. Special two-ounce “wine tasting” pours are offered as wine flights to assist diners in finding the perfect wine to complement their culinary choice.

BAR MENU: Fleming’s has also introduced a new way to make a memorable start to the evening with their “5 for 6 ‘til 7” bar menu. The menu offers five premium cocktails, five award-winning wines by the glass, and five signature appetizers—all priced at $6 each—a stellar value, all available until 7 p.m., seven nights a week except where prohibited by law. Selections on the “5 for 6 ‘til 7” bar menu change with each season. Hours and offerings are subject to change in compliance with local or state liquor laws. Fleming’s continues to set the standard in steakhouse dining with the introduction of its Bar la Carte Menu. Served exclusively in the bar, the menu offers Fleming’s guests six satisfying dishes available any time, any evening. More substantial than appetizers or the typical “bar bites” found at many restaurants, the addition of this Bar la Carte menu makes Fleming’s bar as much a destination for food as it is for wine and cocktails.

AWARDS: • Wine Spectator Magazine, August 31, 2011 – 64

Awards of Excellence (one for every restaurant) • CHEERS Magazine, 2011

Best Chain Wine List • VIBE, March 2011

VIBE Vista Best Wine Program

e www.greensborochamber.com

AMBIANCE & INTERIOR DESIGN: The atmosphere of Fleming’s is stylish and lively, with the scene enhanced by the open setting and background music that sets the tone for a first-rate dining experience. The ambiance is enhanced by an open dining room built around an exhibition kitchen and expansive bar. Warm and inviting, the setting is refined and casually elegant. Features include lighter woods with rich cherry accents, high ceilings, and leather upholstery. Custom-designed alabaster chandeliers complement the scene with a warm amber glow throughout the restaurant.

PRIVATE DINING: Guests can turn any special occasion into memorable times at Fleming’s. Whether hosting a small social gathering or large business function, Fleming’s will custom-tailor an event worthy of the occasion. It’s the personal touches that make an event special, and no one understands this better than our Private Dining Directors. They ensure that every detail—from the food and drinks to the ambience and timing—is exactly right. Guests can choose from one of the three set dinner menus—“Chardonnay,” “Zinfandel” and “Merlot”—or work with Private Dining Directors to customize a special menu, either for a full lunch or dinner, or wine-tasting party with hors d’oeuvres. For more information or to learn about Cisco TelePresence, Fleming’s award-winning video conferencing network, please contact the local Private Dining Director at your nearest Fleming’s location. •

HEALTHCARE

A Place to Heal Cone Health Cone Health is a not-for-profit network serving people in Guilford, Forsyth, Rockingham, Alamance and Randolph counties. Its tagline— “The Network for Exceptional Care”—highlights Cone Health’s commitment to excellence, which is shared by more than 8,600 professionals, 1,000 physicians and 700 volunteers. As one of the region’s largest and most comprehensive health networks, Cone Health includes five hospitals, two medical centers, three urgent care centers, 66 physician practice sites and one of the largest accountable care organizations in the state—Triad HealthCare Network. Cone Health is anchored by The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital. This 536-bed teaching hospital recently opened North Tower—a 96-room addition built to push exceptional patient care to

new heights. Moses Cone Hospital includes a Pediatric Emergency Department, Trauma Center and Cone Health Heart and Vascular Center, which is ranked amoung the top programs in the nation for open heart surgery volumes and outcomes. Moses Cone Hospital opened 60 years ago as “the most modern hospital in the South.” Wesley Long Hospital offers 175 beds focused on oncology, bariatric surgery, urology and orthopedics. The campus houses the Cancer Center, which is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and the American College of Surgeons. A new 28,000square-foot Emergency Department provides increased capacity for the community. Women’s Hospital, a 134-bed facility, is home to one of the area’s most experienced neonatal intensive care teams. The hospital’s Level II and Level III unit has been providing care to critically ill newborns since 1990. The hospital’s da Vinci robot provides minimally invasive surgical care for gynecology patients. Annie Penn Hospital has 110 acute-care beds. It features Cone Health Cancer Center at Annie Penn, LeBauer HeartCare at Annie Penn and

specialty clinics such as an Endoscopy Center of Excellence. Annie Penn Hospital has been a national leader in patient satisfaction. Cone Health Behavioral Health Hospital offers pediatric and adult services. The 80-bed facility offers a variety of mental health and substance abuse programs. Today Cone Health is committed to expanding that tradition of excellence and becoming a national healthcare leader. •

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

HEALTHCARE

Triad Care

Back to the Future for Medicine emember the days when doctors made home visits, and kindly explained the lifestyle choices needed to fix the problem instead of just prescribing an expensive pill? Remember the saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? Triad Care does! Triad Care is founded on two principles: individual health and vitality is one’s most valuable asset, and maintaining optimum health and wellness is good business. Triad Care’s goal is to increase wellness for company employees by coaching each person to improve health. This optimization of professional care and wellness of individuals equals a reduction in insurance-related costs, which is simply good business.

Triad Care’s program is based on the successful and award winning Asheville Project of 1996. This evaluation showed that employers could empower employees to manage their chronic disease, improve their overall health and decrease healthcare costs. This project also showed that in addition to saving money on premiums, companies could save on overtime costs by

certified pharmacist who is specifically trained to understand the specific risks and benefits of each medication, and how they interact with each other.

reducing absenteeism due to illness and doctors’ visits. Increased productivity of healthier employees could also increase profits. Triad Care works individually with companies to provide a health care program that is affordable and meets the practical needs of the each company with no “cookie cutter” choices. Programs can be designed to meet the growing needs of the company over several years. Individual, personal and one-on-one visits are managed by Triad Care, allowing the company’s staff to continue their own work. Companies working with Triad Care can expect to increase their profits through decreases in health care premiums, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity of healthier employees. One specific way Triad Care can save companies money is by sitting down with employees and a 34

e www.greensborochamber.com

The benefits to employees include incentive programs, improved quality of life and personalized support. Since you can’t treat what you can’t see, many people struggle with hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol and don’t even know it. Biometric screens and health risk assessments provide valuable information to the patients. On-site chronic disease management provides accountability, education and advocacy for the employee. Triad Care does not eliminate the need for a personal physician, but works with the employee’s physician, providing lab work and information they might not otherwise get. Employees save money by not having to take time off to go to the doctor for chronic disease management. Employees that don’t have a chronic disease can participate in wellness programs that helps insure they stay healthy and meet their personal health goals. While Chronic Disease management and Employee Wellness programs are the heart of what Triad Care does, they also understand the impact acute illnesses have on companies. Many companies can not afford the space or manpower for an on-site clinic. Triad Care’s mobile clinic

can reduce over utilization of health care services, and save money on overtime costs by reducing the time employees are out for doctor visits. Triad Care’s mobile unit can be scheduled for onsite clinic hours. In this economy, businesses need to get ahead of the curve and maximize any advantage they can. See how Triad Care can give your company an advantage by decreasing our health care costs and increasing the productivity of your staff. •

SENIOR LIVING

A Place to Enjoy Your Golden Years ith Greensboro’s sprawling parks, rich arts culture, endless shopping and dining options and postcard-beautiful places to live, seniors are finding it’s the perfect place to start anew. You will find dozens of retirement communities that feature independent living, assisted living, nursing and memory care. Easy access to healthcare is available in every direction, and opportunities abound for seniors to get involved in the community. The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce offers seniors the chance to make a difference in our community through the Chamber’s unique program,

Leadership Greensboro Seniors. Graduates of the program continue to meet periodically to stay abreast of current affairs in our community. •

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e

WORSHIP

A Place to Pray eligious men and women shaped much of Greensboro. Quakers founded Guilford College; Greensboro College and Bennett College are affiliated with the United Methodists; to our west is Wake Forest University, affiliated with the Baptist faith. Greensboro is also home to the nation’s first, and only, pluralistic Jewish boarding school; the American Hebrew Academy is situated on a beautiful 100-acre campus, and is part of a thriving Jewish community in the Triad. Also, the Piedmont Interfaith Council hosts the annual “Ecumenical

Celebration of Thanksgiving” to highlight our spiritual heritage. Greensboro is a tapestry of faith and community where any and all belief systems are welcomed. Colorful strands, tightly woven gather us all together in such a way that you are part of a community full of faith, strength and love for all. • Trinity Episcopal Church

First Presbyterian Church Greensboro, NC

e www.greensborochamber.com

Greek Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Greensboro, NC

Our Lady of Grace Church

Temple Emanuel, Greensboro, NC

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

2-J Painting & Powerwashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Greensboro Coliseum Complex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Bernard Robinson & Company, L.L.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

The Greensboro Ice House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Carolina Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Greensboro Science Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

CN Hotels - Best Western Plus Greensboro Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Greensboro Transit Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

CN Hotels - Best Western Plus Windsor Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Guilford Technical Community College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

CN Hotels - Comfort Inn Wendover Plaza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Higher Education Area Transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

CN Hotels - Hampton Inn Greensboro East . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Hilton Garden Inn Greensboro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

Columbia Forest Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

P.A.R.T. - Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

CommunityOne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Pennybyrn at Maryfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Cone Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover

Prudential Yost & Little Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Grand Rental Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

VF Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Greensboro Aquatic Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage - Jeanette Bishop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Village Profile’s Exclusive New Online Member-to-Member Email Marketing System

Introducing

The ConvergenceBusinessNetwork.com provides all participating advertisers an exclusive (member-only) email marketing system to drive new online revenue to your business. Our member-only, email marketing system is a dynamic business-to-business, member-to-member online marketing service that allows you to promote your products to other businesses individually, by business category or to the entire chamber membership in text, audio, video and coupon formats.

w Exclusively available to Chamber members w Multi-media dynamic messaging includes Text, Audio, Video and COUPON for only 5¢ per email

w Our Pay-Per-Email System places no demands on monthly minimum use plans

w An R.F.P. response is programmed into the system for more immediate Return On Investment between Chamber members

w Upon converting your chamber’s online publications, all advertisers will be emailed a login and password to use the email marketing system

In today's turbulent times, the only certainty is change. With Bernard Robinson & Company, you have stability and ingenuity you can rely on. In business since 1947, we have enjoyed serving the attestation, accounting and tax needs of individuals, businesses and organizations for over 65 years. We offer direct access to partner-led teams with extensive industry experience and deep technical expertise. We are responsive, interactive and quality-driven. At Bernard Robinson & Company, client service is not only our mission, but also our passion.

A Village Profile company

ONLINE

MOBILE

IPHONE

www.villageprofile.com

ANDROID

DIGITAL

For more information about our Convergence Publishing Programs® call 800-600-0134 x220 or e-mail jcn@villageprofilemail.com

GREENSBORO Lifestyle Magazine™ e