Blount Partnership News & Events

 
What a fun time we had at the afternoon mixer held at the Courtyard by Marriott last Thursday. Check out this Facebook Photo gallery. We'll look for you at the coffee club on April 30 at Trinity Dental Clinic.

Be sure to join us for our next Cash Mob, Wednesday, April 22 from 4-7 p.m. at Boyd Thomas Clothing in downtown Maryville. The first 25 people to attend get a $30 gift certificate courtesy of Foothills Bank and Trust to spend at Boyd Thomas.
 
REGISTER FOR THE BLOUNT TOURISM AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
With more than 100 Certified Tourism Ambassadors, the Blount Tourism Ambassador Program is growing quickly as more people are learning how to turn every visitor encounter into a positive experience. 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!
 
Register online at www.ctanetwork.com. For further information, contact: Deborah Nye at 865.273.1257.
 
SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR READY, SET, MOVE! AWARDS
The Blount Memorial Foundation and Community Outreach is seeking nominations for the Ready, Set, Move! Awards. This recognition award, sponsored by Blount BEneFITs, was established in 2009 to recognize the efforts of Blount County schools and businesses that are taking steps within their organizations to promote and embrace healthy living through creative programs that encourage good nutrition and increased physical activity. Previous winners include weight loss challenges, running clubs and other exercise programs, some of which were long-standing programs and others that were start-ups.
 
Download the nomination form for more information.
 
CITY OF ALCOA UNVEILS NEW VENDOR REGISTRATION AND BID NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
The City of Alcoa now has an online Vendor Registration system to help them better serve the community. The new system allows vendors to quickly register and update details such what products and services they provide as well as contact information. This enables the City of Alcoa to notify vendors of important bid opportunities.
 
Registration Instructions:
1. Go to www.cityofalcoa-tn.gov
2. Select the Business tab on the home page
3. In the lefthand box, hover over "Doing Business With the City" and then select "Vendor Registration."
4. Complete your registration by following the instructions provided.
 
If you have any questions regarding the registration process, please call Vendor Registry at 865.777.4337.
 
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. 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 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.
 
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.
 
For tickets and/or sponsorship opportunities, log on to www.HopsInTheHills.com.
 
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 April 21 Google My Business 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register here
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
"What a Fool Believes" is a song written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins and recorded by The Doobie Brothers, topped the Billboard Music charts this week in 1979. The song received Grammy Awards in 1980 for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
The Doobie Brothers - What A Fool Believes
The Doobie Brothers - What A Fool Believes
 
Events
April 13-19

 

 

April 20-26

 

April 20 -- Blount Chamber's Women in Business
April 20 -- Clayton-Bradley Academy Golf Tournament
April 21 -- Google My Business
April 21 -- Beginner's Tai Chi Class at Clear's Silat, Street Kung Fu, & Tai Chi
April 22 -- Area 15 Special Olympics Track & Field Competition
April 23 -- Stewards of Children Trainings by New Hope, Blount County Children's Advocacy Center
April 24 -- United Way of Blount County and SCORE Financial Management Workshop
April 25 -- Alcoa Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
April 25 -- Townsend Bike Bash
April 25 -- Peak Technical Institute offers How to Succeed in the International Arena and Dine Like a Diplomat
April 25 -- Dead End BBQ Orange & White Tailgate
April 25 -- Affordable Care Act Information & Referral Assistance at the Blount County Public Library
April 25 -- Lego Club at Blount County Library

 

Save the Date

 


You can access the entire calendar here to see other community events and submit your own.
Don't forget to check out the Hot Deals brought to you from other Chamber members. Add your Hot Deal by emailing Amy to get your login info.

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