Innovative News For October 2026

Oct 1

8 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, October 2 - 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; find zoom link HERE

Tuesday, October 13 - Let's Get Moving! Healthy movement (even in the office!) throughout the day is a key component to a healthy lifestyle.

Fitness trainer Jacob Rassmusen will take an hour to teach us creative ways to move our bodies while we work...without ever leaving our desk! Let Michelle know at the front desk if you plan to come to this free perk!

Wednesday, October 21 - SizeUp Cherokee Free Demo. SizeUp Cherokee is a new online tool offered by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development.

Jonathan Chambers will present a crash course on the wealth of knowledge being made available to you as a small business owner.

One-hour FREE tutorial

Lunch is included for the first 15 people to sign up at the front desk!

Wednesday, October 21 - National Apple Day. Did you know that there are over 7,500 varieties of apples grown worldwide? On National Apple Day, we'll have a special treat for our members and their guests to celebrate!

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: John & Sarah Pehr [CareConnect Consulting]

Sarah Pehr is the Founder and Principal Consultant of CareConnect Consulting, a healthcare operations firm with a mission to remove barriers so more patients get the care they need. CareConnect partners with growing medical practices to identify where patients, information, and revenue are falling through the cracks.

Sarah helps practices strengthen their teams, simplify their processes, and make better use of technology so they can deliver more seamless, complete care. Her work might include improving how referrals are managed, fixing scheduling bottlenecks, clarifying staff responsibilities, or helping disconnected systems work better together. Drawing on her background in healthcare and technology leadership, Sarah turns complicated operational challenges into practical solutions that improve both the patient and employee experience.

She lives in Woodstock with her husband, their three young children, and two dogs. Outside of work, she enjoys good food, college football, and connecting with other local business owners and leaders.

Contact Info:

Sarah Pehr

770-710-2624

sarah.pehr@careconnectconsulting.com

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

Thursday, October 1 Good Morning Cherokee Breakfast

6:30 - 7:30 AM: Registration & Pre-Event Networking

7:00 AM: Ballroom Opens & Buffet Breakfast Available

7:30 AM: Buffet Closes & Program Begins

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Post-Event Networking

Location:

Cherokee County Conference Center

1130 Bluffs Pkwy, Canton

Speaker:

Misti Martin, Deputy Commissioner, Global Commerce

Georgia Department of Economic Development

Cost:

If you do not have a standing reservation, pricing is as follows:

Chamber Member Advance Registration: $22

Chamber Member Registration: $30

Future Member Registration: $40

If you do not have a GMC standing reservation, you must register by 3 PM on the Tuesday prior to the event to receive a printed name tag and advance pricing. After the 3 PM advance registration deadline, you may register at the price below or pay at the event!

Chamber Member attendees may donate up to two door prizes per company.

Be sure to include your business card on the give away items!

Thursday, October 8 mINgle by IN WDSTK.

Location & Time:

Truck & Tap Woodstock

8640 Main Street

4:30 pm

Located right in the heart of Downtown Woodstock, Truck & Tap offers a relaxed, social atmosphere where you can connect with people who are helping make our community a great place to live, work, and do business.

Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or simply looking to connect with others in the community, come mINgle with us for some great conversations, delicious food and beverages, and discover what makes Truck & Tap so special!

mINgle is an after-hours networking event that brings together members of our WDSTK Community and other professionals from the Woodstock area. We invite anyone who would like to connect with the community inside Woodstock.

Event registration is required HERE

Friday, October 9 Cherokee Chamber Leadership Symposium 2026.

This one-day conference will feature speakers who will share thought provoking information to be used both on the job and in life!

Date & Time:

Friday, October 9th

8:30 AM–3:30 PM

Location:

Falany Performing Arts Center

199 Fine Arts Drive

Waleska, GA 30183

Cost:

$90/Chamber Members

$115/Future Members

Advance registration is required HERE.

Thursday, October 15 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 10/14 is appreciated but not required; onsite registration is available.

Click HERE to register!

Thursday, October 29 City of Woodstock Walking Tours: Weird Woodstock.

Come explore unique & interesting aspects of the city with the Weird Woodstock Walking Tour. This tour will highlight little known stories, funny facts, and unusual historical episodes, each connected to the downtown area.

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.

Thursday, October 29 Women in Business One-Day Conference.

Women are invited to this one-day conference, held in celebration of National Business Women's Week!

Location:

Timbers on Etowah

225 Reformation Pkwy

Suite 202

Canton, GA 30114

Registration Check-In & Networking: 8:30 AM

Program: 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM

CONFERENCE THEME: "FEARLESS WOMEN"

During this one-day conference, Karen Hilton, Dana Lloyd, and keynote/luncheon speaker, Dr. Joy Rohadfox, will share their stories that will encourage and embolden every attendee! The event will also feature a panel who will share their experiences, challenges, and successes in being FEARLESS WOMEN!

COST: Chamber Member Price: $80; Future Member Price: $100

Advance purchase is required. You will receive an email to confirm your purchase.

Sorry, there are no refunds for this event.

For questions and sponsorship information, please contact Deana at Engage@CherokeeChamber.com

Get tickets HERE

Thursday, October 29 - November 8 Venardo's Circus - Woodstock.

The Venardos Circus, a unique broadway-style Circus, is coming to Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta 915 Ridgewalk Pkwy, Woodstock, GA 30188. Thu, Oct 29, 2026 - Sun, Nov 8, 2026.

Created by former Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Kevin Venardos (veh-NARR-dos), the Venardos Circus wraps world-class, animal-free circus acts into a Broadway Musical-style format dubbed “The American Circus with the heart of a Broadway Show.”

From the moment you approach our custom-made, classic, red-and-white striped tent, you will be transported back in time to the golden days of the traveling circus where an amazing assortment of aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, hand-balancers, comedic jokesters, daredevils, magicians and more are waiting with bated breath to dazzle you in what we're sure you'll say is the most intimate and delightful entertainment experience ever! But don't let us speak for you; COME and see, hear, taste, and feel it for yourself!

Doors open one hour before each showtime with preshow entertainment and fun circus photo ops. Classic circus treats like Popcorn, Cotton Candy, House-made all-natural Pink Lemonade, and more are available.

The main event lasts approximately 90 minutes, with a brief intermission. Complete show schedule available at VenardosCircus.com.

🎟 TICKETS HERE

🚙 Free Parking Onsite

Friday, October 30 Morning INfluence by IN WDSTK.

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.

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

Event registration is required.

Location:

Chambers at City Center

8534 Main Street

Woodstock, Georgia

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Event registration is required.

Saturday, October 31 Halloween Skelebration.

This family-friendly event is free to attend and offers activities for all ages, along with free parking. Guests can look forward to trick-or-treating throughout the park, carnival games, mini golf, crafts, pumpkin inflatables, live music, food vendors, giant bubble making, and plenty of playful spooky sights.

Wear costumes, collect treats, and make happy Halloween memories with family and friends at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater from 4 to 8 pm.

More info HERE!

Welcome to our newest members of the Innovation Spot team!

Rebekah Madsen

Vision Accounting

Margaret Ngumi

Clarity Integrative Psychiatry

Kristen Hawkins

Ryan Horton

Amy Murphy

Aligned Health & Wellness

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!

💡 Letting go of the old, embracing the new; this is the key to growth and maturity.

Let us help you level up in your workspace!

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

We are thrilled to provide virtual assistant services through MD Virtual Assist. Are you in need of an extra hand with a variety of tasks such as social media marketing, calendar scheduling, and email campaigns? If it's on your to-do list but not a good use of your time, leave it to Mandy! She can provide dedicated support to executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

Check Out: www.mdvirtualassist.com