Day 1 · Marquee Event
The Launch Tank
A Shark Tank-style youth pitch competition where students pitch real ideas to local leaders, mentors, and investors — with sponsors seated as judges.
August 14–16, 2026Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa
Where the next generationlaunches forward.
A three-day, hospitality-grade expo connecting students, entrepreneurs, professionals, and sponsors — engineered for real-world exposure, mentorship, and momentum.
Powered byMARRIOTT
Organized byInc. to Inc.
Backed byCommunity Partners
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Choose your path
Reserve your spot
General Admission
All-access weekend pass
[GENERAL_ADMISSION_PRICE]
per attendee
- Keynotes, breakouts, expo & pitch finals
- Networking with sponsors and mentors
- Optional VIP & banquet add-ons
Need an invoice or team booking? Talk to the organizer
Our Mission
We empower students by giving them real exposure, real mentors, and real momentum.
Launch Pad bridges the gap between classroom and career. Through hands-on experiences, professional connections, and an editorial event environment, students leave with clarity, confidence, and a defined path forward.
01
Exposure
Direct contact with employers, founders, and industry mentors across three days.
02
Confidence
Pitch, present, and connect in a high-trust setting designed to elevate every student.
03
Connection
Long-term relationships with sponsors, peers, and community leaders that outlast the weekend.
The Experience
Five distinct moments. One unforgettable weekend.
Every component of Launch Pad is designed to put students in the same room as the people, ideas, and opportunities that change their trajectory.
All Three Days
02
Breakout Sessions
P.A.T.H. to Success — career, entrepreneurship, leadership, and skill-building tracks led by industry professionals across multiple paths.
Expo Hall
03
Career Expo
Direct engagement between students, families, sponsors, and businesses — a curated talent and opportunity marketplace.
Mainstage
04
Keynote Speakers
Inspirational and educational presentations from leaders shaping their fields, with prime sponsor participation slots.
Closing Night
05
Awards Banquet
A high-visibility hospitality-grade celebration recognizing student achievement, success, and the partners who made it possible.
Why Launch Pad
This isn’t an event.It’s a pipeline.
Launch Pad was engineered to convert classroom potential into real-world momentum — for students, sponsors, vendors, and the community partners shaping what’s next.
For Sponsors
A high-visibility platform aligned with purpose.
- Speak, judge, and brand across a Marriott-grade venue
- Pipeline development with rising talent
- Community investment with measurable impact
For Vendors
Direct access to students, families, and decision-makers.
- High-traffic expo placement
- Ideal for colleges, workforce programs, and brands
- Premium hospitality setting
For Students
Real-world momentum that no classroom can replicate.
- Pitch in The Launch Tank
- Meet mentors and future employers
- Leave with clarity, network, and a path forward
For Community Partners
Co-create the next generation of regional talent.
- Aligned with workforce, education, and youth missions
- Visible partnership across all three days
- Shared impact with respected community leaders
Sponsorship
Pick the level of impact that fits your brand.
Seven sponsor tiers — from $250 student scholarships to $25,000 corporate partnerships. Pay in full, pay a deposit, or request an invoice / ACH for procurement teams.
Highest Community Impact
Corporate Sponsor
$25,000
- Branded event T-shirt
- Pioneer recognition in future events
- Community Investment Award
- 6 rooms · 2-night stay
Best for Brand Visibility
Title Sponsor
$10,000
- “Presented by” messaging on all materials
- Keynote speaking opportunity
- Vendor booth + judge seat
- 4 rooms · 1-night stay
Gold
$5,000- Speaking opportunity
- Vendor booth + judge seat
- On-stage recognition
- 3 rooms · 1-night stay
Silver
$2,500- Vendor booth
- Event recognition
- 2 rooms · 1-night stay
Bronze
$1,000- Vendor booth
- 1 room · 1-night stay
Community
$500- Vendor booth
- Company recognition in program
Direct Student Impact
Sponsor a Student
$250
- Funds a scholarship for one student
- Include an item in the swag bag
In-Kind Sponsorship
Contribute what you make best.
Provide products, services, or experiences in exchange for visible recognition across the weekend.
Printing & Marketing
Materials & Supplies
Gift Cards & Prizes
Entertainment
Sponsor spots are limited and approved on a first-come basis. Talk to the organizer
Vendor Opportunities
Get in front of the next generation of buyers, talent, and families.
Vendor booths sit at the heart of the Career Expo — high-traffic, mission-aligned, and curated for direct engagement with students, parents, sponsors, and partners.
Colleges & universities
Workforce programs
Service providers
Entrepreneurs
Education companies
Youth-serving orgs
Community brands
Career-focused tech
3
Days of expo traffic
Marriott
Premium venue
Direct
Student access
Get Your Ticket
Three days. One room full of opportunity.
Built for students, families, professionals, and anyone ready to be in the room where momentum happens.
Most popular
General Admission
[GENERAL_ADMISSION_PRICE]
- Full 3-day access
- Keynotes + breakouts
- Career expo + pitch finals
Discounted
Student
[STUDENT_TICKET_PRICE]
- Student-only pricing
- Priority breakout seating
- Mentor matchmaking
Premium
VIP + Awards Banquet
[VIP_PRICE]
- Reserved seating
- Awards Banquet access
- VIP networking lounge
Group of 4 or more?
Group ticket pricing — [GROUP_TICKET_PRICE] per attendee.
Checkout
Secure your spot in three clicks.
Choose your path, pick a level, and lock it in. High-ticket sponsors can pay a deposit or request invoice / ACH for procurement teams.
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Get Launch Pad updates by email & text.
Early sponsor news, vendor openings, ticket releases. No spam.
Partner Ecosystem
Built with the partners shaping the next generation.
Launch Pad is co-created by a coalition of organizations committed to opportunity, hospitality, and economic mobility.
It
Lead OrganizerInc. to Inc.
Justice-impacted entrepreneurship, mentorship, incubation, and ownership pathways.
Visit site
M
Powered ByMarriott
Hospitality partner — Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, host venue.
Visit site
JI
Strategic PartnerJUST Insurance
Wealth-building and empowerment-oriented insurance solutions for justice-impacted families.
Visit site
HS
Community BrandHustle Smarter Barber Studio
Community-rooted brand focused on precision, creativity, and confidence.
Visit site
SJ
Advocacy PartnerSmart Justice Consulting
Advocacy and consulting for people navigating the criminal justice system.
Visit site
[PARTNER_LOGO_ASSETS] — drop SVG/PNG logos in to replace these tiles.
About the Organizer
“We don’t hand students a future. We put them in the room where they can build it.”
Damon Thrash
Founder · Inc. to Inc.
Damon Thrash leads Launch Pad with a mission rooted in entrepreneurship, justice-informed innovation, and youth empowerment — building bridges between students, sponsors, and communities ready to invest in what comes next.
Students (middle school through college), parents, educators, professionals, mentors, and anyone invested in the next generation of talent and entrepreneurship.
Companies and organizations seeking high-visibility brand placement, talent pipeline access, and meaningful community impact — from local brands to enterprise corporate teams.
Each tier includes a unique blend of speaking, judging, vendor placement, branded recognition, and on-site Marriott accommodations. See the Sponsor section for full breakdowns.
Yes. Booths are assigned in the order received and capped to keep the expo curated and high-traffic for every vendor.
Absolutely. Sponsorships at $5,000 and above include invoice / ACH options for procurement and corporate payment workflows. Use the Request Invoice button or Contact section.
Yes — the $250 Student Sponsor tier funds a scholarship for one student to attend, plus the option to include an item in the swag bag.
Yes. Launch Pad is powered by Marriott and hosted at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa across August 14–16, 2026.
Use the Contact section to send a message, request a callback, or reach the team directly.
Yes — we welcome partners aligned with workforce, education, youth, and entrepreneurship missions. Reach out via Contact to start the conversation.
Join the Launch Pad list — we’ll keep you in the loop with event updates, early access, and partnership opportunities.
Talk to the team
Sponsor, partner, or speak — we’ll get back fast.
For sponsorship inquiries, vendor questions, partnership ideas, or press, use the form or reach the organizer directly.
Email[ORGANIZER_EMAIL]
Phone[ORGANIZER_PHONE]
OrganizerDamon Thrash · Inc. to Inc.
VenuePalmetto Marriott Resort & Spa