Secretary of State to visit Warner Robins Feb. 27

BUSINESS RESOURCES FROM BUSINESS PROS

MEET YOUR SECRETARY OF STATE | FEBRUARY 27

Every year, over six million new businesses launch and millions more grow. Just this past week, Georgia Secretary of State, Brian Kemp, announced a record-breaking month of annual business registrations with over 216, 000 annual business registration. As part of a statewide bus tour, Kemp will be making a stop in Warner Robins on February 27th, 11:30am, at the Ole Times Country Buffet at 1208 Russell Pkwy in Warner Robins. The meet and greet is free to attend. Don't forget, April 1st is the deadline to complete your annual business registration. Learn more below to see useful links provided by the Georgia Corporations Division.

QUICK BOOKS 101 | MARCH 23

SCORE | Middle Georgia is a not-for-profit resource partner of the Small Business Administratio n. Supported by volunteers/mentors, SCORE | Middle Georgia offers no or low cost business workshops and training events as well as a variety of free business templates, guides, and helpful tools available on SCORE's online resource library . On March 23rd, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, SCORE | Middle Georgia will be hosting a Quickbooks Workshop at the Robins Regional Chamber. Whether you are a current user or considering a hosted accounting software to track income and expenses, this is a opportunity to learn from a Quickbooks Pro Adviser. Workshop topics include: Quick Books Set Up, Bank Account Set Up, Bank Transactions, Customer/Vendor Set Up, Bank Account Reconciliation, Credit Card Reconciliation, Understanding the Chart of Accounts, and an Introduction to Financial Reports.

*Chamber members receive a $10 discount on registration ($30/person, $20/chamber member). Use the discount code ROBINSREGION when registering.

PLANNING, MARKETING, AND GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

The University of Georgia's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. The SBDC has 17 offices from Rome to Valdosta including a local office in Macon. Similar to SCORE | Middle Georgia, the SBDC offers a variety of workshops, tutorials, and resources to help small businesses grow their business. The SBDC also offers consulting services at no cost. The SBDC consultant expertise focus on areas of Marketing, Strategic Planning, Commercialization, Capital Access, Finance, International Trade, Minority/Women Business, Procurement, and Business Management.

STATE BOARD OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION REGIONAL SERIES COMING TO WARNER ROBINS | APRIL 26

The Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its 2018 Regional Educational Series in your area. The program will include presentations regarding recent developments in State Board Rules, legislation and case law along with ICMS II and EDI updates. The series will visit Warner Robins on April 26th, 8:00 am - 1:00pm, at the Courtyard by Marriott at 589 Carl Vinson Parkway. Read more to see an outline of seminar topics and register to attend through the links below.

HOUSTON COUNTY AT LARGE

HOUSTON COUNTY EGGS & ISSUES | MARCH 1

Our first Eggs & Issues of the year is all about Houston County. On March 1st, Chairman Stalnaker and a panel of Houston County leadership will take the stage to discuss plans for Houston County in 2018 and beyond. Breakfast and connections begin at 7:45 am, followed by presentations at 8:00 am and a question and answer session. There are a variety of marketing opportunities available to highlight your business throughout the 2018 Eggs & Issues Breakfast Series in addition to Eggspress Passes (pre-paid admission to all breakfasts in the 2018 series), corporate tables, and half tables. Register to attend the March 1st Eggs & Issues, sponsored by Flint Energies, and learn more about sponsorship opportunities below.

STATE OF THE BASE | MARCH 14

The State of the Base provides a public forum where community members receive first-hand information and have questions answered by top base leaders. In this platform, leaders from Robins AFB meet to brief the community on their priorities, progress and partnership opportunities. The program is hosted by the Chamber's Military Affairs Committee and presented by Houston Healthcare. This annual luncheon is open to all interested parties and to our Middle Georgia Military Affairs Committee partners and Robins Regional Chamber members at a discounted price. Attend and highlight your business at the 2018 State of the Base on March 14th. Many of the sponsorship opportunities linked below include tickets to attend. Half (4 seats) and full (8 seats) tables are also available.

DON'T LET YOUR EMPLOYEES MISS OUT

2018 HYPE KICK-OFF SOCIAL | FEBRUARY 23

Houston Young Professionals Engage (HYPE) offers Houston County young professionals the opportunity to grow professionally, make connections, exchange ideas, and get more involved in the business community. Study after study reinforces the millennial desire to grow in and out of the workplace and make a positive impact in their community. The first step helping the under 40 crowd get more connected with the community and current leaders, is to get them together! Join us on February 23rd, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm, at Houston Lake Country Club for a night of making new connections and building relationships. Refreshments & entertainment are on the house courtesy of Houston Lake Country Club and HYPE Presenting Sponsor, Melissa Gibson of New American Funding. Learn more about HYPE and register to attend through the links below.

MEMBER NEWS & LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

NEW FACES, EVENTS, PROMOTIONS, OPENINGS? LET US KNOW

Has your business received an award? Hired a new employee? Celebrating an important milestone? We want to know! Send us an e-mail about your exciting news for the opportunity to be featured on our e-news and social media.

UNDER THE GOLD DOME: LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

WEEK 5 | FEBRUARY 5 - 9

In an effort to keep our business members informed of the legislative actions taking place in Georgia, we have compiled a list of your local representatives and links to subscribe/follow directly. Read more below to see this week's update from Representatives Shaw Blackmon and Heath Clark in addition to the Georgia Chamber's Legislative Updates.