Cultivate with Alex Canavan Live & In-Person
Join us for Cultivate Live with Alex Canavan at Vanderkamp on Thursday, November 12.
This intimate mastermind-style event brings together ambitious professionals, business owners, founders, and community members for dinner and conversations that go beyond traditional networking.
Hear a keynote from Arel Moodie, followed by a live recording of Cultivate with Alex Canavan featuring Jeff Knauss of Arcovo AI.
Come ready to meet new people, exchange ideas, and leave with fresh perspectives you can take with you into whatever you’re building next.
Who is this Event For?
This event is open to all, not just to the women in our community. We invite any growth-minded professional, business leader, or founder to join us for dinner & valuable conversations.
The Itinerary
4:30 PM | Doors Open for Cocktail Hour
Sponsored by 1911 Established
Grab a welcome drink (selection of cider, wine, and spirits courtesy of 1911 Established), settle in, and start connecting with fellow guests before the evening officially begins.
5:45 PM | Welcome + Introductions
Alex Canavan kicks off the evening with a warm welcome, introductions, and a look at what’s ahead.
6:00 PM | Arel Moodie Keynote
Unlock the Power of Your Team: How to Create the Ultimate Work Environment
In times of challenge and change, success isn’t just about WHAT stands in front of us, it’s about WHO stands beside us.
But without prioritizing team development, individuals can start seeing each other as rivals instead of teammates, leading to unnecessary conflict and competition. When we strengthen how we relate, we transform motivation, direction, and build powerful units capable of fighting the same problems together.
In this interactive, humor-filled, and inspirational presentation, former Disney+ expert host and lifetime entrepreneur Arel breaks down how people can move away from an “us versus them” mindset to create more connected teams who work, and win, together. By delivering an unforgettable shared experience, Arel leaves teams energized and inspired, ready to unlock their full potential and power.
7:15 PM | Transition Break + First Course
Settle in for dinner as the first course is served. Take some time to reflect on Arel’s keynote and continue the conversation with those at your table.
7:30 PM | Dinner + Roundtable Conversations
By the time dinner is served, you will have already met your table. These guided roundtable conversations are designed to take those new connections deeper, past the surface, and into the kind of dialogue that stays with you.
8:15 PM | Dessert + Jeff Knauss Live Podcast Recording
Enjoy dessert and listen to a conversation between Alex Canavan and serial entrepreneur Jeff Knauss.
Jeff has built, scaled, and sold multiple companies. Now he joins Alex for an honest, unscripted conversation about the power of the pause, and why stepping back is sometimes the boldest move a founder can make.
8:45 PM | Closing Remarks + Open Networking
Wrap up the evening with closing remarks, then stick around to continue the conversations and connect with fellow guests.
The Venue
Vanderkamp is a wilderness retreat set on 850 remote acres in Upstate New York. Its mission is centered on creating immersive, welcoming experiences that help people reconnect with the natural world.
With its expansive property and intimate gathering spaces, Vanderkamp was a natural setting for Cultivate’s first standalone live experience.
Meet Our Host: Alex Canavan
Alex Canavan is the Founder of the CNY Women's Network, a community-driven media and leadership platform based in Syracuse, New York, and the host of Cultivate with Alex Canavan, a podcast featuring 140+ conversations with founders, executives, and community-builders since 2023.
Meet Our Speakers: Arel Moodie & Jeff Knauss
Arel Moodie is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and tech co-founder of Talkadot who has delivered keynote addresses in 48 U.S. states and internationally to more than 750,000 people, including audiences at the White House and Fortune 500 companies.
Moodie is one of a small number of people worldwide certified in Adult Development Theory and has appeared as an expert host on Disney+'s "Family Reboot."
A previous guest of Cultivate, Arel Moodie will return to the show to lead the evening's keynote.
🤝 Connect with Arel on LinkedIn!
Jeff Knauss is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and philanthropist based in Central New York.
He is the CEO and co-founder of Arcovo AI, a Syracuse-based artificial intelligence automation company, and previously co-founded Digital Hyve, a digital marketing agency later acquired by Butler/Till.
Knauss is a recognized voice in Central New York's entrepreneurial and technology community and is also a previous guest of the Cultivate podcast.
Also a previous Cultivate guest, Jeff Knauss will sit down with Canavan for a live conversation.
🤝 Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn!
Sponsored by 1911 Established
1911 Established is keeping the drinks flowing throughout the event with a selection of cider, wine, and spirits.
A division of Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, NY, 1911 Established builds on generations of apple-growing tradition to create premium beverages made right here in Central New York.
About Cultivate with Alex Canavan
Cultivate with Alex Canavan is a video-first podcast produced in Syracuse, New York, featuring conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, executives, and community builders. The show is produced by CNY Women's Network.
Onsite production for Cultivate Live is being captured by Cultivate's production partner, Diam Media.
About The CNY Women’s Network
The CNY Women's Network, host of the annual CNY Women’s Summit, is a community and media platform that connects, supports, and empowers women across Upstate New York.
Discover opportunities to expand your network, promote your business, and find inspiration here.
For access to exclusive opportunities, join our membership community, the collective. start an individual or corporate plan here.