CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP 85% TAX DEDUCTIBLE

Looking for a tax deduction to ring out 2018? Remember that your Blount County Chamber Membership fee is 85% tax deductible if you renew by December 31. Call 865.983.2241 or email Amy.

 

JANUARY AFTERNOON MIXER MOVED

The January 10 afternoon mixer originally scheduled to be at Sleep Outfitters has been moved to Vienna Coffee House (212 College Ave. Maryville). The event runs from 3:45-5 p.m.

Mixers 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 and open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business. Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the Chamber membership.

 

TWO PLACES TO SPEND NEW YEAR'S EVE

Looking for a New Year's Eve event, try one of these:

New Year's Eve Dinner at RT Lodge: We are open this New Year's Eve! For the warmest, coziest (and tastiest) start to 2019, come and raise a glass or two with us! If loud music and party poppers aren't really your thing, come and cozy up at RT Lodge and welcome in the New Year. Feast on our hearty and comforting five-course New Year's Eve menu thoughtfully created by Chef Trevor Stockton and our culinary team. There'll be a glass of bubbly on us at midnight! $90 per person plus tax and service (does not include alcohol).

Blount Habitat for Humanity NYE Gatsby Gala: Blount County Habitat for Humanity will host its second annual 1920s themed NYE Gatsby Gala at a new location this year! Join us at the historic Capitol Theatre in your best 1920's attire for a night of entertainment and enjoyment in support of 26 years of building affordable homes in Blount County. You'll step into the world of 1920s opulence from the moment you arrive including the addition of an open bar and Sullivan's catering. The gala will include hot era jazz, cold drinks, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, swanky silent auction, casino tables and much, much more! NYE Gatsby Gala: $125 per person.

 

HR FOCUS GROUP SET FOR JANUARY

Can you believe the first HR Focus Group is set for January 9, 2019? Sign up today for Ryan Allen, Senior Loss Control Specialist for Accident Fund as he presents an enlightening seminar on Making Safety Successful. Topics to be covered include Common Safety Pitfalls, Safety Management Leadership, Basic Safety Program Elements, Building for Continued Success and Tools to Elevate Safety. REGISTER HERE.

 

ACCENTURE JOB FAIR

Accenture is looking for medical claims processors and is hosting an on-site job fair on Thursday, January 3 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and from 5-8 p.m. that same evening at 1965 Hawks Landing, Louisville, TN 37777.

The skill sets they are seeking:

* HS Diploma or GED
* Excellent data entry skills - working in a dual monitor/multi windows environment
* Good decision making and critical thinking skills
* Excellent reading comprehension

It has multiple classes that it is sourcing for in the late January time frame, with classes in February and March as well. Starting pay has been raised to $15 per hour. These are all contractor opportunities with a potential of flipping to full time.

 

WINTER WOODY PLANT ID - DAY PROGRAM

Join the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont on January 26 for a one-day experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Winter is a unique and beautiful time of year to investigate trees and plants of the Smokies.

Cost: $64 (Includes breakfast and lunch)
Learn more on our website.

 

MLK BUSINESS LUNCHEON

The MLK business luncheon will be held at the Clayton Center for the Arts on January 18 at noon. The cost is $35 per person or $350 per table of 10. Reservations are required to attend this event and can be made by calling the Blount County Chamber of Commerce at 865-983-2241. The keynote speaker is Mr. Cassius Cash, Superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Other MLK Celebration Weekend events include:

MLK Kids and Families Fair
Saturday, January 19, 2019
1 p.m. at the Blount County Library

Community Worship Service
Sunday, January 20, 2019
4 p.m. at St. John Baptist Church, Alcoa

MLK Day March/Program
Monday, January 21, 2019
12:45pm Assemble at MLK Center
1pm March from MLK Center to Maryville College
2 p.m. Program at Nutt Theatre in Clayton Center

 

OPERATION THANK YOU

Promote your business during "Operation Thank You" by sending 1400 gift certificates, brochures or business promotional pieces to us and we will distribute them during Operation Thank You.

Your Chamber constantly looks for ways to help you promote your business through the ABC theory - Always Buy Chamber. We do ask that your enclosure piece not to exceed 8 ½" x 11". These inserts should be delivered to the Chamber no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, February 7.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Amy Lawson at alawson@blountpartnership.com or call 865.983.2241. There is a fee of $250 for insert enclosure.

Participate in the Chamber's 21st annual "Operation Thank You" set for February 19-21, 2019 and meet other business people on a one-on-one basis.

During this three-day event, Chamber members, the Chamber staff and Board of Directors will personally deliver Chamber member information packets. We invite you to join us in this three-day effort. You can agree to call on as many or as few members as your schedule permits.

If you, someone (or several people) from your business, organization or group is interested in participating, please contact Amy Lawson at alawson@blountpartnership.com or call 865.983.2241.

 

LYNDA AT THE LIBRARY

Businesses need to take advantage of the Blount County Library's subscription to Lynda.com. Using your library card, get access to Lynda.com, a LinkedIn Company, with thousands of courses in software, creative and business skills to develop your staff skills and meet learning needs at your own convenience. Learn More

 

DECEMBER MEMBER-TO-MEMBER PROMOTIONS

Member-to-member promotions are here. Submit to the email below. Check out the latest offer from King University, Puleo's, Airport Hilton and RCN Technologies. See 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!

 

It feels good to help neighbors and friends succeed.

 

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 or any good news about your business, please send it to us. We'd love to share it with the community.

 

REMEMBER WHEN

Topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week in 1982 was "Maneater" by Hall & Oates. John Oates has explained that while it is natural to assume the lyrics are about a woman, the song actually was originally written "about NYC in the '80s. It's about greed, avarice, and spoiled riches. But we have it in the setting of a girl because it's more relatable. It's something that people can understand. That's what we do all of the time."