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It's
coffee club week, so please join us at Trinity Dental Clinic (1127 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy., Maryville, TN), on Thursday, April 30 from 7:45-9 a.m. It's a great opportunity to catch up with what's happening around the community.
Additionally, the Blount Chamber is seeking your feedback on how we are doing and what we can improve upon. So please take a few minutes to
complete this online survey. If you've already done it, we thank you. We use this information to plan future programs for the community and business professionals.
One more item of interest is the
2015 Chamber Buyers Guide which will be published by the Daily Times on May 20. Make sure your business is in the annual special section.
Did you know, when consumers know that a business is a member of the local chamber, they are 44% more likely to think favorably about it, and are 63% more likely to purchase goods and services from them? So, reserve your space today by calling 865.981.1152. The deadline is Friday, May 8.
23RD ANNUAL TOWNSEND SPRING FESTIVAL
 The
23rd annual Townsend Spring Festival is this weekend, Friday-Saturday, May 1-2 at the Townsend Visitor Center. The Fesitval provides an atmosphere where family and friends of all ages can partake in time-honored Appalachian traditions at the free community event. Parking is $8 per day with proceeds benefiting the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department. Two-day parking passes are available for $12 on site Friday. Additionally, a free shuttle service will provide transportation to and from the different Townsend sites participating in the weekend's festivities from 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. both days.
Click
here for a complete listing of musicians, crafters, demonstrators and food vendors.
EXPORT UNIVERSITY 101
 Here's a great opportunity for businesses looking to expand their reach. Export University 101 is a five-hour seminar designed to provide you and your company with practical tools to initiate or expand into international markets. New and experienced exporters alike will benefit. Companies are encouraged to send employees responsible for letters of credit, international documentation, international sales and /or international marketing.
The seminar takes place at the Blount County Library (508 North Cusick St., Maryville, TN) on Friday, May 15 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The cost is $30 per registrant and includes lunch.
Click here for more information and registration form.
Six speakers will discuss topics like international shipping, incoterms, getting paid by foreign buyers, working capital, business round table with current exporters, technical, financial and management information assistance, how to find export sales in new markets and increase sales in existing markets. There will also be reports on handling future port bottlenecks and the current credit situation for international buyers of your goods.
BLOUNT COUNTY SCHOOLS SURVEY
 Here's another
survey which is not associated with the Chamber that we would appreciate your help with. The Blount County Schools system is looking for input that will provide its administrators and Board of Education members an opportunity to address needed improvements as it works towards its 2016-2021 strategic plan. This survey is only addressing the 21 schools in the Blount County School District. This survey does not apply to Alcoa City or Maryville City schools. All surveys should be submitted no later than May 15, 2015. If you have questions or require more information, please contact Betsy Cunningham at 865-984-1212.
A FEW SPOTS REMAIN FOR BLOUNT TOURISM AMBASSADOR PROGRAM CLASS
 With more than 100 Certified Tourism Ambassdors, the Blount Tourism Ambassdor Program is growing quickly as more people are learning how to turn every visitor encounter into a positive exeperience. BTAP teaches front-line employees and volunteers best practices and ensures that they understand their role in increasing tourism. So, sign up for this FREE class on Wednesday, April 29 from 8 a.m.-noon at the Blount Partnership offices at 201 S. Washington St., Maryville, Tenn.
The Blount Tourism Ambassador Program is a multi-faceted program that serves to increase tourism by inspiring front-line employees and volunteers. When visitors have a positive experience they are more likely to return in the future and also share their experience with others. Everyone benefits - the visitor, the industry, the local economy, and most importantly, the front-line worker. BTAP helps your front-line increase their knowledge of the region; provides answers to the variety of questions received from visitors; and gives your front-line a chance to meet one another, learn from each other's experiences and celebrate together!
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL ENDS APRIL 27 FOR SPAIN TRIP
 The Blount Partnership has joined up with Central Holidays West to offer a nine-day, seven-night vacation trip to Spain and the Costa Del Sol, November 9-15, 2015. The trip departs from Tyson McGee Airport and includes airfare, hotels, meals and day trips. Reserve by April 27 for $2,899 per person (double occupancy) and save $100.
Enjoy superb cuisine that includes 14 meals consisting of seven buffet breakfasts and seven dinners. Also, enjoy sighseeing tours that include entrance fees to Seville, Ronda and the Rock of Gibraltar.
To see a complete itinerary of this fabulous trip and download the registration form
here.
GET TICKETS FOR HOPS IN THE HILLS
 The inaugural Hops in the Hills is coming to downtown Maryville, June 26-27. It will be a yearly craft beer festival celebrating the science and agriculture of the region.
Many craft brewers will be on hand to offer samplings of their beers. In addition, there will be two seminars on "The Growing of Hops" and "Craft Beer 101." Trent Gillard from Hellbender Hops, will be on hand to educate about the growing of hops. In the later, attendees can learn brewing from some of the best experts and brewers in our area, as well as the art of crafting a fine brew.
FREE BUSINESS OPERATION WORKSHOPS
 The Blount County Chamber of Commerce and the Blount County Library have partnered with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center to present 14 free business operation workshops on Google, social media, business marketing and planning, starting a business and government contracting for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Workshops are held at the Blount County Chamber, 201 S. Washington St., Maryville, TN, and at the Blount County Library, 508 North Cusick Street, Maryville, TN. Participants are free to bring their own lunch.
For more information or to attend any of the following workshops, participants are asked to register by clicking on the Training tab at
www.tsbdc.org.
| Location |
Date |
Seminar Topic |
Time |
| Library |
June 11 |
Growth Wheel - Business Legal Issues |
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register Here |
| Chamber |
June 25 |
Getting Ready to Go to the Bank-Business Planning |
9 a.m.-Noon Register Here |
| Library |
Aug. 6 |
Growth Wheel - Business Processes |
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| Chamber |
Aug. 20 |
Social Media |
11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. |
| Library |
Sept. 10 |
Growth Wheel - Choosing Employees |
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| Chamber |
Sept. 24 |
Starting a Business |
9 a.m.-Noon |
| Chamber |
Oct. 8 |
Social Media |
11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. |
| Library |
Oct. 22 |
Growth Wheel - Ownership & Management |
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| Chamber |
Nov. 12 |
Business Planning |
9 a.m.-Noon |
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
In the middle of its six-week run atop the Billboard Singles Chart this week in 1969 was "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" by The 5th Dimension. It is a medley of two songs written for the 1967 musical
Hair.The song is listed at No. 66 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of All-Time.
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| The 5th Dimension - Age of Aquarius |
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