It's the experiences you remember, not the stuff. So, experience this.

Blount Partnership News and Events

America's progress has been driven by pioneers who think big, take risks and work hard. From the storefront shops that anchor Main Street to the high-tech startups that keep America on the cutting edge, small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our nation's promise. Small business owners and Main Street businesses have energy and a passion for what they do. When we support small business, jobs are created and local communities preserve their unique culture. So, go support our Blount County small businesses this week and throughout the remainder of the year. Thank an entrepreneur or a small business owner for supporting this outstanding community.

Go vote in the May 1 Blount County Primary and Rockford City Election. Click here for more election information, along with voting locations and sample ballots. Exercise your right to vote.

The Blount County Public Library Board of Trustees is conducting a library user survey for the next two months. This survey is designed to provide input on existing library services as well as new services.

Click here to view photos from the Pigs & Politics Legislative Day event. Feel free to the share this gallery with your family and friends. We hope you enjoy the photos and please let us know if you have any questions. Have a great day!

IS YOUR BUSINESS PREPARED FOR AN ACTIVE SHOOTER INCIDENT?

Presented by Benchmark Physical Therapy, make plans to join us May 2 from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) for an active shooter preparedness and response seminar. Conducted by A&A Investigation and Consulting group, this class provides you with the ability to understand the active shooter event and how to prepare for it. Continuing Education Units available. If you are interested in attending, please register online.

STATE LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING

Join us May 4 at 8 a.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) for a State Legislative Briefing with Senator Art Swann and Representatives Jerome Moon and Bob Ramsey. Please RSVP here if you wish to attend.

USE VIDEO AS PART OF YOUR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

We all watch online videos. In fact, video is future of communication. So, join us May 9 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) for a free class on how to use a series of videos to attract new customers, convert prospects into leads, close more sales and generate repeat business. Video Marketing Strategist Robert Berlin shares an overview of how video can move customers. RSVP here.

This class will explore:
Why you need video to develop your business
Four types of videos you need today
Where to use video for maximum effect
Production cycle of a video
How to get started

HOW TO START UP A BUSINESS

Join staffers from the Tennessee Small Business Development Center and learn about forms of business organization, tax requirements, business licenses, business planning and financing options with additional discussion about SBA loan qualification and opportunities. Join us for this free seminar on May 17 from 9-11 a.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). Register online.

HR SUPERVISOR'S SEMINAR

HR personnel take note of an HR supervisor's seminar on May 18 from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). The fee is $25 for chamber members and $50 for non-members. Register here.

8:35-9:20 a.m. -- Harassment presented by Lynne Peterson, Lewis Thomason
9:20-10:05 a.m. -- Hiring, Managing and Retaining your Workforce (It's Not Your Father's Generation!) presented by Carl Goodman, The ISAAC Network, LLC
10:05-10:15 a.m. -- Break
10:15-11:00 a.m. -- Americans with Disabilities and Family Medical Leave Act presented by Howard Jackson, Wimberly Lawson Wright Daves & Jones

TREMONT SUMMER CAMPS

Enjoy summer in the Smokies at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont summer camps. Live and learn inside the national park. Residential summer camps for ages 4-17. Also check out programs for adults, families and groups. Visit gsmit.org for more information and to register online.

ALL THINGS GOOGLE

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.

MAY MEMBER-TO-MEMBER PROMOTIONS

Member-to-member promotions are here for May. Submit to the email below. Check out the offer from Roost Home. 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!

One-of-a-kind shops and restaurants are part of what makes our city a great place to live.

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 1981 was "Morning Train," by Sheena Easton. The title of the song was changed to "Morning Train (Nine to Five)" to avoid confusion with the Dolly Parton song of the same name, which charted nearly simultaneously with Easton's record.

	Events

	April 30-May 6 May 2 -- Is Your Business Prepared for an Active Shooter Incident? May 4 -- State Legislative Briefing May 4-5 -- Townsend Spring Heritage Festival and Old Timers Day May 4 -- Hops for Hope May 5 -- Tennessee Pottery Festival May 6-13 May 7 -- Sixth Annual Blount County Tourism Day May 8 -- Chamber Social at Harmony Family Center May 9 -- Video With a Purpose - How you can use video as part of a business development strategy May 12 -- Mudder's Day Madness to benefit Harmony Family Center May 12 -- Townsend Community Cleanup Save the Date May 7 -- Sixth Annual Blount County Tourism Day May 8 -- Chamber Social at Harmony Family Center May 15 -- Network Training Class May 21 -- Women in Business May 24 -- Coffee Club sponsored by AMR/Rural Metro You can access the Bount County Chamber events calendar here or the community calendar here.

	Premier and Presidential Partners