Join us September 28 for the Blount Chamber Coffee club hosted by Elliott's Boots (165 N. Calderwood St., Midland Shopping Center, Alcoa) at 7:45 a.m. Coffees are designed to offer our members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and to gain exposure for their business or organization in an "open house" setting. Coffees are open to anyone associated with a chamber member business. Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the chamber membership.

 

LESS THAN 200 TICKETS REMAIN FOR NIGHT WITH THE LONE SURVIVOR

Retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell and author of the New York Times best-selling book Lone Survivor, which recounts the heroic sacrifices of fellow SEAL team members assigned to Operation Red Wings, is the guest speaker for the Blount Partnership's Best of Blount Awards, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m., at the Clayton Center for the Arts on the Maryville College campus.

Tickets are on sale for $35 (plus taxes and fees) by calling the Clayton Center at 865-981-8590 or online.

Luttrell takes us from the rigors of SEAL training and what it takes to join the America's elite fighting force, to the battle on the mountain, into his family's experience of community support and generosity, and back to his own incredible story of survival and grace. In powerful narrative, he weaves a rich account of courage and sacrifice, honor and patriotism, community and destiny that audiences will find both wrenching and life-affirming.

In his emotionally raw account, Luttrell honors the memories of all those who died, sharing with us the incredible bravery, courage and honor of these extraordinary warriors. He holds their lives up as examples of the SEAL's guiding philosophy.

In January 2014, Luttrell's amazing story made the leap to the big screen with the blockbuster film, Lone Survivor, directed by Peter Berg and starred Mark Wahlberg as Luttrell. The film celebrated a historic open, earning the second biggest January debut of all time.

Sponsors are Massey Electric, Cherokee Millwright, Blount Excavating, Stowers Machinery, Interstate Mechanical, DENSO, Nisus Corp., T.W. Frierson Contractor and First Tennessee Foundation.

 

PSCC JOB FAIR

We are pleased to announce that our Blount County Campus Job Fair takes place Wednesday, November 1, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Pellissippi State Blount County campus (2731 W Lamar Alexander Parkway, Friendsville, TN).

This year we are focusing on part-time and/or seasonal employment opportunities. Also, if a business offers internship or co-op opportunities, we'd like to assist the employer in finding students for those work options.

We hope to have a large variety of employers on hand to answer questions and give our students information about available jobs. Our goal is to offer students increased access to many opportunities and to assist you in your employment needs.

To register for the Job Fair, please go online and complete the RSVP form by October 18. We have a limited number of tables and spaces for the Job Fair so we will leave the RSVP link up until all tables are filled or until the October 18 deadline, whichever happens first.

If you have any questions, please contact the Placement Office at 865.694.6559 or via email.

 

BE A MENTOR WITH TNACHIEVES

TnAchieves is actively recruiting local volunteers to serve as mentors for the Class of 2018 TN Promise students. Blount County needs 108 to meet its goal of 179 as part of the statewide mentor goal of 9,000.

As our state seeks 55 percent post-secondary attainment by 2025, we must reach students who never thought that college was an option. Our mentors are often the difference makers as students make decisions that affect their futures.

Our efforts to ensure every student has a local support system as they transition from high school to post-secondary. In fact, more than 30 percent of our mentors came from the business community which is important as this is our state's future workforce.

The deadline to complete the mentor application is December 1. You can find the mentor application online.

 

MOVERS FOR MUTTS TO AID ANIMALS

The Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) is serving as a drop off location for the Two Men and a Truck Movers for Mutts collection drive until November 20, to provide necessary pet items to animal shelters and stray pets this fall.

Two Men and a Truck is partnering with shelters, schools, and businesses from areas surrounding Knox and Blount Counties. These locations will serve as drop off points for essential pet items.

 

GET PLACEMENT IN 2018 BASICALLY BLOUNT

The 2018 Basically Blount lifestyle magazine and membership directory is entering production once again. This annual, full-color lifestyle magazine and chamber membership directory is initially distributed to all Chamber members starting Feb. 2018, along with distribution four times throughout the year via area professional offices, newcomers, visitors, and new businesses all looking to relocate to Blount County.

In addition to intriguing stories and area photography that highlight the best of Blount County, Basically Blount also includes a finger-indexed, color-coded directory and buyer's guide of all Chamber members. Chamber members consistently tell us that they keep Basically Blount on hand throughout the year in order to find business products and services when they need them.

We are pleased to offer a variety of advertising opportunities at cost effective rates through our media kit. We have contracted with Marcon Marketing Consultants, a local Chamber member, to handle production and ad sales.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Basically Blount, the importance of supporting the Chamber, and how to get your business involved, contact Rick Ford of Marcon Marketing at (865) 705-8580.

 

DISCOVER BLOUNT

Designed by Leadership Blount and in collaboration with community partners, Discover Blount is an introduction to Blount County showcasing tourism, health, education, industry, history, and non-profit organizations. The program introduces participants to resources in our county and identifies opportunities to become more involved.

Forty participants will be accepted on a first come-first serve basis. While anyone is welcome to participate, the program is aimed at emerging leaders, those new to Blount County, and anyone who wants to be more involved in our community.

The Discover Blount program will consist of six, 5 hour class days with one social and one service opportunity.

The cost for the program is $325. View flyer for more information. Registration can be done online for the Fall class.

 

SPEED NETWORKING RETURNS

Take part in the one of today's hottest business events - Speed Networking! This business relationship building event takes place August 26 at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) from 2-5 p.m.

Only 30 individuals can participate in each Quick Connection event and every individual is GUARANTEED to meet 15 people and spend 5 minutes with each of them. A facilitator will spend the first 30 minutes of the event teaching you how to maximize your Quick Connection networking opportunity. You will then spend the next 1.5 hours rotating around the room and meeting 15 other participants at five minute intervals.

The afternoon will be capped off with a 30 minute reception during which you can follow-up with participants you met or introduce yourself to those you didn't get to meet. Quick Connections is offered free of charge.

RSVP to Amy and please include your Name, Company Name, Phone Number & Email

 

OCTOBER MEMBER-TO-MEMBER NEEDED

Member-to-member promotions for October are needed as the next email goes out October 2. In the meantime, check out the offer from Pellissippi State and a great deal on radio ads from WKVL. See these and other promotions at member-to-member promotions. New offers are being posted almost daily, so check out the Blount County Chamber of Commerce Member-to-Member promotions 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 jmuir@blountpartnership.com. 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

 

REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL

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

 

Independent businesses make neighborhoods healthy.

 

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 Hot 100 chart this week in 1963 was the most successful recording of "Blue Velvet" by Bobby Vinton. Vinton's version reached No. 1 on September 21 and remained there for two more weeks. He recorded "Blue Velvet" in two takes.