Check out our 104th installment of The Dialogue at the bottom of this email where we visit with Robert Berlin, a video marketing specialist & photographer with Open Roads Media. Stay tuned for a special workshop on how you can use video as part of a business development strategy presented by Open Roads Media.

 

Be sure to carve out some time on April 12 for the Blount Chamber Afternoon Mixer at CBBC Bank (330 East Broadway, Maryville, TN 37804) beginning at 3:45 p.m. Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the Chamber membership.

 

GET YOUR PIGS AND POLITICS TICKETS

Enjoy the aroma of BBQ and live music while visiting with federal, state and Blount County elected officials and mid-term candidates in a relaxed atmosphere at the Blount Partnership's Pigs & Politics Legislative Day sponsored by Vulcan Materials, Spectrum Enterprise, Full Service BBQ, Design Innovation,The Casual Pint, Maryville College, Campbell Party Rentals, Michael Brady, Inc., and K12, Inc., on Tuesday, April 24, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Alumni Gym on the Maryville College campus.

Tickets are on sale for $35 for the public, $25 for Blount County Chamber members, $10 for students with ID and ages five and under are free. They are available by calling 865.983.2241, with more information at www.blountchamber.com.

With the county primary and Rockford City election slated for May 1 and early voting beginning April 11, the event provides an enormous opportunity for the public to visit with candidates and elected officials personally as they mingle in a casual setting. No speeches or agenda is set.

 

READY, SET, MOVE! AWARDS

This recognition award, sponsored by Blount BEneFITs, was established in 2009 to recognize the efforts of Blount County schools and businesses that are taking steps within their organizations to promote and embrace healthy living through creative programs that encourage good nutrition and increased physical activity. Previous winners include weight loss challenges, running clubs and other exercise programs, some of which were long-standing programs and others that were start-ups. Click here for nomination form.

 

TMA MANUFACTURING TOUR COMES APRIL 17

The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry/Tennessee Manufacturers Association (TMA), is pleased to announce the 2018 TMA Statewide Tour. This 13-city tour is designed to promote the strength of Tennessee's rapidly expanding manufacturing community. It will provide an update on the state of Tennessee manufacturing, key economic and workforce updates and trends, a recap on Tennessee's 2018 Legislative Session & its impact on manufacturing, and conclude with a Q&A period.

What to Expect?
* One-hour presentation by TMA Director, Denise Rice, an industry veteran with 25+ years of experience in manufacturing
* Hear updates on real successes and challenges facing manufacturers
* Learn about key resources available to support manufacturers of all sizes-including key employee benefits
* FREE light breakfast or lunch with manufacturing peers

Who Should Attend?
* Manufacturing executives
* General managers
* Site managers
* Plant managers
* HR managers
* Key leaders
* Small, medium and large manufacturing facilities

**Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.

 

GLENN SHEPARD SEMINAR RETURNS APRIL 12

Recognized management guru and author Glenn Shepard returns to the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) on April 12 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. to present a more advanced seminar for managers ready to move from management to leadership. 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.

If you were fortunate enough to attend Glenn's seminar last year, this seminar will be the PEREFCT continuation to take you to the next level of excellence in management expertise, leadership development, and building a culture of teamwork that encourages cooperation that leads to success for your entire team.

If you missed last year's seminar, this seminar will offer you the opportunity to sharpen your supervisory skills and become a more effective manager and stronger leader than you've ever been. After completing this seminar, which has been certified for additional HRCI credit by SHRM, you'll have the tools for leading your team to achieving goals much faster than ever before.

Contact Amy for registration information. The cost is $197 for Chamber members (When 3 or more enroll, 4th person FREE) and $247 for non-members.

 

BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLANNING MEETING

Join us at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St.) on Wednesday, April 18, at 11 a.m. as Regions Bank is hosting an informational business succession planning meeting to assist these successful entrepreneurs in evaluating their options.

Key speakers include Andy Stockett, Managing Director of Four Bridges Capital located in Chattanooga and Dennis Tygart, Regional Wealth Strategist for Regions Private Wealth Management.

Key discussion points will be:
* Determining the value of your company
* Enhancing the value of your company
* Identifying the optimal time to transition the company while maximizing value
* Properly evaluating multiple business succession options
* Growing your business through acquisition or merger
* Evaluating the best strategy for protecting wealth once a company is sold
* Wealth management strategies for enhanced success
* Estate planning strategies for business owners

We encourage everyone to come and hear this presentation if you are interested in the key topics discussed above. There will be limited sitting for this presentation, so reserve your spot no later than April 12. To RSVP please contact Owen Ray at 865-268-1801 or email owen.ray@regions.com.

 

CYBERSECURITY WORKSHOP: PLAN TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS SAFE

Cybersecurity is a vital part of keeping any business healthy. Whether you are a home-based sole proprietor or large corporation, you cannot afford a security breech. Meet with computer experts from Tech Nav to learn how to keep your business, data, and all your devices secure. Readily identify potential breeches and devise a cybersecurity action plan for your business. Tools will be provided to write your cybersecurity plan during the program.

 

SOFT SKILLS SESSION FOR APRIL

It's Your Career! That's the focus of six free soft skills sessions offered in partnership by the Blount County Public Library, the Adult Education Foundation of Blount County and the Blount County Chamber of Commerce that are scheduled over the next eight months.

Registrations are currently being accepted online at www.blountchamber.com for the fourth class entitled Free Resources for Professional Development set for April 27. This course qualifies for .2 CEU's awarded by Pellissippi State.

The other classes offered include How to Run an Effective Meeting, Improving Your Presentation Style - Speaking, Improving Your Presentation Style - Strategies for Engaging Presentations, Making Your Social Media Look Good and Creating Infographics for Promoting Your Business.

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.

 

TREMONT SUMMER CAMPS

Come explore Tremont on an awesome outdoor adventure. Imagine splashing around in an icy cold mountain stream, climbing ridges to an unbelievable view, or choosing from a variety of activities to discover nature through hands-on explorations, day hikes and crafts.

Tremont offers an in-depth summer learning experience that fosters an understanding of the beautiful Smoky Mountains and encourages a lifelong appreciation and stewardship of the environment.

From backpacking in the wilderness to learning about the secret haunts of salamanders, Tremont Institute offers a variety of opportunities to serve different interests, abilities and age groups.

Find the program that is just right for you or the young person in your life. Only Tremont offers unique outdoor experiences that include meals and housing.

 

The "All Things Google" Lunch and Learn Technology Series is a professional development workshop series for adults who seek to learn about the Google platform, applications available through Google and how to access and use these applications (Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Drive, etc.) This technology series is offered by the Blount County Public Library with funding provided by the Tennessee State Library Archives Library Technology Training Grant.

This Lunch and Learn series meets in the new Learning Lab at the Blount County Public Library on Fridays each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The $10 registration fee includes a box lunch and participants will have the opportunity to network. Each of the topics offered will be divided into 3-4 weekly sessions that can stand alone or be taken consecutively. A total of 50 classes will be offered with a new schedule released each month.

To register for classes in the Lunch and Learn Series please visit the Blount County Public Library website http://www.blountlibrary.org/248/Technology-Classes.

 

APRIL MEMBER-TO-MEMBER PROMOTIONS

Member-to-member promotions are here for April. Check out the offer from Vienna Coffee. 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!

 

Local owners buy local services themselves

 

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 1971 was "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" by The Temptations. It is considered one of the Temptations' signature songs. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine listed "Just My Imagination" as number 389 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.