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 Looking for a huge networking opportunity? Come out to Calhoun's in Maryville this Thursday, May 14 at 3:45 p.m. for our
Chamber Social where you'll get to meet new Chamber members. This is one of our most well attened socials, so come out and start building those relationships. Members that joined within the last three years receive a free beverage ticket.
And, if you're a little nervous about how to network or feel like you're not getting the most out of it, please mark May 26 on your calendar as we offer a
free network training class with Raeus Jae Cannon. The class takes place from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Chamber office, and she will give you techniques to improve relationship building. Please RSVP to
Amy if you're interested.
 As you've probably seen, the Chamber is offering a trip to Spain this November. If you've been wavering or not quite sure what the trip involves, join us for a
webinar conducted by the travel company on Monday, May 18 at 5 p.m. at the Chamber office. This is a great way to really see and understand how you can be part of this amazing trip to Costa del Sol. RSVP to
Amy.
 It's also great to see another business holding a ribbon cutting. Advance Auto Parts becomes the sixth local business to hold a
ribbon cutting ceremony for its grand re-opening this year. Come join us Friday, May 15 at 1 p.m. at its new location: 230 S. Hall Rd., Alcoa, TN (next to Kroger). So let's support this local business.
CIRRUS AIRCRAFT COMES TO BLOUNT COUNTY
 In case you missed it, Gov. Bill Haslam announced last Wednesday that Cirrus Aircraft is establishing a new customer experience center, call the "Vision Center," at McGhee Tyson Airport. The new location will create 170 jobs and represents a $15 million investment.
See the video of the announcement.
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 roundtable 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.
GLENN SHEPARD RETURNS IN JUNE
 Internationally recognized management guru and bestselling author Glenn Shepard returns to the Blount Chamber on June 2 to present his seminar entitled "Be the Manager Other Managers Envy and Bosses Can't Wait to Reward" This seminar will help prepare managers that are ready to move from management to leadership.
Additionally, he'll show you how to motivate your people, not just manage them. How to get them to follow you because they believe in your goals, your skills as a leader, and they are committed.
He'll also explain why the Millennials require such a different supervisory style than Gen X or Baby Boomers, and how to apply Dr. Ken Blanchard's (author of The One Minute Manager) principles of situational leadership to get all the different generations to work together as a team.
Register today for $129. When three or more enroll, the fourth person attends for FREE.
TRAVEL TO SPAIN
 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. The cost is $2,999 per person (double occupancy).
Find out more at our webinar on May 18 at 5 p.m.
Enjoy superb cuisine that includes 14 meals consisting of seven buffet breakfasts and seven dinners. Also, enjoy sightseeing 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.
DOWNLOAD THE BLOUNT PARTNERSHIP APP
 As a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Blount County is home to some of America's most spectacular views and breathtaking scenery, ranking high among Tennessee's 95 counties in tourism activity. If you are looking to locate or expand your business, you have found the ideal solution. The Blount Partnership-as a cooperative effort between three of the county's key development organizations: Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Board and the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority-promotes economic growth and stability, fosters community development and enhances the overall quality of life.
Use this free app to access news and to navigate the Blount Chamber economic development information, member business and upcoming area events for Blount County. The app also links you to the Blount Partnership websites and social pages.
Search for Blount Partnership at the iTunes and Google Play app stores or download here:
Apple |
Android
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 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
We jump in our wayback machine as we return to this week in 1965 when "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter," performed by Herman's Hermits, was in the midst of a three-week run atop the Billboard Singles Chart. It was recorded as an afterthought in two takes. According to lead singer Peter Noone, the song was well known to British bands; it would often be performed at birthday parties, substituting the name of the girl whose party was being celebrated, i.e., "Mrs. Smith" or "Mrs. Jones" instead of "Mrs. Brown."
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