It's almost Independence Day and the Blount Chamber celebrates with you

Blount Partnership News & Events

With the 4th of July weekend coming up, the Blount Partnership staff wishes you a safe and fun holiday weekend.

I know it's the last week of June, but there are some July events you'll want to mark on your calendar. The first is a free networking training class with Raeus Jae Cannon on Wednesday, July 21 from 3-4:30 p.m., at the Blount Partnership. Taking this class will improve your ability to get out and meet people. Register here.

Jacqueline Merritt from the Small Business Association will be conducting two free sessions at the Blount Partnership on Friday, July 22. The first is a one-hour session on financing your business the SBA way from 9-10 a.m. The second is session about understanding the affordable care act from 11 a.m.-noon. Register for one or both sessions by emailing Jacqueline.

CHECK OUT JULY MEMBER-TO-MEMBER PROMOTIONS

The July Blount County Chamber of Commerce Member-to-Member promotions are now available online. This Member-to-Member Promotional Program offers you and your company the opportunity to market your products and services to the membership.

Here's how it works:
1. Submit a PDF of a service, product or discount you'd like to offer to the Chamber membership to [email protected]. Be sure to include an expiration date.
2. An email with all the promotions will be sent out on the final Monday of every month to our member database.
3. All promotions will be posted on www.BlountChamber.com

CUSANO HOSTS CAPTAIN'S MEETING

Your Chamber Connection's Jimmy Cusano got the chairs and captains fired up for the membership event coming July 12-14 at Second Harvest Food Bank. Thank you to our chairs for bringing our community together: Bob Booker, Mary Beth West Communications, LLC, Chris Soro, Tom Bogart, Greg Wilson, Joe Tipton, George Quarles, Tony Thompson, Virginia Hardwick, David Talley, Brian Tuggle, Gaynell Lawson, Joy Bishop and Aaron Snukals.

The captains recruit five team members who will work in shifts to bring new members to the Blount County Chamber of Commerce during the two-day event. It culminates with a wrap-up party where the final membership totals will be revealed.

PIGS AND POLITICS TICKETS ON SALE

The fifth annual Pigs & Politics Legislative Day returns to Alumni Gym on the Maryville College campus Tuesday, July 26 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

This is a great opportunity for the public to visit with candidates and elected officials as they mingle in a summer pig roast setting with the community. There are no speeches; just a lot of Calhoun's BBQ, beer provided by Smoky Mountain Brewery. Elected officials will once again be serving BBQ while collecting "tips" for their respective non-profit organizations.

Tickets are on sale now for $25 for the public, $20 for Blount County Chamber members and $10 for children under 18. They available by calling 865.983.2241 and online.

BLOUNTAREAJOBS.COM NOW LIVE

BlountAreaJobs.com is now live for those needing to post job openings. With the new site, you will need to re-register and provide an updated password. The cost is $10 for a 30-day listing and $15 for a 60-day listing. Job listings will be posted to the following: Indeed, Jobster, JuJu, Oodle, Refer.io, SimplyHired, Vast, BackPage, Glassdoor, Monster Controlled, Recruit.net, Twitter JobWatch, US Jobs, Trovit and Jooble.

SUMMERTIME PROMOTIONS USING SAVE LOCAL NOW

Summer is an amazing time to offer amazing deals to engage new and returning customers. Here are a few samples!

Remember, Tweets that begin will the @ symbol will ONLY appear in the recipient's feed and not to your entire list of followers. The simple fix is to just add a period in front of it. (I think it's also valuable to add a photo to every post.) For example:

.@SaveLocalNow is fast, easy, and FREE to our members. Interested in learning more? Reach out to the chamber!

Automotive: Description: Your kids washed the outside, let us help you clean the inside with an interior and exterior detailing for only $30! Package includes: undercar clean with undercoat, trim protectant, tire shine, wheel brite, mat cleaning, door/steering wheel/seat wipe down, and fresh scent.

Travel: Description: It's not too late to plan your summer getaway! Surprise your special someone with a romantic Wine Country Getaway! Relax in a room or suite of your choice, and receive a complimentary bottle of wine or grape juice and luscious local truffles. This package also entitles you to a private tasting at one of our local wineries.

Activities: Description: Is you report card something to be proud of? Reward yourself with a free game of bowling on us! If you earned an "A" (or the equivalent) on your final 2015-2016 report card, bring it into our location to redeem your free game!

Health & Fitness: Description: Now is the time to get that beach body you always dreamed of! Join our gym this summer and get the invitation fee waived!

If you have any questions regarding your free digital marketing member benefit ( Save Local Now), your digital platform, or online marketing in general please reach out the Blount Chamber's Rachel Coffman. She is here to help you in the year ahead and will keep you on track as you fulfill your resolutions in 2016.

REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL

Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!

Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community's future.

Find what you're looking for in the Chamber Directory.

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

Topping the Billboard Music Chart this week in the summer of 1988 was "Foolish Beat," the fourth single and the first ballad from Debbie Gibson. This song made Gibson the youngest person to write, produce and sing a number-one single entirely on her own.

	Events

	June 27-July 3 June 27 -- Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail @ Blount County Public Library June 27-30 -- Resume Help @ Blount County Public Library June 28 -- InfoSystems Technology Coffee & Networking @ The Artistic Bean June 30 -- Coffee Club sponsored by Rural Metro at Chamber June 30 -- Career Center Job Fair @ Blount County Public Library June 30 -- ABLE Act Achieving a Better Life Experience June 30 -- Bill Landry: Foothills Voices @ Blount County Public Library July 1 -- Recovery Revolution at RIO Revolution July 2 -- Porch Pickin with Larry & Elaine Conger @ Wood & Strings Dulcimer Shop July 2 -- SCHAS Blount Motorcycle Ride July 3 -- Faith Promise Church 3rd of July July 4-10 July 4 -- 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks in Townsend July 4 -- Independence Day Celebration and Anvil Shoot @ Museum of Appalachia July 7 -- Afternoon Mixer at BARBERMcMURRY architects July 7 -- Computer Class: Apps for Health @ Blount County Public Library July 8-10 -- Smoky Mountain Softball Classic July 8 -- Recovery Revolution at RIO Revolution July 8 -- Early Morning String Dusters Concert @ Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center July 9 -- Mountain Challenge with Maryville College @ Blount County Public Library Save the Date July 7 -- Afternoon Mixer at BARBERMcMURRY architects July 21 -- Networking Training Class July 22 -- Financing Your Business the SBA Way July 22 -- Understanding the Affordable Care Act July 28 -- Coffee Club at Mane Support You can access the entire calendar here to see other community events and submit your own.

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