Chamber Connections
Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Newsletter - December 2017
Have you spotted the Eastern Shore Elf?
Have you spotted the Eastern Shore Elf? You can find him at a different local retailer each day. We'll announce where he's going each morning on the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Facebook page . While he's in the store, shops are offering daily deals and prizes. You have multiple ways to win.
Prize Basket worth $500
  1. Each night at 5 p.m. the Eastern Shore Elf posts a clue about what shop he'll visit the next day. Be the first to guess where and you win a prize from that store.
  2. Take a Selfie with the Elfie. Stop in the store he's visiting that day and post a picture of the elf on your facebook page tagging the shop and the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce. Everyone who participates will be entered to win a basket overflowing with prizes from all our participating retailers worth more than $500! We'll announce the winner of that drawing December 27th on the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce facebook page.
Fish River Trees
Back on the Rack Upscale Resale
Eastern Shore Ace Hardware
Now Accepting Ambassador Applications
The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are an integral core of volunteers who assist Chamber staff in welcoming new members, attending ribbon cuttings & lending a helping hand wherever needed. Being part of the Ambassador program is also extremely beneficial for participating members because it gives their representatives an opportunity to greet new businesses and build strong working relationships throughout the Eastern Shore. If you're interested in applying to be an Ambassador, please follow the application link below. Applications are due by 12/18/2017.
Leaders Council Spotlight
Bryant Bank: A Familiar Name & Commitment to Service
Bryant Bank bears a familiar name and a commitment to providing true, community banking to the Alabama communities they serve. Bryant Bank is privately-owned and is the only business its owner Paul Bryant Jr. attached to his family’s name. As a community bank, customers can trust that they will always receive the same level of consistent excellent service from bankers who have been with the company for a long time. They attribute this longevity to the bank’s ownership structure which fosters a family-oriented atmosphere.

Bryant Bank also puts a strong commitment on serving the community. In 2017, their bankers have logged 1,500 community service hours. The bank makes it easy for its bankers to serve by offering paid time off to volunteer with various charities and civic organizations. They’ve been recognized for their service by earning the American Bankers Association’s national Revitalizing Your Community Award for their involvement in restoring local communities affected by the Alabama tornadoes in 2011. Then in 2015, Bryant Bank send two teams of 12 along with a truckload of supplies to Louisiana for flood relief efforts. “This was a gracious repayment, so to speak, in response to the many out-of-state volunteers who helped various Alabama communities following the tornadoes in 2011,” said Bryant Bank’s Greg Strachan.
The Daphne office also offers a 2,000-square-foot Community Room to any non-profit, community-purpose organization free of charge to help meet their meeting space needs. Not only does Bryant Bank support the community through service, but also financially. The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce has personally been a benefactor, with Bryant Bank serving on the Chamber’s Leaders Council, participating in various activities, offering the community room for meetings and supporting the Chamber through sponsorships. The Bryant Bank Tailgater trailer drew a crowd during the 2017 Jubilee Festival of Arts. The tailgater has also made appearances at the American Heart Association’s Baldwin Heart Walk and various other events.

Here in Baldwin County, Bryant Bank is growing thanks to the loyal support of their customers. In the past five years, they’ve grown 60% and grown their market share of deposits as well. Just this year, they opened a new office in Orange Beach.

If you’d like to learn more about Bryant Bank, you can visit their website at https://www.bryantbank.com/ or stop by the Daphne Branch at 1801 US Highway 98.
The Eastern Shore Leaders Council provides an opportunity for companies to receive additional visibility and recognition while supporting the efforts of the Eastern Shore Chamber and its advocacy for our local communities and businesses. To learn more about how you can become a member of the Leaders Council email  Christina Hellmich.
United States Senate
Special Election
December 12, 2017

Doug Jones (D)
Roy Moore (R)
Casey Williams at Christmas Round the Corner in Fairhope
"Rightly has Christmas been made the children's festival. Every child is a savior, who is come to save us from degrading ambitions, and to take us by the hand and to lead us to pleasanter fields and sweeter pastures than those which we, by our cunning and craft, have made for ourselves. They know better than we what is good for the soul; they are nearer than we are to the life of things."
-Temple Scott
October was scary, we were thankful in November so December is all about JOY! The word Joy comes from a Latin origin meaning rejoice. Other terms that describe joy are delight, jubilation, bliss & great happiness. These words are descriptive to be sure but real joy is difficult to put into words... but you know it when joy is present... without a doubt!

Joy can be found in great moments of triumph or in a few precious words from a loved one. Joy is contagious and we can spread the joy to others. In the rush of this holiday season, I have challenged myself to find joy each day - I hope you will too!
Holiday Events Calendar
Looking for a new way to add some holiday cheer? We have the most comprehensive list of holiday events along the Eastern Shore available on our website! Just follow the link below to our Holiday Event Calendar.
Get Involved
Business After Hours & Young Professionals Social
at BancorpSouth
Thursday, December 7
5-7 p.m.
BancorpSouth Spanish Fort
30585 Highway 225
Spanish Fort, AL36527


Menu:
  • Fried Oysters
  • Sliced Pork Tenderloin
  • Grilled Asparagus & Brussell Sprouts
  • Hot Swiss Bacon Dip and French Bread Crustinis
  • Toffee Dip with Fresh Fruit and Ginger Snaps

Toy Drive:
Please bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots.

Morning Marketing
Thursday, December 21
8 a.m.
Dickey's BBQ
6882 Highway 90, Suite G2
Daphne

Sponsor: Busi-Beauty Mary Kay Independent Consultant
(Shelley Bouttiaux)

Chamber Calendar
December 5
9 a.m.
Eastern Shore Chamber Office
327 Fairhope Avenue
Fairhope
Reservation Required
Call 928-6387

411 N. Section Street Ste. B
Fairhope
Tuesday, December 5
4-6 p.m.

Joint Business After Hours & Young Professionals Social
BancorpSouth - Spanish Fort
30585 State Highway 225
Spanish Fort
Thursday, December 7
5 p.m.

Please bring a toy to donate to Toys for Tots

9 N. Church Street
Fairhope
Friday, December 8
4 p.m.
34745 Highway 225
Spanish Fort
Monday, December 11
1:30 p.m.
Add to Calendar
27955 Highway 98 Suite X
Daphne
Tuesday, December 12
4:30 p.m.

Eastern Shore Chamber Office
327 Fairhope Avenue
Fairhope
December 14
9 a.m.
Reservation Required
Call 928-6387

Thursday, December 21
8 a.m.
Dickey’s BBQ
6882 Hwy. 90, Suite G2
Daphne
Sponsor: Busi-Beauty Mary Kay Independent Consultant (Shelley Bouttiaux)

The Chamber at Work
Young Professionals Cornhole Tournament
The Eastern Shore Chamber Young Professionals Cornhole Tournament to benefit the  Spanish Fort Public Library raised $2500 to support the Summer Reading Program! A big thank you to everyone who participated and congratulations to  Fairhope Brewing Company  who took home the grand prize!
Youth Leadership
Philanthropic Day
The goal of Philanthropic Day was to understand the importance of serving and giving back to your community. Students visited the Fuse Factory to learn about what philanthropy means to our community. They also visited Ronald McDonald House and Victory Farms . Thank you to Chicken Salad Chick for providing a scrumptious lunch for our students.

Business Smarts Day
Business Smarts Day included a soft skills workshop presented by Rob McElroy as well as a career exploration. Industries included were:
Business Owners: Mary Beth Greene of mb greene and Chick-Fil-A owner Holly Johnson
Marketing and PR: Sarah Grube and Taylor Lewis from JJPR
Physical Therapy: Rich Rummel from Thomas Hospital
Nursing: Mignon Bishop from Thomas Hospital
Accounting and Personal Finance: Erann Thompson from Hartmann, Blackmon & Kilgore, P.C.
Law Enforcement: FBI Special Agent, Mary Anne Flippo

Thank you to all who helped to make it a great career day for our students.
Student Training & Exploration Program
The 11 th  grade students learned about the aviation industry by touring Segers Aerocorp and the Academy at the Fairhope Airport . In November, the 11th grade also explored many different career opportunities in the automotive industry while visiting Chris Myers Automall and learned about the construction industry with  Ammons & Blackmon Construction.
            
The 10 th  grade class spent the day at AIDT Training Center learning about possible careers in welding.
Career Horizons Expo
The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce had a wonderful day November 14 at the Career Horizons Expo at the  North Baldwin Center for Technology  with 8th grade students from Daphne, Bay Minette & Perdido Middle Schools. Students got to know possible future employers, interact with leaders & tour the facility's programs. Thank you to  North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce  for partnering with us on this incredible initiative.
Business After Hours at Sunset Pointe
We had an incredible turnout for Business After Hours at Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina. More than 100 members joined us for sunset out on the patio. Thank you,  Panini Pete , for hosting us for this wonderful networking event!
2018 Eastern Shore Magazine
The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Alliance Publishing, LLC will once again be publishing our Eastern Shore Magazine which includes our Chamber Membership Directory for the Eastern Shore. 

As always, we are excited about this year’s magazine as we take every opportunity we can to highlight our Chamber members and showcase the amazing communities on the Eastern Shore. This is the official marketing piece for the entire Eastern Shore used for economic development, tourism and as a recruitment tool. 10,000 copies of the magazine are distributed to member businesses, hotels, medical offices & conferences. The magazine is also accessible online from the Eastern Shore Chamber website throughout the year.

As a Chamber member you have an opportunity to advertise in this annual magazine. Keith Lott will be contacting you soon regarding advertising opportunities.

If you have any questions, please call Keith Lott with Alliance Publishing, LLC at 251.458.3707 or email him at
Ribbon Cuttings
Home BOSS Inspections

Congratulations to  Home BOSS Inspection  on their ribbon cutting. We love seeing them grow. Stop by their office at 316 S McKenzie St Suite 100, Foley to learn more about their services. 
El Camino Taco Shack
El Camino Taco Shack is now open in downtown Fairhope with an a la carte taco menu, daily specials and full bar. They're located in the old Gumbo Shack location at 212 Fairhope Avenue.

Minto Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce welcomes Minto Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery to the Chamber with a ribbon cutting. Dr. David Minto’s office is located at 19748 S. Greeno Road in Fairhope.
November New Members
October Ambassadors of the Month: Brenda Carpenter
Brenda Carpenter
Family Security Credit Union
28651 US-98, Daphne, AL
Official Ambassadors Sponsor:
The Eastern Shore Chamber partners with Visit Coastal Alabama to promote our region & attract tourists.