June 16, 2020
Back to BUSINESS ADVOCACY Local & Regional Interactions
Message from the President
Greetings Members -

As our business community begins the process of recovery, the Chamber is continuing to focus on bringing you newly formatted events and programs as well as continuing to be a source for actionable intelligence that can help you make smart decisions and minimize risk. 

Research is beginning to tell us that consumers are becoming more comfortable and confident in engaging in certain activities. The following information is based on market research compiled by Morning Consult who polls roughly 2,200 US adults on a regular basis. To read the full report, go to https://morningconsult.com/2020/06/09/tracking-consumer-comfort-with-dining-out-and-other-leisure-activities/

  • Consumer interest in going out to eat has risen from a low of 18% at the end of April to now 35% as of the beginning of June. Similarly, consumer interest in retail shopping has come up from a low of 17% to 31% over the same time period.
  • Demographically, men are slightly ahead of women in their desire to eat out with men at 35% and women at 34%. Generation cohorts reflect Gen Z at the highest comfort at 38%, with Millennials at 36%, Baby Boomers at 35% and Gen X at 33%.
  • 30% of those surveyed said they feel comfortable going out to eat in the next month with an additional 22% indicating they will feel comfortable going out to eat in the next 2-3 months.

By participating in the Georgia Chamber’s Resiliency & Recovery Task Force, we will continue to bring you information on emerging trends, best practices and policy recommendations that will reduce risk to businesses, their workforce and customers. This week the Task Force will be looking at talent and re-training and how Georgia can continue to remain the nation’s top state for doing business. 
Back to BUSINESS MEMBER NEWS Celebrating our Members
New Members
Retention Blitz
*Partnership Level Cornerstone Members

Synovus **
**Sustaining Level Cornerstone Members

Chamber Chat with Seigler's Karate Center
Offering both virtual and in-person classes, Seigler's Karate Center offers classes to students of all ages, as well as self-defense, fitness and MMA for adults! This family-owned business was established in 1982 and is the only long-standing and trusted Karate Center in Augusta. Let's listen in to learn more!
2020 Pandemic Membership Dues Relief
Your membership with the Augusta Metro Chamber is important to us. Throughout the current economic disruption, we are offering a number of opportunities to remain a member while understanding the current financial constraints our business community is facing. Our path to economic recovery depends on how we are able to achieve more together, and we look forward to traveling that road with all of our members advocating for our collective success.
Back to BUSINESS MEMBER PROGRAMS Chamber Events & Programs
Today at Noon, Virtual Women In Business
6.16.2020 - The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce is honored to present an informative webinar featuring Command Sergeant Major Delia Quintero of the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon . As the first female Command Sergeant Major, CSM Quintero exemplifies female leadership in our community. She will share her development as an Army leader in the Department of Defense, inform us on recent news regarding the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon, and communicate how Fort Gordon continues to be an economic driver as the business community enters a period of recovery. 
Sponsored by:
Save the Date, 20th Annual Golf Classic at Topgolf Augusta
9.28.2020 - The 20th Annual Augusta Metro Chamber Golf Classic, marks a milestone for this traditional golf outing, and the Chamber is pleased to host this year’s event at Topgolf Augusta on September 28, 2020 . Held at the new, entertaining golf and party venue in Augusta, teams will compete in tournament games from 12:00-2:00 pm followed by Happy Hour with appetizers and drinks in the VIP Pavilion.

The Augusta Metro Chamber has several new exclusive sponsorship opportunities available.  Click here to see available sponsorship opportunities
Presented by:
This Week, Students2Work 2020 Summer Program Kicks Off
Thank you to the following companies for hosting a student intern/interns for the Students2Work 2020 program:

ADP
Augusta Metro Chamber
Augusta Office Solutions
Bank of America
Boys and Girls Club of the CSRA
Bruster’s Ice Cream
Carole’s Fabric/Decorator’s Outlet
Development Authority of Augusta
Doc Savage Heating and AC
Fulcher Hagler, LLP
Georgia Power
Ireland Electric
Office of Mayor Hardie Davis
Reeves Construction
Rendition InfoSec
Richmond County School System
Spherion
Starbucks
TranterGrey
Universal Plumbing
University Health Care System
Walton Options
WrightOne Paint & Body

A special thank you to TaxSlayer for sponsoring the Students2Work student gift bags.
Back to BUSINESS REOPENING Tips & Resources for Safely Reopening
June is National Safety Month
Now, more than ever, safety is crucial both inside and outside the workplace, which is why the National Safety Council will still be recognizing National Safety Month® in June. Observed annually by NSC, the nation’s leading nonprofit safety advocate, National Safety Month focuses on saving lives and preventing injuries, from the workplace to anyplace.

Given the current state of the world, the month will look a little different than past years. Instead of focusing on a single topic each week, we will provide real-time, relevant resources on a variety of topics for keeping workers safe in our new normal. Sign up now to access free materials on pressing topics.
CORNERSTONE MEMBERS Presidents Level Cornerstone Members
JOIN US TODAY Join the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce