GET YOUR KICKS AT COFFEE CLUB

Join us Thursday, March 28 at 7:45 a.m. for the Blount Chamber coffee club sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Maryville. It will be held at Green Meadow Country Club (1700 Louisville Road, Alcoa).

 

ATTEND THE JOB FAIR

The Blount County Chamber of Commerce, working off its mission statement to promote economic growth, is hosting a job fair presented by Blackberry Farm, Pellissippi State, Staffing Solutions and Resource MFG on March 28 from 2-6 p.m. at Foothills Mall in Maryville.

More than 40 employers will be on hand for full-time, part-time and seasonal positions. Additionally, the American Job Center at Alcoa will be on site to assist job seekers with training and educational opportunities, job searches, writing resumes and cover letters as well as doing research on prospective employers.

 

STEP OUT IN THE COMMUNITY BY ATTENDING OPEN HOUSES

Two outstanding Blount Chamber members are holding open houses at their businesses on March 26. Make an effort to stop by and show that we appreciate them as Blount County business people.

Joy LaForce of the Allstate - LaForce Agency (727 W. Lamar Alexander Pkwy., Maryville) is holding an open house and customer appreciation day from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. She will have refreshments and door prizes.

Dr. James D. Proffitt is holding a late afternoon event at his new location at 701 Morganton Square in Maryville from 4-6 p.m. with refreshments.

 

NETWORKING 101

Presenter Betsy Cunningham is hosting a free seminar entitled "Networking - It's Not Just for Sales People," on March 25 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). Networking 101 focuses on how to connect, create and cultivate relationships whether in a group or one-on-one setting. Participants will learn how to introduce themselves in a meaningful way, be goal focused and other strategies to make meeting people more beneficial. So, take that step and see how much good networking skills can improve your personal and professional life. You can still register this morning.  REGISTER HERE.

 

SPEED NETWORKING THAT WORKS

Spend your Monday morning from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on March 26 meeting at least 15 new people and begin building a business relationship with BNI's speed networking at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). Facilitated by BNI Director Consultant Susan Moser, this free event will get you in touch with individuals from many industries. Attendance is limited to one person per company and two people per industry. Email tracy@tntmarketing.guru with your name, business name and phone number to sign up.

 

LEADERSHIP THAT WORKS

Make plans to attend our next HR Focus Group on April 3 at 8:30 a.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). The topic will be "Leadership That Works: Creating a Leadership Culture and Developing a High Performing Team" by Kevin Kragenbrink of 3 to 99. This workshop is designed for HR professionals, leadership trainers, and senior leadership looking to develop an effective leadership culture in their organization. REGISTER HERE.

 

I NEED A VACATION

The Vacation Clearing House & Exchange is holding an employee vacation benefit symposium at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) on April 4 from 9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m. You don't want to miss this networking opportunity with prizes and snacks. This video gives full details, so take a peek. Remember to like the event on Facebook and register here.

 

ONE MORE NETWORKING CLASS

If introducing yourself at gathering has you being a wallflower, join Raeus Jae Cannon for her networking training class at the Blount Partnership on April 9 from 3-4:30 p.m. A regular workshop at the Blount Chamber, this free seminar will get you on the road to improving your life and business relationships. You'll no longer be making those dreaded cold calls and begin using new relationships to drive business to you. REGISTER HERE.

 

GLENN SHEPARD RETURNS

Because the response was so overwhelming, we're bringing Glenn Shepard back on April 16 to present a more advanced seminar for managers ready to move from management to leadership. As Glenn puts it, "Managers can only get compliance from their employees. It takes a leader to get commitment."

In the seminar, he'll show you how to motivate your people, not just manage them. How to get them to follow you because they believe in your goals, your skills as a leader, and they are committed.

This program has been approved for 5.5 (General ) recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute.

The fee is $197 for Chamber members. When three or more from one business enroll, the fourth attends for free. REGISTER HERE.

 

SIGN UP FOR THE LATEST SOFT SKILLS CLASS

It's Your Career! That's the focus of a free soft skills session offered in partnership by the Blount County Public Library, the Adult Education Foundation of Blount County and the Blount County Chamber of Commerce.

Registrations are currently being accepted online at www.blountchamber.com for a class entitled Time Management on March 29. All participants will earn .5 CEUs per session for participating. They will also receive an email survey two months after workshop participation to assess application of new ideas.

All classes are conducted in the Blount County Library's learning lab located at 508 N. Cusick in Maryville and limited to 50 participants. A complete class description is located on the registration site. All classes run from 8-10 a.m. with networking beginning at 7:30 a.m.

 

PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

Take advantage of your Blount Chamber discount and protect you, your family and employees by enrolling in IDShield. IDShield monitors identity from every angle and alerts you to status changes immediately. It can also help restore your identity if it has been compromised. LEARN MORE

 

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.

 

YOU CAN POST YOUR OWN MEMBER-TO-MEMBER DEALS

Blount Chamber members can now post their own Member-to-Member deals on this page at no charge. Simply login to your account, Click on the "New Coupon" button, fill out the form and click save. It's that easy.

Click here if you need access to your login information.

Of course, we will be happy to add your coupon. Just email information about the product or discount you'd like to offer to the Chamber membership to jmuir@blountpartnership.com. Be sure to include an expiration date.

View the latest deals.

 

REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL

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

 

When a consumer buys local, significantly more of that money stays in the community.

 

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 1989 was "The Living Years" by Mike + The Mechanics. The song addresses a son's regret over unresolved conflict with his now-deceased father. It was nominated for four Grammy awards in 1990.