It's a busy week for ribbon cuttings as there are two business that are opening their doors. Well, not exactly. The first is MTN TRAX in Townsend on Tuesday, May 5 from 1-4 p.m. It's actually their one year anniversary and they are holding an open house while offering complementary rides in their UTV's. So come spend the afternoon touring Townsend in a street-legal UTV.

 

The second ribbon cutting is for First State Bank on Thursday, May 7 from 2-4 p.m. They are giving away some outstanding door prizes, so drop by and welcome the staff to Blount County.

 

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.

 

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 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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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	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

Sheena Easton topped the Billboard Singles Chart this week in 1981 with her most successful hit, "Morning Train." It was orginally entitled "9 to 5" but was renamed to avoid confusion with Dolly Parton's "9 to 5."

Sheena Easton - 9 To 5 (Morning Train)