Are Patent Trolls Exhausted? A host of legislative efforts to curb so-called “Patent Trolls” are being pushed in a variety of venues, including an anti-troll statute introduced in Tennessee. But what is a Patent Troll? Are they really the source of the problem? And is it worth dismantling the patent system to kill them off? Baker Donelson hosts this intellectual property roundtable featuring speaker W. Edward Ramage as part of the ABA Intellectual Property Roundtable Series. Today, Noon-1 p.m., Baker Donelson Center, 211 Commerce Street, First Floor Special Events Center, Nashville. Program and lunch are complimentary. Registration: [email protected].

THURSDAY, APRIL 10

H.G. Hill Realty Community Listening Session

Brentwood residents are invited to hear a presentation and share input on the development of the company’s holdings at the former Murray Ohio site, located at 219 Franklin Road, and the Tennessee Baptist Convention site at the corner of Maryland Way and Franklin Road, which was acquired last fall. The company will not be presenting development plans during the sessions, rather it is seeking to engage in a dialogue with interested citizens to help guide and inform internal planning. These meetings do not replace the formal process required by the City of Brentwood planning department and zoning code. Meeting will be held in the auditorium of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, at 5001 Maryland Way, 6:30-8 p.m.

Chamber North Quarterly Meeting

Chamber North is hosting a series of quarterly meetings specifically for North Nashville businesses to discuss growth and activities, including public safety and traffic/transportation. Chamber North serves Chamber members in the 37207, 37208, 37189, 37218 and 37228 zip codes, including MetroCenter, Jefferson Street/Germantown, Trinity Lane, Dickerson Road, Whites Creek, Briley Parkway and Bordeaux. Fontanel Entertainment Events and Dining, Studio Gallery, 4225 Whites Creek Pike, Nashville Information: nashvillechamber.com, 743-3063.

Real Estate Investors Network

Rutherford County REIN Subgroup. Meets the first Monday of each month to discuss topics of general interest to real estate investors. Monday, 6:30 p.m., Keller Williams Real Estate Office, 450 St Andrews Drive, Murfreesboro. Information: reintn.org. Additional April opportunities include:

  • Thursday, April 17: Williamson County Lunch Group. Rehabbers, Builders, Commercial, Mini-storage, Wholesalers, Private Lenders, Transaction Funders, Hard-Money Lenders, Bankers, Title Attorneys, Realtors, and Vendors discuss deals, the state of the market, and how they can help each other prosper. 11:15 a.m., Bosco’s Restaurant & Brewery, 2000 Meridian Blvd, Ste 110, Franklin.
  • Saturday April 19: RE Bookkeeping Basics in Quickbooks & Real Tax Planning for Investors with Attorney, Accountant & Investor John Hyre. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., REIN Education Center – Belle Meade, 4525 Harding, Ste 200, Nashville.
  • Monday, April 21: Landlording Subgroup. Join other REIN members to share ideas and discuss the many areas of landlording and renting property. Tips and tricks, contracts, and policies to run your business better. 6:30 p.m. REIN Education Center – Belle Meade, 4525 Harding, Ste 200, Nashville.
  • Thursday, April 24: Ca$h Flow & Millionaire Maker Games. Learn financial strategies without having to invest any of your own cash. These games are fun and educational ways to learn about wealth creation, managing assets and liabilities and escaping from the “rat race.” 6 p.m., REIN Education Center, 2416 Music Valley Drive, Ste 151, Nashville.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12

Nashville Junior Chamber Crawfish Boil

The Nashville Junior Chamber hosts its 15th annual Ragin’ Cajun Crawfish Boil, 4-9 p.m. at Nashville’s Cumberland Park. In addition to all you can eat crawfish and Louisiana-style sides, this year’s Crawfish Boil will include a premium beer festival with pours from Goose Island Brewery and Kona Brewery, among others. Proceeds benefit Every Girl Counts and Nashville Junior Chamber Charities. Information: www.ragincajunboil.org.

The Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival

A family-friendly celebration of spring and Japanese culture. The festival will take place on at Nashville’s Public Square, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and will begin with the Cherry Blossom Walk. Admission is free. Festival highlights include a full day of live Japanese music and dance, a roving “Candyman,” martial arts demonstrations, children’s activities, artists, vendors and a variety of Japanese food, including special Japanese menus from some of Nashville’s favorite food trucks. Proceeds benefit the mission of the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival Committee to plant 1,000 cherry trees – 100 each spring over 10 years – to help beautify Nashville’s landscape.

TUESDAY, APRIL 15

Discover Healthcare Opportunities in Shanghai

The Nashville Export Assistance Center and the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai present a program to learn more about China’s rapidly growing market for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, hospital services and senior care. The program begins at 6 p.m. with a live question and answer session with successful U.S. health care executives in Shanghai. Information: 736-2225, [email protected].

Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Social Enterprise Shared Interest Group

An opportunity to contribute to the community of local, regional, national and international social entrepreneurs, and learn about the movement from local and regional thought leaders. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Centresource Lab, 1312 5th Avenue North, Nashville. Information: www.nashvillechamber.com, 743-3063.

Free Legal Clinic

Held the third Tuesday of each month at Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, 149 Public Square, Lebanon. 4-6 p.m. Sponsored by Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, a private non-profit law firm that provides free legal representation in civil and administrative legal matters. Participants are asked to arrive as close to 4 p.m. as possible. Legal advice will be provided by licensed attorneys on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointments will be taken after 5:30 p.m. Advice cannot be provided on criminal matters. Information: 451-1880.

WEDNESDAY, april 16

Business Matchmaking Demonstration

Join the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce as it introduces Business Matchmaking, an intuitive, cloud-based software that helps pair qualified, growing companies with ready-to-purchase buyers. Powered by technology from Sagents Partners LLC, this new offering helps growing businesses in Middle Tennessee connect with procurement offices in Fortune 1000 companies. 3-5 p.m., Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, 211 Commerce Street, Suite 100, Nashville. Information: nashvillechamber.com, 743-3063.

CEO Conversations with Young Professionals

YP Nashville is providing young professionals a unique opportunity to learn from and interact with some of Middle Tennessee’s top CEOs in a small, intimate setting. The format will be multiple roundtable discussions between one CEO and several small groups of young professionals. Confirmed speakers include:

  • Kent Adams, president and CEO, Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
  • Beth Seigenthaler Courtney, chairman/CEO, Seigenthaler Public Relations
  • John Huie, president, Creative Artist Agency
  • Dawn Rudolph, chief experience officer, St. Thomas Health
  • Ralph Schulz, president and CEO, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Carl Whitmer, president and CEO, IASIS Healthcare Corporation
  • Rob Wigington, president and CEO, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority
  • Uzi Yemin, chairman, president and CEO, Delek US Holdings, Inc.

3-5:15 p.m., Spark, Lipscomb’s Idea Center, 3252 Aspen Grove Drive, Franklin. Information: 743-3063, nashvillechamber.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17

International Business Council Luncheon

“Reforming Reform in China: The State, Markets and Foreign Enterprises” is the topic. Dr. Ken DeWoskin, chairman of the Deloitte China Research and Insight Center, and Chris Cooper, Americas leader, Deloitte Chinese Services Group, will share their points of view on useful questions and best answers in regards to China, ranging from general economic, regulatory, and market trends through sector and M&A activities, reform promises and prospects, and MNC strategic responses. 11:30 a.m.-noon, registration and networking. Noon-1 p.m., program and lunch. Baker Donelson Event Space, 211 Commerce Street, Nashville.

Chamber West Wine & Cheese with Metro Elected Officials

An informal meet-and-greet with Mayor Karl Dean, Chamber CEO Ralph Schulz and Metro Council and council-at-large members who represent the Chamber West Advisory Council area. This is a free event, but registration is required. Hampton Inn & Suites-Green Hills, 2324 Crestmoor Rd., Nashville. Information: 743-3053, nashvillechamber.com.

Williamson County Lunch Group

Rehabbers, Builders, Commercial, Mini-storage, Wholesalers, Private Lenders, Transaction Funders, Hard-Money Lenders, Bankers, Title Attorneys, Realtors, and Vendors discuss deals, the state of the market, and how they can help each other prosper. 11:15 a.m., Bosco’s Restaurant & Brewery, 2000 Meridian Blvd, Ste 110, Franklin.

MONDAY, APRIL 28

Public Affairs Roundtable

State Reps. Charles Sargent, Glen Casada, Jeremy Durham and state Sen. Jack Johnson will report on activity and key issues from the Tennessee General Assembly at the Public Affairs Roundtable conducted by the Williamson Chamber and aired on WC-TV Channel 3, Williamson County’s Government and Educational Channel. 7:15 a.m.-8:30 a.m., Williamson County Administrative Auditorium, 1320 West Main Street, Franklin. Information: [email protected]

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

Multimodal Mobility Study Open

The Multimodal Mobility Study will provide comprehensive strategies for achieving an optimum balance of transit service and taxi/limousine services, bicycling, walking and automobile circulation and parking. The study focuses on the downtown area and will be integrated with other plans for the region, including the Strategic Transit Master Plan, Music City Center Vision Plan and the MPO Regional Transportation Plan to ensure a cohesive and reliable strategy for the most effective mobility for the region. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Downtown Nashville Partnership, 150 4th Avenue North. Information: www.nashville.gov/Public-Works/Capital-Projects/Multimodal-Mobility-Study.aspx