Shop Local Raleigh & Greater Raleigh Merchants Association Annual Meeting

JOIN US FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING & APPRECIATION PARTY!

February 25th at Lincoln Theatre

5:00pm – 7:30pm

The Shop Local Raleigh and Greater Raleigh Merchants Association Annual Meeting is a time for members and local business professionals to come together, network, and brainstorm with each other. We will review what’s happening in our local area, hear what SLR + GRMA are up to, and share what’s in store for 2025 and beyond.

As a thank you to our members, sponsors, and volunteers for their support throughout the year we are excited for this opportunity to gather and show our appreciation.

Join us on February 25th at Lincoln Theatre for a casual evening of networking, appetizers, adult beverages, and live music with your Shop Local Raleigh + GRMA pals. All members, sponsors, and volunteers of the organization are invited to attend!

Event Schedule
5:00 – 6:00 | Happy Hour Networking
6:00 – 6:15 | Shop Local Raleigh Welcome Address & Annual Recap
6:15 – 6:45 | Panel Discussion
7:00 – 7:15 | Networking
 

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

All members, sponsors, and volunteers of the organization are invited to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting on February 25th at Lincoln Theatre. This event is free to attend thanks to the generous support from our wonderful sponsors!

Your complimentary registration includes:
  • Access to the annual meeting with networking opportunities
  • 2 drink tickets redeemable for beer + wine
  • Light hors d’oeuvres and appetizers
  • A raffle ticket

Thank you to our 2025 Annual Meeting & Appreciation Party Sponsors!

THANK YOU TO THESE BUSINESSES FOR PROVIDING THE

Raffle Prizes, Gift Bag Goodies, & Delicious Eats

2025 Panelists

Screenshot 2025 02 20 at 3.33.41 PM
Wake Tech Staff Todd Lyden
Screenshot 2025 02 20 at 3.31.33 PM

About our panelists:

Stacey Buescher:
As Managing Director of Operations for Kane Realty, Stacey oversees the day-to-day operations at all commercial properties. Stacey is specifically focused on the retail and office operations side to ensure exceptional customer service throughout all relationships and partnerships. She also oversees the teams that focus on events and marketing, speciality leasing and construction upfits.

Prior to Kane Realty, Stacey started her career at IBM then moved to another local company, ChannelAdvisor. Her career at ChannelAdvisor spanned over 9 years and included various roles on the services side of the business. She led teams that supported over 1,100 US based clients with a wide range of size and scope. During her time at ChannelAdvisor, she effectively grew her teams to appropriately scale as the business’ footprint expanded. Currently, Stacey serves as a board member for Root Elementary Foundation, Marbles, Downtown Raleigh Alliance and YMCA Properties and Facilities Committee.

Stacey was born and raised in Eastern North Carolina but has loved Raleigh since the first day she started college at North Carolina State University. She resides in Raleigh with her husband, Nathan, and two boys, Vann and Boone. In her free time, Stacey loves anything her two boys enjoy!


Todd Lyden
:
Todd has been helping small businesses any way he can since 2006, when he transitioned from higher education to work with entrepreneurs through a regional chamber of commerce. Since becoming a small business center director and regional director for the North Carolina Small Business Center Network, he has been known for assisting bootstrap startups and providing subject-matter expertise.

Todd’s three children are either gainfully employed, finishing their college degree or starting their educational journey. His fourth, furry “kid” just wants to explore Wake County on long walks!

Specialties: Funding and marketing

Phil Mastroianni:
is the co-owner and operator of Ruckus Pizza, Pasta, and Spirits, a popular dining establishment known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse menu offerings and active with Raising a Ruckus, the brands non-profit that fills the call for numerous community requests in the Western Wake area and annually helps to supply over 50 of Wake County schools neediest families with a full Christmas wish list, food and more . Currently with 4 locations and adding two additional locations later this year, Phil has been instrumental in streamlining operations, growing catering, implementing speciality ticketed dinners, year over year revenue growth and identifying expansion opportunities.

Before his tenure at Ruckus Pizza Pasta and Spirits, Phil amassed extensive experience in the restaurant industry, notably serving as Vice President of Operations at Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, which he helped grow to over 100 locations and California Pizza Kitchen.

Phil’s academic background includes studies at UMass Amherst. Originally from Newton, Massachusetts, he now resides in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where he continues to work on brand growth and strategy and contributes to the local culinary scene.

Under Phil’s leadership, Ruckus Pizza has flourished, becoming a beloved spot for both locals and visitors seeking quality food and a welcoming environment.

When not working, Phil enjoys spending time with his wife, his two adult children, two rescue dogs and likes to travel, ski and enjoys taking his family on outdoor adventures.

Video courtesy of Raleigh Media Co.

Annual Meeting Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsoring the Shop Local Raleigh and Greater Raleigh Merchants Association Annual Member Meeting will put your brand in front of over 100 business owners in Wake County. Combine that with promotion on our social media (over 63.9K followers on Instagram, 19K on Facebook, and 30.5K on Twitter), and a newsletter database with more than 40K subscribers, sponsors will reach hundreds of potential new customers.

If you would like to sponsor the event or have questions please contact Jennifer Martin. 

  • 3 parking passes for easy access to the event
  • Verbal recognition and brief description read about your business
  • Social media post on Shop Local Raleigh Instagram highlighting your business
  • Table at event to display company information and interact with guests
  • Inclusion in at least 3 social media posts promoting the event
  • Option to include promo item* for your business in attendee gift bags 
  • Logo inclusion on:
    • Photobooth
    • Stage
    • Marketing materials at event
    • E-newsletter promotions
    • Event landing page with hyperlink
    • Facebook sponsor photo album
  • 2 parking passes for easy access to the event
  • Table at event to display company information and interact with guests
  • Inclusion in at least 2 social media posts promoting the event
  • Option to include promo item* for your business in attendee gift bags 
  • Logo inclusion on:
    • Photobooth
    • Stage
    • Marketing materials at event
    • E-newsletter promotions
    • Event landing page with hyperlink
    • Facebook sponsor photo album
  • Inclusion in at least 1 social media post promoting the event
  • Option to include promo item* for your business in attendee gift bags 
  • Logo inclusion on:
    • Stage
    • E-newsletter promotions
    • Event landing page with hyperlink
    • Facebook sponsor photo album
  • Inclusion in at least 1 social media post promoting the event
  • Option to include promo item* for your business in attendee gift bags
  • Logo inclusion on:
    • Event landing page with hyperlink
    • Facebook sponsor photo album
  • Business name inclusion on:
    • Stage
    • E-newsletter promotions

Showcase your cuisine at the event with menu items to feed at least 125 people.

Email jennifer@shoplocalraleigh.org to discuss sponsorship options.

Promote your brand to attendees by providing at least 125 promo items for the event gift bags.

  • Promo item* for your business in attendee gift bags
  • Logo inclusion on:
    • Event landing page with hyperlink
    • Facebook sponsor photo album