 Join us Thursday, Nov. 17 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) to learn more about the Chamber and the many opportunities that go along with being a member by attending. You'll also learn how to make the most of the benefits afforded to you.
RSVP to alawson@blountpartnership.com
The November general election is Tuesday, so be sure to exercise your right as an American to vote. Here are the
precinct voting locations in Blount County. Remember to bring a photo ID. For questions regarding precincts, please contact the Election Commission Office at 865.273.5920.
Read our 59th and 60th installments of The Dialogue at the bottom of this email where we visit with Haley Schweitzer, event director at the
Capitol Theatre and Craig Fernandes, president of
Patriot Threads, LLC
2016 BEST OF BLOUNT AWARD WINNERS
Tourism Award - Metropolitan Knoxville Authority
Bright Future Award - The Golden Age 1942
Large Business of the Year - Newell Brands
Small Business of the Year - Blount County Eye Center
Community Impact Award - Pregnancy Resource Center
Philanthropist of the Year - Jack Campbell
BLOUNT CHAMBER MEMBERS INVITED TO FANTASY OF TREES
RSVP Becky Miller by Nov. 18 with your name, business name and chamber if you wish to attend.
ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE
 In recent years, the Blount County Chamber of Commerce annual meeting was held in conjunction with an anniversary celebration and networking event for our members during January. As the event became more of a social gathering rather than a business meeting, the business portion was removed from this event.
The annual meeting of the corporation will now be held in conjunction with the regular meeting of the Board of Directors in November each year. This year's meeting is set for Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Blount Partnership office located at 201 S. Washington St., Maryville, Tenn. There are currently no items on the agenda for the annual meeting other than the regular report made by President/CEO Bryan Daniels. RSVP to Brenda at
bfarner@blountpartnership.com
Mark your calendar to for attend the Anniversary Celebration set for Jan. 27, 2017 at the Hilton Knoxville Airport. This event promises to be one of the largest networking events in the area.
REGISTER FOR WORKERS' COMPENSATION UPDATE
Jeff Francis, Assistant Administrator Workers' Compensation Division from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, will be at the Blount Chamber on Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 3-4 p.m.
He will discuss the latest updates to the Tennessee Workers' Compensation Act as well as Bureau Rules or Policies and effective dates of those updates and more.
RSVP to Amy to register.
PLACE YOUR AD IN THE 2017 BASICALLY BLOUNT
Basically Blount 2017 lifestyle magazine and membership directory is entering production once again. This annual, full-color lifestyle magazine and chamber membership directory is initially distributed to all Chamber members starting Feb. 2017, along with distribution four times throughout the year via area professional offices, newcomers, visitors, and new businesses all looking to relocate to Blount County.
In addition to intriguing stories and area photography that highlight the best of Blount County, Basically Blount also includes a finger-indexed, color-coded directory and buyer's guide of all Chamber members. Chamber members consistently tell us that they keep Basically Blount on hand throughout the year in order to find business products and services when they need them. In addition to 5,000 lifestyle magazines, we will have a complete online version on both the chamber and economic development websites.
We are pleased to offer a variety of advertising opportunities at cost effective rates. We have contracted with Marcon Marketing Consultants, a local Chamber member, to handle production and ad sales. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Basically Blount, the importance of supporting the Chamber, and how to get your business involved contact Rick Ford of Marcon Marketing at (865) 705-8580. Download the
media kit here.
PARTICIPATE IN SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
 This Nov 26, we want to celebrate Small Business Saturday with you! It's a special holiday created so communities can show love for small local businesses. And it wouldn't be a celebration without businesses like you joining us!
The day was setup to help businesses with their most pressing need -- getting more customers. The day encourages people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The single day has grown into a powerful movement, and more people are taking part than ever before.
If your small business is interested in participating, please
email Amy your logo and specials for the day. We are trying to get the word out about shopping locally at the beginning of the holiday season.
Businesses signed up:
Blount County Eye Center
Blount Discount Pharmacy
Boyd Thomas Clothing
Cycology Bicycles
Cynthia's Natural Market
Downtown Maryville Holiday Crafts
Eden Salon and Spa
Elliott's Boots
Flower Shop, Inc.
Glenstone Galleries
Hwy 411 South Antiques
Jeepism
Little River Trading Company
Little River Trading Company 'Lifestyle'
Louisville Mercantile
Lowe's Drug
Patriot Threads
Roost Home
Rustic Impulse Salon & Boutique
The Village Tinker
Treasures Jewelers
SIGN UP FOR NEXT SOFT SKILLS CLASS
 It's Your Career! That's the focus of free soft skills sessions offered in partnership by the Blount County Public Library, the Adult Education Foundation of Blount County and the Blount County Chamber of Commerce that are scheduled over the next eight months.
Registrations are currently being accepted for the second class set for Nov. 18 entitled, "Make Your Social Media Look Good Using Free Tools." Learn how to sharpen your online presence for a consistent, professional delivery of your brand or image. Explore tools and platforms for easy-to-create designs and beautiful graphics. Bring your laptop or tablet or one will be provided for your use.
All classes are conducted in the Blount County Library's learning lab located at 508 N. Cusick in Maryville and limited to 50 participants. Those interested must register online at
www.blountchamber.com/community/soft-skills. A complete class description is located on the registration site. All classes run from 8-10 a.m. with networking beginning at 7:30 a.m.
The other classes offered include Managing People & Personalities, Tips for Public Speaking, Hiring Good Employees, Motivation and Burnout, Time Management and Managing Change in the Workplace.
CHECK OUT NOVEMBER MEMBER-TO-MEMBER PROMOTIONS
 Check out the November
member-to-member promtions, please do. New offers are being posted weekly, so check out the Blount County Chamber of Commerce Member-to-Member promotions online. This Member-to-Member Promotional Program offers you and your company the opportunity to market your products and services to the membership.
Here's how it works:
1. Submit a PDF of a service, product or discount you'd like to offer to the Chamber membership to
jmuir@blountpartnership.com. Be sure to include an expiration date.
2. An email with all the promotions will be sent out on the final Monday of every month to our member database.
3. All promotions will be posted on
www.BlountChamber.com
SOCIAL MEDIA SHARING FOR SHOPPING BASED BUSINESSES
 Social media has become somewhat of a necessity for all businesses. When it comes to companies that focus on shopping and retail, social media is a must. Why is this? Social media is the easiest (and cheapest) way to generate buzz about your brand. It is critical that shopping focused businesses create posts and share them so consumers can see your products and engage with your offering. Need some inspiration for your next post?
Read more
Learn more about marketing your small business in a digital world, ask questions about social media, and take the time to discuss future campaign ideas. What are you waiting for? It's free with your chamber membership.
Schedule your FREE session today.
If you have any questions regarding your free digital marketing member benefit (
Save Local Now), your digital platform, or online marketing in general please reach out the Blount Chamber's
Rachel Coffman. She is here to help you in the year ahead and will keep you on track as you fulfill your resolutions in 2016.
REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL
 Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!
Communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an economic advantage.
GOT AN EVENT OR NEWS? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT
Is your organization hosting an event in the community? Submit it
here on our community calendar. If it's a tourism event, please email
Ashlee so she can post it on
www.SmokyMountains.org.
Also, please
send us any news releases or good news about your business. We'd love to share it with the community.
REMEMBER WHEN
"Heartache Tonight," by the Eagles, topped the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1979. Although it remained in the top position for only one week, the single sold 1 million copies. It was the Eagles' final chart-topping song on the Hot 100. The recording also received a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
|