South Sound Showdown Preview Night: Student Showcase + Networking
About this Event
THE SOFT OPENING A Tacoma Rising Event
Every great venue has a soft opening before the doors open for real. This is ours.
For eight weeks, a cohort of high school and college students has been doing what most people only talk about: building a real business from scratch. From July 7 through August 27, they planned, pitched, and produced the South Sound Showdown — our signature chili cook-off landing September 19. This is the night they show you what they built.
The Conversation You Need to Hear First
Before the students take the stage, we are sitting down with Luke Erickson of United Sales NW for a fireside chat every restaurant owner in Tacoma needs to hear. Luke is breaking down grease traps, the alternatives, and what it actually means for your operation. If you own or operate a restaurant in this city, this is the room to be in.
What to Expect
4:00 PM — Networking
4:30 PM — Fireside chat with Luke Erickson, United Sales NW (approx. 30 min with Q&A)
5:00 PM — Student presentations: the vision, the plan, and the work behind it
5:15 PM — Live panel with Reid Fetters and the student cohort
6:00 PM — Event closes
The students present the Showdown the way founders present a venture. Then Reid joins the cohort for a live panel, putting them in front of a real audience for the kind of interview experience no classroom can replicate.
See the Showdown Before September 19
Because this is a soft opening, the room will already be set. Restaurant tables staged and named, so you can walk the floor and see precisely what September 19 will look like before a single bowl of chili is served.
How to Get Involved
The South Sound Showdown raises money to fund student scholarships and awards, cover event costs, and keep Tacoma Rising's doors open. The Soft Opening is your first and best chance to be part of it.
- Sign up for the silent auction
- Lock in a sponsorship
- Claim a volunteer spot
- Donate
- Or simply show up and get involved
Come see what these students built. Then help us bring it to the city on September 19.
Learn more about what we do at https://therisingcities.com/events/2026
Reach out to us directly by emailing [email protected]
Photo & Video Release
By purchasing tickets and attending this event, you acknowledge and agree that Tacoma Rising LLC and UrbanWork LLC may take photographs and videos during the event. These images and recordings may be used for marketing materials, websites, social media, and other business-related purposes at their discretion. By purchasing a ticket, you grant permission to be photographed and filmed during the event and release any rights to the photos and videos taken.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
