Future Focus: AAF District 3 Leadership Conference
Apr
12
to Apr 13

Future Focus: AAF District 3 Leadership Conference

AAF District 3 is hosting a day of professional development sessions to help energize you and your team as you think about what’s next. From artificial intelligence to branding to creating an inclusive workplace, there’s something for everyone.

Tickets are just $75 and include every session, lunch and access to the District 3 American Advertising Awards showcase.

Learn more and get your tickets: aafdistrict3.org/leadership-conference

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How Culture Affects Typography with Nikki Villagomez
May
23
6:00 PM18:00

How Culture Affects Typography with Nikki Villagomez

  • The Barrel Room at Protagonist Beer (LoSo) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Nikki Villagomez is a nationally recognized speaker on typography. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a BFA in Graphic Design. After working as a designer in New York City, she moved to her home state of South Carolina where she became a full time freelancer. Nikki is the founder and former president of the South Carolina chapter of AIGA. She has been an educator teaching Graphic Design and Typography at the University of South Carolina and the University of Akron. Currently, Nikki lives in Charlotte, NC and serves as Chief Marketing Officer for BRC, a CPA and advisory firm based in Greensboro, NC. She has maintained her blog, culture+typography, for over 13 years.

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2024 American Advertising Awards Gala
Mar
7
6:00 PM18:00

2024 American Advertising Awards Gala

Join us at our gala celebration for the AAF Charlotte 2024 American Advertising Awards on March 7th at Big Chill.

We look forward to this event every year, to see the creative community come together to honor a year's worth of hard work amongst peers. We can’t wait to spend an amazing evening celebrating the Charlotte advertising community.

We will have a cocktail hour from 6-7 pm and the show will begin shortly after 7. The bar will be open until 10 pm so you can mingle with fellow creatives and advertisers. Attire is business/cocktail. Visit our Facebook page to see photos from previous galas.

Tickets are now on sale! If you have any questions, please reach out to charlotteaaawards@gmail.com.

ATTENTION: Unless you purchased a table, seats will be first come, first serve.

PARKING INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE

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AAF Happy Hour Event
Feb
22
6:00 PM18:00

AAF Happy Hour Event

Stop by after work for a beer (or NA bevvy) and some pre-award mingling, bowling, and shuffleboard with your fellow ad-lovers! We will be hosting at El-Thrifty from 6-8pm on Thursday Feb 22nd.

Our semi-private room includes 2 bowling lanes, shuffleboard and couch seating. Access to the bar along with servers taking care of our event.

This is a free event! All members will receive one complimentary drink ticket.

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2024 American Advertising Awards: Deadline Extension
Jan
6
to Jan 10

2024 American Advertising Awards: Deadline Extension

Entries submitted after during the deadline extension period will incure a $10 upcharge. See below a breakdown of member and non-member pricing for this extension for the 2024 AAF Charlotte American Advertising Awards.

Deadline: Wednesday, January 10, 2024, by 11:59 pm

Members: Single Entry is $110 / Campaign Entry is $125

Non-Members: Single Entry is $135 / Campaign Entry is $155

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ArtPop Speaking Event
Nov
15
6:00 PM18:00

ArtPop Speaking Event

Wendy Hickey, a seasoned advertising professional who founded ArtPop Street Gallery, will join AAF Charlotte to discuss her experience in the industry and how ArtPop came to be what it is today. From transitioning out of the corporate world into the nonprofit sector, Wendy will share how her extensive OOH career prepared her to launch ArtPop, the mission and impact of the organization in Charlotte, and its transformative approach to OOH advertising.

  • Light appetizers will be provided and Hopfly has a food truck on-site for additional food options
  • One (1) drink ticket is included with event ticket purchase
  • Hopfly has a small parking lot with reserved signs. Street parking is also available on surrounding streets

Members can attend this event for FREE. Be on the lookout for an email with a code you can use at checkout. For additional questions, please reach out to contact.aafclt@gmail.com

All non-members can purchase tickets HERE

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2024 American Advertising Awards: Early Bird Submissions
Nov
15
to Dec 22

2024 American Advertising Awards: Early Bird Submissions

Early Bird pricing for the 2024 AAF Charlotte American Advertising Awards entries includes a $10 discount. See below for a breakdown of member and non-member pricing.

Early Bird Deadline: Friday, December 22, 2023, by 11:59 pm

Members: Single Entry is $90 / Campaign Entry is $105

Non-Members: Single Entry is $115 / Campaign Entry is $135

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2023 Halloween Dodgeball Tournament
Oct
19
6:00 PM18:00

2023 Halloween Dodgeball Tournament

It's that time again! Join us October 19th at VBGB Beer Hall & Garden for dodgeball, drinks and some Halloween fun! Whether you're signing up with your coworkers or want to participate as an individual, we've got a spot for you in this year's tournament. Teams of 6-10 people are allowed and will play 2-3 rounds. Winners will receive a special prize.

There will be a costume contest as well so come dressed to impress and ready to play! Spectator tickets are also availbe for those who would prefer to watch from the sidelines with the AAF Charlotte Board.

Event tickets include one drink ticket per person 🍻 (NA beverages available)

Purchase Tickets Below:

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Ad HYPE: Networking Bingo
Jun
7
6:00 PM18:00

Ad HYPE: Networking Bingo

Join us for our first event in the AAF Ad HYPE series: Networking Bingo! Ad HYPE events are an opportunity for young professionals to network, learn about the industry, and enjoy some awesome guest speakers. Not a young professional? That's okay! These events are open to everyone, because it's never too late to learn more about the industry.

For this event: Get the chance to talk to industry professionals one-on-one and learn about their experiences and how they’ve led them to where they are in their careers now. The industry has undergone many changes over the past few years, and our seasoned professionals will talk you through what you need to know to be a successful young professional in advertising, design, production and creative.

Enjoy a free drink on us — drink tickets will be available when you arrive.

Bringing business cards is encouraged but if you do not have one, we will have a station to create your own at the event.

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Workshop: Up Close & Personal with Aaron Draplin
Apr
21
10:00 AM10:00

Workshop: Up Close & Personal with Aaron Draplin

AAF Charlotte & UNCC Charlotte welcome Aaron Draplin to Charlotte, NC for 2 big events; Speaking & Workshop. You may have seen his Ted Talks, Logos, Band Posters, and design weaved throughout pop culture over the last few decades, but have you seen Aaron up close and personal? Now is your chance. Spend the evening, spend the day, or spend both with Aaron.

Tips, Tricks, Techniques, Tales, Threats, Tragedies and Triumphs from the DDC. -

Space is very limited for the Workshop. Keeping it cozy so you have all the one-on-one time you desire. Aaron is known to hang around with enthusiastic attendees for as long as they want.

Get the inside scoop with Aaron Draplin of Draplin Design Co. and learn what goes on behind the scenes at the DDC! He’ll give an in-depth walk through of some of his existing projects and answer questions in an intimate setting. He'll show you the finer points of his logo making process, from sketch to iterations to finalizing. Feel the power of pencil on paper! Unlock something in your hands and in your mind! Adobe Illustrator tips, tricks and techniques will be offered up from our questionable existence! Questions answered. Riddles solved. Enigmas discussed. Don’t miss out!. You will leave with a pdf of every trick and tip shown and a bag of merch. Workshop may go longer if people want to stay and work longer.

Tickets are $150 per person (includes lunch, hands on workshop, and DDC merch swag bag). Only 25 spots available.

The workshop will take place in classrooms Macy 106 A & B and parking will be validated.

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Speaker Event: Up Close & Personal with Aaron Draplin
Apr
20
6:00 PM18:00

Speaker Event: Up Close & Personal with Aaron Draplin

AAF Charlotte & The One Club welcome Aaron Draplin to Charlotte, NC for 2 big events; Speaking & Workshop. You may have seen his Ted Talks, Logos, Band Posters, and design weaved throughout pop culture over the last few decades, but have you seen Aaron up close and personal? Now is your chance. Spend the evening, spend the day, or spend both with Aaron.

Aaron James Draplin of the Draplin Design Co. lives and works in Portland, Oregon. He makes stuff for rock bands, comedians, restaurants, sporting goods and leftie politicians. He’s traveled the world telling his story, with over 470 speaking fiascos under his belt. He co-created Field Notes with Jim Coudal, and their memo books are sold worldwide. His seven Skillshare classes are raging along, teaching design enthusiasts of all ages. He recently released his first two typefaces on ddcfonts.com. His first book titled “Pretty Much Everything” came out on May 17, 2016 on Abrams Books, which incredibly, is in its twelfth printing. The roster of DDC Merch is up to 320 products and growing! You’ll find those goodies at DDC merch tables from coast to coast or in the DDC online shop.

Cocktail Hour 6-7 Your chance to network with folks from all over the Southeast as Aaron draws a crowd. Check out the brand new RSVP nighlife destination event space and settle in for a very special evening.

Speaking 7-8 AAF Charlotte & One Club Members Free

$20 for non-AAF members (includes a drink ticket and entry)

Can't make it in person? Sign up for $10 to get a live broadcast link. Link will be emailed day of event.

Light apps during cocktail and networking hour on a first come first serve basis. Additional food and drinks are available for purchase through the duration of the event.

Aaron will have a merch table set up at the event be sure to stop by!

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Speaker Event: Dean Browell
Mar
22
6:00 PM18:00

Speaker Event: Dean Browell

Tough Talk About Generations: Generational Differences, Misconceptions, and Waning Usefulness in Targeting and the Workplace

Boomers, Millennials, Generation X, Generation Z… Generations have gone from handy birth-year segmentation to massive descriptors of entire populations - that are often completely wrong. In this session we will use Dean and Feedback’s behavioral research, graduate studies, personal anecdotes and pop culture to explore each generation’s unique roles. However we will also challenge the notion that generations are effective or even helpful ways to segment audiences.

About Dean

Dean Browell leads Feedback’s research as resident PhD with a passion for how generations interact online. His work can be seen across many industries including tourism, automotive, retail, healthcare, and education. Dean served for six years as a Board Member of the Society for Healthcare Strategy & Market Development (SHSMD) and sits on the boards of The Poe Museum and University of Richmond’s Institute on Philanthropy. A co-author of the book Don't You Forget About Gen X, Dean teaches Social Media Research at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Business and is a co-founder of the cultural education project Hidden In Plain Site.

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American Advertising Awards Gala
Feb
23
6:00 PM18:00

American Advertising Awards Gala

Join us at our gala celebration for the AAF Charlotte 2023 American Advertising Awards on February 23th at The Terrace at Cedar Hill.

We look forward to this event every year, to see the creative community come together to honor a year's worth of hard work amongst peers. We can’t wait to spend an amazing evening celebrating the Charlotte advertising community.

We will have a cocktail hour from 6-7 pm and the show will begin shortly after 7. The bar will be open until 11 pm so you can mingle with fellow creatives and advertisers. Attire is business/cocktail. Visit our Facebook page to see photos from previous galas.

Gala tickets are now available for purchase. We will have a limited number of tables available to reserve (for a total of 10 seats). If you have any questions, please reach out to charlotteaaawards@gmail.com.

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AAF Gives Back
Dec
8
6:30 PM18:30

AAF Gives Back

This holiday season, we're giving back by creating school supply kits for Classroom Central. These kits will be distributed to students through Classroom Central's Free Store program. 📚

Join us on Thursday, December 8 at The Fairwood 226 as we come together to assemble the kits and enjoy one free drink on us as thanks! 🍻 You do not have to be an AAF Charlotte member to attend this event, but please RSVP.

Parking info: There is free street parking on Youngblood Street and free parking in the lot at 2923 Youngblood Street.

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American Advertising Awards: Early Bird Submissions
Dec
2
to Dec 16

American Advertising Awards: Early Bird Submissions

Early Bird pricing for the 2023 AAF Charlotte American Advertising Awards entries includes a $10 discount. See below for a breakdown of member and non-member pricing.

Early Bird Deadline: Friday, December 16, 2022, by 11:59 pm

Members: Single Entry is $80 / Campaign Entry is $95

Non-Members: Single Entry is $105 / Campaign Entry is $125

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Halloween Dodgeball Tournament
Oct
27
6:00 PM18:00

Halloween Dodgeball Tournament

DODGEBALL IS BACK! Join us October 27th at VBGB Beer Hall & Garden for dodgeball, drinks, and some Halloween fun! Whether you're signing up with your coworkers or want to participate as an individual, we've got a spot for you in this year's tournament. Teams of 6-10 people are allowed and will play 2-3 rounds. To participate, you must register here. Winners will receive a special prize.

There will be a costume contest as well so come dressed to impress and ready to play!

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May
14
4:00 PM16:00

AAF Charlotte FC Tailgate ⚽️

We’re wrapping up the 2021-2022 season with our first-ever soccer tailgate! Join us in Uptown on Saturday, May 14th at the Gōl CLT tailgate for the Charlotte FC vs. CF Montréal match. We will have a private section at the tailgate for AAF members and friends.

There are only 30 spots available, so register today! You will receive a wristband on arrival, which includes two drinks on us. 🍻 Food from Bodega Food Wagon will be available on-site but is not included in admission.

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Apr
7
6:30 PM18:30

Wieden+Kennedy | The Inspiration Series Premiere w/ Rick Boyko

Join AAF Charlotte, BooneOakley and The One Club Carolinas at Brewers at 4001 Yancey as Rick Boyko presents the premiere screenings of Dan Wieden’s Inspiration followed by his partner David Kennedy who passed in December. Attendees of the Raleigh and Charlotte screenings will be the first to view these Inspiration Series and are invited to join us for a special Q&A with Rick afterward.🍻

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Feb
24
6:00 PM18:00

American Advertising Awards Gala: ADDYs in Wonderland

We’re ecstatic to be hosting an in-person gala for the 2021 American Advertising Awards.

Join us for ADDYs in Wonderland, our gala celebration for the Charlotte 2021 American Advertising Awards on February 24th at The Terrace at Cedar Hill.

We look forward to this event every year, to see the creative community come together to honor a year's worth of hard work amongst peers. We can’t wait to spend an amazing evening reconnecting with and celebrating the Charlotte advertising community.


We will have a cocktail hour from 6-7 pm and the show will begin shortly after 7. The bar will be open until 11 pm so please stay and indulge in Wonderland with us — we’ve missed you!

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Talent Retention and Recruiting. Who’s going, who’s staying, and why?
Feb
10
6:00 PM18:00

Talent Retention and Recruiting. Who’s going, who’s staying, and why?

A virtual panel with a candidate, two recruiters, and a hiring manager.

We are all living and working in a world that no one has experienced before. The pandemic accelerated the work-from-home model and put candidates in the driver’s seat. Employees are now more concerned with lifestyle, mental health, satisfaction at home, making more money, and more flexibility. How can employers entice employees to stay and new ones to join? How do candidates navigate finding a job in this environment? Learn insights from our panelists as we dive into the experience.

Host:

Kyle Boyd - VP, Group Account Director at Mythic

Moderator:

Laurie Donato - Co-Founder & Creative Director at nez&pez

Panelists:

Kristen Rosselli - Managing Director, NC + TN at Creative Circle

Ashley Porto - Assistant Vice President, Practice Director at Robert Half, Marketing & Creative Marketing & Creative

Brady Bone - Freelance Creative + Design Director

Sara Garces Roselli - EVP, HR & Operations at Mythic

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Dec
18
to Jan 7

Awards Virtual Entries

American Advertising Awards

Honoring the best work of 2021.

» Through Friday, Jan 7th, 2022 by 11:59 pm

» Membership Entry Fee: Single: $90 | Campaign: $105

» Non-Member Entry Fee: Single: $125 | Campaign: $145

» VIRTUAL ONLY! See below COVID-19 changes.

» Email charlotteaaawards@gmail.com if you have any questions about your entries.

To learn more about the 2021-2022 Charlotte American Advertising Awards drop-off dates and entry rules and guidelines click here.


COVID-19 Award Changes

The American Advertising Awards competition rules, categories and entry procedures for 2021-2022 have been modified to allow for virtual judging.

  1. This year all entries WILL NOT require a physical submission as part of the entry process. All entries can be handled online in the OpenWater software. This means the judges will not require a physical printout or physical sample of the entry to judge.

  2. In all categories where a physical printout is typically needed, entrants are allowed to upload a written description, video, photography and/or any digital examples of the entry to help with judging.

  3. With this in mind, there WILL NOT be a physical entry drop-off location this year. If a check needs to be mailed please send it to, 5970 Fairview Rd. Suite 610, Charlotte, NC 28210 (Attn: AAF Charlotte).

 

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Dec
1
to Dec 17

Awards Early Bird Virtual Entries

American Advertising Awards

Honoring the best work of 2021.

» Early Bird $10 off on each entry

» Through Friday, Dec 17th, 2021 by 11:59 pm

» Membership Entry Fee: Single: $80 | Campaign: $95

» Non-Member Entry Fee: Single: $115 | Campaign: $135

» VIRTUAL ONLY! See below COVID-19 changes.

» Email charlotteaaawards@gmail.com if you have any questions about your entries.

To learn more about the 2021-2022 Charlotte American Advertising Awards drop-off dates and entry rules and guidelines click here.


COVID-19 Award Changes

The American Advertising Awards competition rules, categories and entry procedures for 2021-2022 have been modified to allow for virtual judging.

  1. This year all entries WILL NOT require a physical submission as part of the entry process. All entries can be handled online in the OpenWater software. This means the judges will not require a physical printout or physical sample of the entry to judge.

  2. In all categories where a physical printout is typically needed, entrants are allowed to upload a written description, video, photography and/or any digital examples of the entry to help with judging.

  3. With this in mind, there WILL NOT be a physical entry drop-off location this year. If a check needs to be mailed please send it to, 5970 Fairview Rd. Suite 610, Charlotte, NC 28210 (Attn: AAF Charlotte).

 

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Oct
28
5:00 PM17:00

Virtual Speaker Series Event with Rishad Tobaccowala

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Re-Invented Marketing.

What our industry looks like moving forward.

Rishad Tobaccowala is a Senior Advisor to the Publicis Groupe, most recently serving as the Chief Growth Officer and Chief Strategist of the Groupe. Tobaccowala was named by BusinessWeek as one of the top business leaders for his pioneering innovation and TIME magazine dubbed him one of five “Marketing Innovators”. He is in the Ad Age Interactive Hall of Fame and has received a lifetime achievement silver medal award from the Chicago Ad Federation.

Rishad will review the big changes around us (globalization, demographics, tech and COVID-19), speak about how we can thrive and remain relevant in a transformed marketing landscape, and share a simple framework called the ABCDE of marketing, then we will move into Q&A.

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Rishad is also the author of “Restoring the Soul of Business: Staying Human in The Age of Data” which helps people think, feel and see differently about how to grow their companies, their teams and themselves to remain relevant in transformational times.    

Rishad is also the Chairman of The Tobaccowala Foundation which helps 10,000 people in India gain better healthcare and education. Rishad has a BS in Mathematics from the University of Bombay and an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago.

The first 25 people to register will receive a signed copy of Rishad's book: Restoring the Soul of Business!

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May
20
5:30 PM17:30

In-Person Speaker Series Event with a Virtual Tim Roan

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Enjoy a free beer with us at Camp Northend

Join us for this in-person event with Tim as he’ll be calling us via Zoom from Berkeley, CA. Having spent much of his career in agencies, Tim made the move to creative leadership roles on the client-side, serving as ECD for in-house agencies, including his current role at Away. Tim will speak about the opportunities and challenges in making that shift, what it takes to be successful on both agency- and client-side, and how the work is evolving at Away. You can learn more about Tim below or feel free to review his impressive credentials on LinkedIn.

Happy hour starts at 5:30pm with the presentation beginning at 6pm.

This event is free to our members using the membership promo code. All ticket buyers will also receive a free drink from NoDa Brewing.

 
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A little about Tim

I was an advertising account guy for a long time. I started and sold a garden design business. I’ve been in two rock and/or roll bands. I was a writer/performer on a sketch comedy TV show. I started the catchphrase “that shit is kodak”. it hasn’t caught on yet. but that’s neither here nor there. I make advertising. and I've been lucky to make some great things, as well as a few mistakes, at FCB NY, Mullen NC, BBDO NY, and Wieden+Kennedy Portland before going in-house at Lyft and, now, at Away. If i may be so bold, I’ve been recognized by some very nice organizations: ADC, Addy, Archive, Cannes, Clio, D&AD, Directory, Echo, Epica, London International, Mercury, NY Festivals, Obie, One Show, Webby. I currently live on a cloud with my wife Vicki, son Lincoln and daughter Harriet.

timroan.com

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Mar
18
5:00 PM17:00

Virtual Speaker Series – Strategy On Creative

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Strategy on Creative

Panel Discussion hosted by Taylor Bryant

With great strategy, comes great creativity. Find out how these awards winning strategists use effective product assessment, market definition, media analysis, and budgetary choices to result in a strategic marketing plan—which is never the perfect plan but somehow works.

This will be a panel discussion hosted by Taylor Bryant with strategists from local and regional companies. If you feel uncomfortable with public speaking please feel free to email your questions to contact.aafclt@gmail.com and Taylor will ask them.


Taylor Bryant (moderator)

Marketing, Advertising and Branding Executive at Mythic

Charlie Elberson

VP Strategic Insights at
Wray Ward

Shaun Stripling

Global Brand Strategy at Lenovo and formerly Chief Strategy Officer at MullenLowe

Megan Carrigan

Director of Strategy & Experiences at Union

Rachel Cobb

SVP Strategy & Planning at Mythic

Stephanie Spicer

SVP, Director of Strategy at LGA


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Feb
27
11:00 AM11:00

Awards Trophies & Winners Books Pickup

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Pickup your American Advertising Awards Trophy and Winners Book

Winners Books and Trophies will be available to pick up on Feb 27th from 11 - 4pm at Hygge.

Enter through Not Just Coffee and you’ll see us in the right side Hygge conference room.
Address: 1026 Jay St, Charlotte, NC 28208

For any questions please contact us at charlotteaaawards@gmail.com


OUR PARTNERS

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