Innovative News For July 2026

Michelle Smith
Jun 30
7 min read

Welcome to the Innovation Spot, a flexible coworking solution less than a mile from Downtown Woodstock! This month's newsletter highlights some new members, announcements for upcoming events, updates on exciting happenings this month, and more!

Upcoming Events at The Innovation Spot:

Friday, July 3 - Business Holiday - July 4th Celebration! Our business office will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observation of the 250th birthday of our great nation! Have a wonderful weekend of festivities!

Friday, July 17 - Sure Connexions. Sure Connexions has moved to Fridays! Sure Connexions is an interactive faith-based networking organization that meets at 12:00 PM online through Zoom, and in-person with lunch at The Innovation Spot.

Event is free but reserve your spot HERE

Friday, July 24 -Christmas Eve in July.Join us in the Coffee & Tea Bar in the main building for the mid-year yuletide festivities!

Welcome to the Inspiration Blog! We will occassionally have an article on our website that we want to share with you in our newsletter. In this section, you'll find an excerpt of the article along with a link to our website to finish reading it. We hope to provide helpful business practices and ideas, information about coworking and shared spaces, event planning advice, and many other useful topics!

To Sit or To Stand; That Is the Question

Standing desks might seem a bit trendy today, but they actually come from a long history of use. Artists and architects alike are known for their use of easels and drafting tables, both being forms of a standing desk. In fact, even though it doesn’t seem to be recorded in the annals of history anywhere, many still believe that Leonardo Da Vinci...read more here

Member Spotlight: Tom McWethy [The Echelon Group]

The Echelon Group is a performance-driven customer engagement company that helps organizations increase revenue, strengthen customer relationships, and scale their operations through customized sales and support solutions. Our expertise spans direct sales, lead generation, appointment setting, customer service, technical support, and customer retention across industries including automotive, software as a service (SaaS), telecommunications, legal services, retail, health/medical, and education services.

We become an extension of our clients’ teams, representing their brand with professionalism while delivering measurable business outcomes. Our consultative approach, decades of industry experience, and commitment to continuous improvement allow us to quickly adapt to changing business needs and execute strategies that produce sustainable growth and quantifiable ROI. Whether expanding market reach, improving the customer experience, or accelerating sales performance, The Echelon Group provides the expertise and flexibility to help organizations achieve their goals.

Contact Information:

Email: Sales@theechelongroup.com

Phone: (678) 504-7000

Saturdays April 18-December 19 Farm. Fresh. Market.

Find locally grown produce, jams & jellies, honey, locally raised meats, seafood from the Georgia coast, fresh baked bread and pastries, bath and beauty products, and much more.

Every Saturday 8:30 to noon

at Market Street and Reformation Brewery’s Backyard in Downtown Woodstock

Vendor's List and Vendor Info HERE

Friday, July 3 Georgia Symphony Orchestra America 250 Concert.

As our country prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary, Woodstock is celebrating in the way we do best: by bringing people together.

This special concert is part of Woodstock Celebrates America 250, a series of local events honoring the spirit of Independence Day and the communities that help define the American story. Before the fireworks, the parade, and the full July 4 celebration, join us on July 3 for a beautiful evening of live orchestral music under the open sky.

Set against the backdrop of Downtown Woodstock, this concert will be a chance to pause, reflect, celebrate, and enjoy the shared experience of music with family, friends, and neighbors.

The Woodstock Arts Event Green is one of the best places in the city to enjoy live music outdoors. Families are encouraged to bring blankets or low-profile chairs, settle in on the lawn, and enjoy an evening of music together.

Guests may bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Wine and craft beer will also be available for purchase on-site.

With free admission, general admission seating, and a welcoming outdoor atmosphere, this is a wonderful way for families to celebrate America 250 without the pressure of a formal concert hall experience.

The event is free, but advance tickets are required. Get them HERE.

Saturday, July 4 July 4th Spectacular!

Parade 10:00-11:00 am

Festival 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Fireworks 9:00 pm

For more specifics on places and other exciting features of this celebration, please visit HERE!

Saturday, July 11 Woodstock Summer Concert Series - Midnight Star.

At the third concert in the 2026 series on July 11th, legendary R&B and

funk powerhouse Midnight Star will captivate downtown Woodstock with their signature blend of infectious grooves and soulful melodies.

Time and Location:

7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater

101 Arnold Mill Rd, Woodstock, GA 30188

Click HERE to RSVP and for more details!

Thursday, July 16 Cherokee Chamber Power Hour.

Join us for an hour of fast paced networking with fellow business leaders as well as the Chamber Board Chair, Debra Williams, and Chamber President & CEO, Pam Carnes!

Before the hour ends, you will have the opportunity to share about your business or organization for all to hear! You don’t want to miss this event as we are turning up the power on Power Hour with PowerPoints!

Your name will be entered into a drawing for each Power Hour you attend this year.

One lucky winner will be chosen in December who will receive a PowerPass --

free attendance (non-transferable) to every Power Hour in 2027!

Don't forget to bring promotional items from your business for the share table!

Location:

Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

3605 Marietta Hwy

Canton, GA 30114

10:00 - 11:00 am

Cost: Chamber Member: $5; Future Members: $10

Advance registration by 12 PM on 7/15 is appreciated but not required; onsite registration is available.

Click HERE to register!

Thursday, July 23 2026 Cherokee Mid-Year Check In.

Come for a Cherokee County update including:

Recreation & Parks:

A great place to Live, Work, and PlayCherokee –

an update on the award winning & nationally accredited agency, overall diverse service plan, and current capital projects.

Jay Worley, Recreation & Parks Director, Cherokee Recreation & Parks

Cherokee County Justice Center Campus 2044 and Beyond:

A walkthrough of the long-range master plan and current SPLOST-funded renovations and expansions planned for the county justice campus in downtown Canton.

Scott Gordon, General Services Agency Director, Cherokee County

Innovation & Technology:

How the Cherokee Sheriff's Office is committed to keeping its citizens safe.

Lindsay Harris, Director of Intelligence, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

The program will close with a presentation by Jamie Ensley, Senior Advisor in the Office of Capital Access, U.S. Small Business Administration!

Location:

YANMAR EVO//Center

5889 Old Alabama Road

Acworth, GA 30102

Cost:

Chamber Member Registration: $40

Future Member Registration: $75

Breakfast & Lunch are included.

Please register HERE by 5 PM on Monday, July 20th.

Thursday, July 16 Downtown Woodstock Family Fun Night.

Fun-Filled Summer Thursdays

The Family Fun Night series returns for its fourth season of themed night goodness throughout Summer 2026. This event series takes place on the third Thursday of the month – May through August – from 5pm to 9pm. Activities take place throughout Downtown Woodstock, culminating in a movie on the Woodstock Arts Event Green.

Everyone is invited to this “Super Mario Party” at Family Fun Night! The world & joy of Super Mario Bros is coming to downtown for this very amazing night! The featured movie on the Woodstock Arts Event Green will be “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”.

5:00 - 9:00 pm

More information HERE

Thursday, July 30 City of Woodstock Walking Tours: How Downtown Woodstock Revitalized.

This walking tour will explore the re-development of Downtown Woodstock GA. Beginning in the early stages of the 2000’s, the city underwent a planning process that led to the creation of one of the top and most visited downtown districts in the southeast. This tour will explore how this transformation took place.

Participants will meet at the Woodstock Visitors Center and depart on their walking journey from there; comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Tours begin at 6pm and run every half hour until 7:30pm. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Tickets are $5 each

For tickets click HERE.

Friday, July 31 Morning INfluence by IN WDSTK.

Breakfast is served @ Woodstock Fire Department - Station 14!

Join us for this month for a special Morning INfluence event hosted @ Woodstock Fire Station 14. This month's program offers a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes with Chief Shane Dobson and the dedicated men and women of the Woodstock Fire Department as they share insight into the services, training, and emergency response efforts that help keep our community safe every day.

You will learn more about the department's role in protecting the community, fire prevention initiatives, emergency preparedness, and the advanced equipment and resources used to respond to emergencies. This engaging presentation will provide valuable information to all. So don't miss this opportunity to connect with local firefighters and gain a greater appreciation for the vital work being done to serve and protect Woodstock.

BRING A GUEST and you will be instantly entered in our raffle to win some great prizes and giveaways!

Morning Influence is a networking event which includes breakfast and a brief presentation that focuses on updates given by Greater Woodstock on important issues or services offered that affect the community as a whole.

Location:

Woodstock Fire Department - Station 14

225 Arnold Mill Road

Woodstock, Georgia

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Event registration is required.

Welcome to our newest members of the Innovation Spot team!

Payton Kays

We L♥VE Reviews!

We appreciate you and your partnership with The Innovation Spot! Leaving positive reviews on Google really helps small businesses more than you know. Every review helps, and we thank you in advance.

Click Here to Leave Us a Review!

💡 Peaceful yet invigorating

The Innovation Spot partners with some great local businesses!

See more information below...

It'll Buff Detailing offers a variety of services that will transform your vehicle. They have three fully functioning bays utilized to offer services such as paint correction, ceramic coating, and full vehicle details.

Visit their website by clicking HERE or call 714.714.1325.

You can also visit their new shop location at

195 Stockwood DriveWoodstock, GA 30188

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