THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER PRESENTED BY:
AM CONNECT SET FOR FRIDAY
The Blount Chamber is hosting AM Connect on Friday, January 8 at 8:15 a.m., sponsored by Epic Nine.


AM Connect is a virtual networking event designed to offer members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and to gain exposure for their business or organization.

AM Connect is open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business. Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the Chamber membership. 
If you've been wanting to host a coffee and the waiting list was too long, why not get on the list to sponsor one of our AM Connect virtual coffee clubs in 2021?

Benefits of attending virtual networking:
  • Meet others that you may not have met at an in-person coffee.
  • Extend your reach outside of driving area.
  • Meet members located outside the county.
  • Multiple opportunities to meet others in smaller group breakout rooms.

Contact Jessica Hahn at jhahn@blountpartnership.com  
TN DEPT. OF HEALTH VACCINATION PLAN
Plan to Include Certain Critical Infrastructure Businesses
 
The Tennessee Department of Health has released version 3.0 of the Tennessee Covid-19 Vaccination Plan. Previous versions of the document have laid out early vaccination plans which have largely included healthcare and emergency services workers. Today’s version is partly based on the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations from December 20 and sheds new specifics on who will be eligible for future vaccinations. Many Tennessee counties are in phase 1a2 and are moving swiftly. Today’s Plan gives an outlay of what phase 2a will look like and defines each category. According to the Plan, Phase 2a will include social services, commercial agriculture, commercial food production, corrections staff, and public transit. Phase 2b is slated to include transportation and postal workers, public infrastructure, telecommunications, and utility/energy. Grocery and some retail workers are listed as being eligible in Phase 3.



Vaccine Overlayment Plan:
GUIDE TO NEW PPP CHANGES
A GUIDE has been prepared by the US Chamber of Commerce to help businesses anticipate and understand the potential changes to the new & additional PPP Funding included in the aid packaged signed into law this week.

The KEY thing to know is that businesses who previously took advantage of the program will be eligible for a 2nd round of loans. Also, 501c06 organizations are now eligible to apply.

THE MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES WORKFORCE PIPELINE & EMPLOYER HIRING PRACTICES
Learn about the hiring landscape, job opportunities and how employment experiences in the creative and production communities have shifted during COVID-19 and what we can expect looking ahead in 2021. This session is well-suited for job seekers, hiring managers and business owners in ascertaining the business climate. Career opportunities will be discussed along with advice on how to best prepare for workforce needs. This virtual event is presented by Pellissippi State Community College.

January 22 from 12:30-2 p.m.
ARE YOU MAXIMIZING YOUR MEMBERSHIP?
Learn more about the Blount Chamber and the many opportunities that go along with being a member. Learn how to make the most of the benefits afforded to you by joining our webinar on January 13 at 2 p.m.

Register in advance for this meeting

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

R E M E M B E R !
Your membership is a corporate membership. Please encourage co-workers to get involved, educated, network and promote your company via Blount Chamber events and opportunities.
RESTAURANT RECOVERY PROGRAM
Cafe
The Restaurant Recovery program is a 4-week virtual course for owners and operators of restaurants and foodservice businesses. It provides the tools and resources to help adjust restaurant business models in response to the global pandemic and customers’ changing needs and expectations. 

Those who sign up will take part in twice-weekly 90-minute webinars that will be taught in cohorts by industry experts, and each participant will have the opportunity to receive one-on-one coaching and have access to industry and subject-matter experts, such as attorneys and accountants, while also attaining tools and resources to navigate the road forward. 

Topics covered in the sessions include navigating risks and regulations, managing menu and supply chain, optimizing marketing efforts and channels, employee management, plus more.

Interested restaurant professionals can learn more about the program and submit an application at https://www.proofincubator.com/knoxville. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 15, 2021, and the kickoff webinar for the series is slated to begin on Jan. 26, 2021. 
JOIN THE MAP PROJECT
Believe it or not, people still use paper maps.

That's why the Blount County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be partnering with the award-winning marketing and cartographic team of Town Square Publications to produce our Community Street Map and Resource Guide. This publication will help you market your business directly to area business owners, new residents and visitors for the next 18-24 months. Over 10,000 copies will be distributed via the Chamber of Commerce and through 150+ high traffic distribution points.

Advertising your business and our community via this print and online publication is very economical, but space is limited. A Town Square Publications representative will be contacting you soon but please don’t hesitate to reach your representative by calling the sales and marketing team directly at (865) 221-8877 or email marketing@tspubs.com to review the details and options.
MAKE A BREAKFAST DATE
STEP UP YOUR NETWORKING GAME
The January 29 edition of soft skills classes offered by the Blount County Public Library is quickly approaching.

This Zoom Webinar session is entitled "Networking Strategically." Build a network that is beneficial and strategic. Learn how to avoid networking traps and break out of the mold in order to advance project and professional goals.

All participants will earn .5 CEUs per session for participating. They will also receive an email survey two months after workshop participation to assess application of new ideas.
WEBINAR CALENDAR
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center is hosting a myriad of online training webinars to assist you in all facets of your businesses. Take advantage of training opportunities with the SBDC at no cost.

January 19 from 9-10:30 a.m.
January 8 from 9-11 a.m.
What's next on your leadership journey?

January 27 form 9-10:30 a.m. ($29)
Would you like to learn how to engage your audience, communicate clearly, and feel confident while leading virtual presentations?
Join a FREE Grow With Google workshop on January 15 at 10 a.m. to help you grow your small business. REGISTER HERE

Learn how to manage work and life tasks more effectively using Google tools. Whether you want to build a budget, create a meeting agenda or organize your priorities, these best practices will boost your productivity.

In this session you will learn how to:
• Use templates in Google Sheets to build a personalized to-do list
• Use templates in Google Docs to create a meeting agenda
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
January 4-10

January 11-17
January 13 -- Maximize Your Membership

Save the Date
BE SURE YOU'RE FOLLOWING US
If you aren't following us on social media, you must. We are constantly updating information as each day progresses. So, give us a like and stay up-to-date as we move through this crisis.
 
 
And follow tourism updates here:
Here's a great way to offer Member-to-Member deals using your chamber member account. Check the deals.

Members can post Coupons and Discounts to this page at no charge. Click Here
REMEMBER WHEN . . .
Topping the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1972 was "Brand New Key" by Melanie. It was known also as "The Roller Skate Song" due to its chorus.
NEWLETTER SPONSORS