THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER PRESENTED BY:
DISCOVER CONSUMER REALITIES
May 26 from 8:15-9:45 a.m.
Marketing Rebeiion: The Most Human Company Wins
Presented by Mark Schaefer

$30 for chamber members / $50 for non-members

Sponsored by Allevia Technology

This program will change the way companies and organizations look at marketing, sales, advertising, and overall customer experience.

In this session, attendees will learn:
  • How marketing, advertising, sales, customer engagement, and customer loyalty have changed forever
  • Two thirds of your marketing is occurring without you
  • Why this rebellion is redefining the business landscape
  • A more human-centered approach to marketing
  • How to build a brilliant business when your customers are in charge

All registrants receive a free copy of Mark's book Marketing Rebellion.
BIZ LEGISLATION IN TN ASSEMBLY
Here's a update from the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry on bills moving through the state legislature important to the business community. Search legislation and track bills.

Legislation brought by Rep. Kevin Vaughan (R-Germantown) and Sen. Art Swann (R-Maryville) that has received attention in recent weeks was modified in an effort to mitigate concerns. Overall, the legislation raises by $25 weekly unemployment benefits but significantly reducing the maximum duration of a claim from 26 to 12 weeks. Research by the UWC notes Tennessee’s current average UI benefit duration is slightly over 15 weeks.
 
Legislative Fiscal Analysis estimates the savings to the UI fund would exceed $6 million, in the just the first year and, increasing annually to over $11 million recurring. Currently, Tennessee has one of the lowest maximum weekly benefit amounts of $275. The legislation is strongly supported by House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Rep. Vaughan who note overall the legislation provides an increase to help Tennesseans while lowering the duration of UI benefits to encourage individuals to find employment. Legislators point out that employers all across the state frequently report that finding available workers is a significant challenge. 

SB1135/ HB745 This legislation establishes the TN work-ready opportunity program through the department of labor and workforce development and department of education. It assesses adult displaced workers and high school students’ career readiness. Status: Has been sent to the Senate Finance Committee and has been sent to the House Government Operations. 

SB775/ HB1011 Implements Excise Tax deductions on SERG, Small Business Relief and other Tennessee COVID-19 relief programs. Status: Has passed in the Senate and the House. 
JOIN THE JOB FAIR
An in-person hiring event is slated for April 27 from 9 a.m.-noon at Foothills Mall. Consider participating.

Anyone looking for a job or wanting career development opportunities is invited to attend. The event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend. In addition to full and part-time positions, this job fair is designed for internships and service opportunities as well.

It is presented by Pellissippi State, Akard Commutator of Tennessee, Payroll Vault, Blackberry Farm, Cirrus Aircraft, City of Maryville, GEAR Staffing, Cherokee Millwright and TactionRx.
SUPPORT THE PARKWAY DESIGN
The Tennessee Department of Transportation is hosting a virtual design public meeting until April 29 to gather public input on the proposed Pellissippi Parkway project from SR-33 to SR-73 (US-321). The proposed project consists of developing a new controlled-access four-lane highway with a concrete median barrier wall and grade-separated interchanges.


This meeting is being held to provide the public an opportunity to provide comments regarding the proposed project. Comments submitted through the project website will be addressed and become part of the official public transcript.

The Blount Chamber encourages its members to bookmark the website and make comments in support of the project. Allow 30 minutes to completely view the articles on the site.
Throughout the month of April you can give TDOT your thoughts on the Statewide Active Transportation Plan. Help TDOT improve walking and biking in Tennessee!
TO THE MAX
Learn more about the Blount Chamber and the many opportunities that go along with being a member. Learn how to make the most of the benefits afforded to you by joining our webinar on April 22 at 10 a.m.

Register in advance for this meeting

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

R E M E M B E R !
Your membership is a corporate membership. Please encourage co-workers to get involved, educated, network and promote your company via Blount Chamber events and opportunities.
ARE YOU USING GOOGLE BUSINESS?
April 26 from 2-3 p.m.

Discover Google tools that can help business owners work and manage their business. Plus, get insights on more online and timely resources for small businesses. In this webinar, Grow with Google speaker Dave Delaney will discuss:
  • How to update critical business information online
  • Keep customers informed
  • Conduct virtual meetings
  • Access important files from anywhere
GET COFFEED UP
Wake up to new business contacts at coffee club sponsored by AMR Rural/Metro from 7:45-9 a.m. on April 29 the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville).

Coffees are designed to offer 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.
GET IN OUR NEW LIVABILITY MAGAZINE
SALES CLOSE APRIL 30.

The Blount Partnership is partnering with Livability Media this year to tell our story through the Livability Blount County, Tennessee print and digital marketing program. The purpose of this program is to showcase why our community is a great place to visit, live and work and to leverage the national reach of Livability.com

In conjunction with those efforts. Livability Media staff have begin advertising sales for the 2022 Livability program primarily through Zoom meetings. As a community stakeholder, we encourage you to participate in these meetings to learn more about the opportunities that can help your business and our community maintain its continued economic progress. This program – and our external marketing efforts – can only thrive with your support.  

Our Livability Media representative Collin Gatlin will be reaching out to you in the coming days. We also encourage you to reach out to Collin directly for more information at cgatlin@livmedia.com or 615-771-5576.
ARE PEOPLE A PAIN FOR YOU?
The people pain you experience at work is predictable and fixable; discover how being aligned with yourself/others/job can help you reduce people pain and improve results. 

Make plans to attend our next Success in 90 Seminar on Wednesday, May 5 at 8:30 a.m. the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). 

The topic will be “People Pain: Work is easy. Working with people is hard!” by Kevin Waters of Clear Leader Group.

CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING
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The League of Women Voters of Blount County and Maryville College MC Votes invite the public to an evening digging into the congressional redistricting process at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, via Zoom.

Every 10 years, following the census, the Tennessee General Assembly and other legislatures determine voting districts. This process helps decide election outcomes and how much money is allocated by district. There will be a short film and panel discussion with Katie Cahill, associate director of the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, and Mark O’Gorman, professor of political science at Maryville College.
WE NEED HEALTHY BOUNDRIES
The April 30 edition of soft skills classes offered by the Blount County Public Library is quickly approaching.

This Zoom Webinar session is entitled "Healthy Boundaries for Success at Work." Boundaries help us increase productivity by protecting the quality of our work. Learn how to use boundaries to work smarter and create more effective and productive working relationships.

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.

NEED ASSISTANCE IN
HR, MARKETING OR ACCOUNTING?
Have you experienced supply chain disruptions, staffing challenges, a decrease in business or a business closure as a result specifically due to COVID-19

Through the CARES Act the TSBDC has received funding to hire industry professionals to provide consulting at no cost for our clients. If you need assistance in the areas of accounting, marketing and human resources contact our center!

Let our consultants help navigate the complexities of business ownership during a Pandemic.  


Additional advising services are offered in accounting, advertising, banking, employee relations, employee selection, finance, HR, IT, management, marketing, operations, public relations, sales training, sources of capital

With barriers brought on by COVID-19, we believe small businesses still need that human connection to help identify pools of opportunity. With the simple press of a button, you can find yourself meeting virtually with a consultant who wants to help you and your business succeed on every level.
WEBINAR CALENDAR
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center is hosting a myriad of online training webinars to assist you in all facets of your businesses. Take advantage of training opportunities with the SBDC at no cost.

Every Monday through August 2

April 20 from 9-10 a.m.
 
April 20 from 10 a.m.-noon
 
April 21 from noon-1 p.m.
 
April 22 from 12:30-1:30 p.m.
 
April 27 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
 
April 29 from 10-11 a.m.
April 22 from noon-1 p.m.
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
BE SURE YOU'RE FOLLOWING US
If you aren't following us on social media, you must. We are constantly updating information as each day progresses. So, give us a like and stay up-to-date as we move through this crisis.
 
 
And follow tourism updates here:
Here's a great way to offer Member-to-Member deals using your chamber member account. Check the deals.

Members can post Coupons and Discounts to this page at no charge. Click Here
REMEMBER WHEN . . .
Topping the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1965 was "Game of Love" by Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders.
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