Did You Know?

Jackson EMC and Walton Gas will be hosting the Inaugural Swing into Spring Charity Golf Tournament at the Athens Country Club in Support of the Clarke County Mentor Program and the AACOC!

Make plans to join us at this inaugural Charity Golf Tournament! Event Details: Location: Athens Country Club, 2700 Jefferson Rd Athens GA 30607 Date: Monday, April 12, 2021 Time: 10:00am-6:00pm 10:00am: Arrival/Registration Opens 11:30am: Chick-fil-A boxed lunches distributed Noon: Shotgun Start 3:00pm-4:00pm: Golf Clinic 5:00pm-6:00pm: Reception and Awards Sponsorships Opportunities: Birdie Sponsor: $2,500 (2 available) Corporate logo appears on all marketing materials Recognition on all beverage carts Tent space offered at any tee box One team of 4-golfers Par Sponsor: $1,000 (10 available) Corporate logo on select marketing materials Tent space offered at select tee boxes One team of 4-golfers Golf Clinic Sponsor: $500 (5 available) Corporate logo on select marketing materials Recognition on signage at the driving range Hole Sponsor: $200 (18 available): Recognition on signage at the golf course Tent space offered at select tee boxes Register Today

Prices for those who would not like to sponsor: Foursome: $800 Individual: $200 Golf Clinic Ticket: $50 Included with Entry: Green Fee and Cart Fee Unlimited Premium Beer Unlimited Beverages and Snacks Chick-Fil-A Boxed Lunch Post Round Food and Drink 1 Entry to Win Raffle Prizes Swag Bag

Upcoming Chamber Events!

Women in Business: Lunch 'n Learn with Laura Katz, UGA SDBC The Women in Business Committee is excited to launch our first in-person Lunch 'n Learn event in quite a while and hope you can join us!  Topics of discussion include: How to start a business How to fund a business How to market a business plus more! This event will be held on Wednesday March 17th, 2021 from 12:00pm- 1:00pm. The Lunch 'n Learn will be an in-person, socially distanced meeting in the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Board Room, 246 W. Hancock Ave. Athens GA 30601 Pre-registration and advance payment is required. Members, $15 Non-Members, $25 Box Lunch from Em's Kitchen will be provided by your admission fee and choices includes: Italian Panini Turkey-Bacon Avocado Turkey Reuben Veggie Lover's (will also come with chips, cookie + drink)   Click below to register today. We can't wait to see you! Seating will be limited, so you don't want to wait! Register today

Meet our Guest Speaker: Laura Katz Area Director of University of Georgia's Small Business Development Center (Athens office) B.S. Organization Behavior & Leadership, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY M.B.A. Marketing, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY   Ms. Katz has extensive experience in marketing and business development for both large corporations and small business. She has helped develop, price and brought to market new products for companies such as Motorola, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco and Levi's. Click below to read more!

Join us for Business After Hours at Athentic Brewing Company! We are so excited to hold our 2nd Business After Hours in quite some time! Come join us for socially distanced networking and enjoy a beer and some nibbles! This event will be held on Thursday, April 1st from 5:00pm-7:00pm on 108 Park Ave Athens GA. As a special treat, Athentic Brewing has live jazz on Thursday's so come on out! This is a free event, but does require registrations to maintain a safe number of attendees (maximum 50); so confirm your attendance by clicking below! Register today

Missed the Annual Meeting? Want to watch it again? See below!

If you'd like to watch the Annual Meeting, the AACOC is offering two ways of viewing on our site: Watch the entire annual Meeting Event Choose a portion of the Annual Meeting that you'd like to view Click below to take a look! View

Thank you again to all of our Annual Meeting Sponsors!

Hear from one of our Annual Meeting Sponsors, ByoPlanet International! ByoPlanet International would like to give you and your small business the opportunity to be operating back at full capacity. ByoPlanet has been working with the Classic Center, Burton & Burton, UGA Athletics, North Georgia Foodbank, and local churches to enable a return to more normal times, and we would like to offer this opportunity to our fellow members of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and local businesses. Our industry-leading Electrostatic disinfection sprayers have been developed and are produced in Athens and when combined with a proven protocol and chemistry will help you to have both your staff and customers feeling safe during the current pandemic. ByoPlanet Internationals’ electrostatic technology delivers maximum disinfection productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.   ByoPlanet’s Electrostatic sprayers: Enable rapid and easy disinfection treatment in any facility, large and small  Convert pressurized liquid- air flow mixture into an atomized spray plume of small droplets and apply a negative charge that then allows the droplets to adhere to a surface with superior coverage View

Provide 360 degree wrap with small particles covering over , under, and around surfaces, that are usually missed with traditional pump spray systems Enable the elimination of cold and flu viruses and numerous bacteria, MRSA, Norovirus, H1N1, E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and Covid-19 (to name a few) Provide coverage far superior to conventional tools like pump- sprayers and foggers Save time, money, and labor ByoPlanet International wants to help the people of Athens feel safe and give back to the small business community of Athens. This service includes a one-time complimentary spray as well as a tutorial on how to use the product and where and how to purchase. If you are interested in learning more about Electrostatic Disinfecting and our complimentary disinfecting service, please contact Deborah Krause at dkrause@byoplanet.com

Read more: CloroxPro™ Partners with ISSA and Global Biorisk Advisory Council to Launch Clorox® Total 360® System Donation and GBAC Scholarship Program Click here to read the article!

Meet our Ambassador of the Month!

Meet Our Ambassador of the Month:  Hannah Angel, Global Escapes! Building relationships with clients is the foundation of Global Escapes, and Hannah embodies that spirit to the fullest. As their newest travel advisor, she quickly won the hearts of clients, who have praised her infectious enthusiasm, ability to truly empathize with their needs, and assist when help is needed most. A self-proclaimed beach girl, Hannah’s most memorable travel experiences include adventuring in Hawaii for two weeks with her family; exploring the seaside villages of Nova Scotia during a work assignment; and traveling to Jamaica, where the residents’ authentic joy despite financial hardships changed her life. When she’s not researching unique itineraries for her clients, you can find Hannah cracking us up with her terrible puns, organizing get togethers for the Young Professionals Network, heading up the silent auction for Extra Special People’s Big Hearts fundraiser, or bouncing around concert venues. We are so happy to have Hannah as a part of the AACOC Ambassadors. Thank you Hannah! Learn more

You Don't Want to Miss This!

Secure your position in the Official 2021 Athens Area Chamber Guide! The Athens Area Chamber Community Guide is a great resource for businesses and townies alike! Those who advertise in the Chamber Guide will enjoy numerous benefits and the ability to reach various members of the Athens community. If you would like to be featured in this guide, please reach out to Nelson Smith, Regional Marketing Executive at (404) 625-4153 or at the email address below! Email

Join Classic City Chiropractic for their Ribbon Cutting on Friday, March 19th at 2pm! Classic City Chiropractic in partnership with the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting on Friday, March 19th at 2pm! During the event, Classic City Chiropractic will be hosting a Grand Opening and an Open House! Join us in welcoming Classic City Chiropractic to the Athens Community! This event will be hosted in-person at 514 Macon Highway, Athens, GA 30606! No registration is needed! Click below to learn more! Learn more

Members in the News!

March for Meals Virtual 5k with Meals on Wheels and ACCA! Each year, the entire month of March is designated as March for Meals! Sponsored nationally by Meals on Wheels America and locally by the Athens Community Council on Aging, the month is celebrated with a variety of opportunities to learn more about and experience the efforts at filling the plates of the older adults within our own community who are homebound or without the resources to prepare a healthy meal for themselves. Join the ACCA’s 11th annual March for Meals Virtual 5K from March 21st-March 27th! Register for the March for Meals Virtual 5K today and then head outside and run your 5K in your neighborhood, at your local park or on your treadmill before noon on Saturday, March 27. Don’t forget! Please share your virtual race pictures with us on social media with the hashtag #m4mVR2021 To read more, click below! Learn more

TAKE THE PLUNGE: YWCO Celebrates Reopening of the Pool Saturday, March 6! To kick-off the grand reopening of the YWCO pool the YWCO is hosting a Cool Pool Plunge on Saturday, March 6 at 2:00 p.m. The YWCO pool has been closed for six weeks to complete extensive replastering of the pool. The Cool Pool Plunge will give YWCO members and friends the chance to be the first to jump into the pool and kick-off a new season of swimming at the YWCO.  Beginning at 2:00 p.m. on March 6 the YWCO pool, 562 Research Drive will be open for brave swimmers to jump into the 60 degree water to celebrate the last phase of the renovations. The pool heater will be turned on Monday, March 8 and by Thursday, the YWCO will be heated to 84 degrees, ready for YW members to begin their regular class and swim schedule.   Learn more

Immediately following the Cool Pool Plunge participants will be treated to ice cream from Cool World Ice Cream Shop. They will receive a Cool Pool Plunge certificate acknowledging their participation in the celebration and bragging rights that they survived their dip in the cold waters.   The cost for participation in the Cool Pool Plunge is $10 with the proceeds going toward the YWCO aquatics programs.  Pre-registration is not required. This event kicks-off the spring swim season at the YWCO.   To read more, click below!

Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty Named to Prestigious Chairman's Circle! Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty has been named to the prestigious Coldwell Banker® Chairman’s Circle. This designation is awarded to companies who attained closed adjusted gross commission income of $10,000,000 or more during the 2020 calendar year. Only the top 9% of all Coldwell Banker companies in North America qualified and Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty is one of only 59 Coldwell Banker companies to receive this distinguished award. Read more at the link below! Learn more

Want to be featured in the Members in the News Section? To be featured in the Members in the News Section, submit your content to our 'Members in the News' section (events, press releases, employee recognitions, etc) through the Member Portal! Feel free to contact kim@athensga.com with questions! Learn more

Member Testimonials!

Hear Tammy Lindsay's Member Testimonial from the Lindsay Group! "I just wanted to thank you and the Athens Area Chamber for establishing the Drugs Don’t Work Program. We are a Drug-Free workplace and one of the requirements is providing information to our employees on how drugs effect our lives as well as providing information on how to get assistance if needed. We were paying for this service and now the Chamber’s FREE program will save us even more, on top of the 7.5% we save by being a Drug-Free Workplace. The Chamber is not only saving us money, you are potentially saving lives!" - Tammy Lindsay, Lindsay Group If you would like to send in a testimonial to the Chamber, use the link below! If you have any questions, please email victoria@athensga.com Send in a Testimonial

Special greetings to our new member of the week! Welcome!

Welcome to the AACOC, Dynamic Capital Group at Northwest Asset Management! We are so happy to have you on board! Dynamic Capital Group provides comprehensive, personalized portfolio management and financial planning to individuals and families. Their goal is to build personalized portfolios and financial plans that meet the needs of each of their clients.   Whatever stage of life you’re in, Dynamic Capital Group can guide you through the opportunities and challenges ahead. The portfolios and financial plans they offer are fully customizable, and they will be with you each step of the way to review your situation and make adjustments that meet your ever changing needs and goals. Learn more about our newest member below! Learn more

Welcome to the AACOC, Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Athens! We are so happy to have you on board! Family Connection is in every county in Georgia and envisions a Georgia where all children are healthy, ready to start school and do well when they get there, and where every family is stable and self-sufficient.  The key to strengthening Georgia’s families is collaboration at the local level to develop and implement plans based on each community’s needs. Every collaborative organization coordinates a planning process that: identifies needs and resources sets goals and priorities evaluates strategies, programs, and practices measures and reports results. Local Family Connection organizations are focused on improving child and family well-being in five areas: healthy children children ready to start school children succeeding in school stable, self-sufficient families, and strong communities  Learn more about our newest member below! Learn more

Get Involved with Athens!

Books for Keeps: One Books Athens Launch! One Book Athens is an annual, community-wide, shared discussion of a common book. Other communities have hosted this effort, and Books for Keeps is bringing it to Athens for the first time, and would love for businesses to get involved! Ways to get involved: Purchase copies of the book for adults: $450 purchases 25 copies of the book for adults in which businesses are encouraged to keep copies for pickup at your business location. Your business will then be promoted as a location for pickup for community members which provides you recognition and free traffic. Purchase copies of the book for students: $310 purchases 50 copies of the book for middle and high school students to be distributed directly to students. You will still be recognized in promotional materials used for social media and other outlets. Participate in the community wide read in 2021 by participating in community wide book discussions and events, hosting reading and discussions at your place of business, etc.! If interested, email Leslie Hale below! Email

Are you interested in providing highway construction services to GDOT? Join the GDOT for their "Pathway to Success" Web Series! Each webinar in this series will identify key milestones & prerequisites in preparation for pursuing GDOT state funded project opportunities. Crossing “Mile Marker 2” on the “Pathway to Success” will provide you with step by step instructions on how to register your business as a Vendor with GDOT’s Office of Construction. Learn the why, who, what, where, when and how of Form 478! Learn more

Join Avid Bookshop for the Publication Launch of Bestselling author Kim Scott's brand-new book, Just Work: Get Sh*t Done, Fast and Fair! Employers, employees, and those seeking a job change will not want to miss this incredible opportunity to hear in real time from speaker and bestselling author Kim Scott. Avid Bookshop is thrilled to host a day-of-publication launch for Kim Scott's brand-new book, Just Work: Get Sh*t Done, Fast and Fair. This is a virtual event taking place on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, from 7pm - 8pm EST via Zoom.   Support Athens, Georgia's only independent bookshop (and Kim Scott, of course!) by purchasing the book from Avid Bookshop here. Learn more

American Red Cross: Volunteer Blood Donor Ambassadors Needed! Help save lives in the Athens community by becoming a Volunteer Blood Donor Ambassador with American Red Cross! Blood Donor Ambassadors assist with blood drives and enhance the overall blood donor experience. Read below for additional information: There is an increased need for Blood Donor Ambassadors (BDAs) due to the additional screening and sanitizing needs at all of our drives. The purpose of the role is to assist with temperature taking, registration and giving the donor a great experience at the blood drives in order to encourage future donations. Shifts are based on the individual’s availability and the scheduled drives in the area. Volunteers are able to self-schedule on-line with the request that they work at least 1 shift per month.   If interested, email below! Learn more

The Culinary Kitchen of Athens: The Winter Community Market 2021 is Finally Here! Don't let the cold weather keep you away! Winter Community Market 2021 has gathered your favorite local shops and makers together so you can purchase goods during the winter season! The Winter Community Market will be held every Saturday, January 9th to March 13th from 11:00 am-2:00 pm. It will be held at Hendershot’s Coffee located on 237 Prince Ave, Athens, GA 30601. To apply as a vendor or to learn more about the event, visit the website below! Learn more

Easter Drive-Thru Eggstravaganza brought to you by Macaroni Kid Athens! Athens Macaroni Kid is hosting an Easter Drive-Thru Eggstravaganza event on March 20th from 2:00pm-5:00pm! This will be located at the Village at Franklin Grove Parking Lot on 2971 Monroe Hwy, Bogart, GA 30622. About the Event: Hop in your car, bring your basket, and drive thru Franklin Grove's parking lot to receive eggs and goodies along the way from lots of local businesses!  Only one ticket per vehicle is needed!  Craft kits from Treehouse Kid & Craft included for every child The Easter Bunny and Characters from Enchanted Events Socially distanced photos Please note that you will not be able to exit your vehicle during this event. Masks are required. Athens Macaroni Kid is inviting local businesses to participate for free! If needed, they will also offer to help businesses purchase the items needed to participate. If you'd like to participate as a business click here! This is a great opportunity for families to enjoy something fun and safe while also supporting and highlighting our locally owned businesses! Click below for more information! Learn more

Athens YMCA, Sally Sheppard and The Cottage: National Child Abuse Prevention Month is this coming April! April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Athens YMCA believes keeping our children safe is one of the most important things we can do as a community. They are using the month of April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, as a springboard to spread awareness about child abuse and how to prevent it in our communities. In doing so, Athens YMCA has teamed up with Sally Sheppard and The Cottage to offer 4 sessions on child abuse—an initiative called Pinwheels for Prevention. These 50-minute sessions range in topics and are open to the public at no cost. Sessions include: April 1st - 10am and 6pm April 13th - 10am and 6pm April 20th - 10am and 6pm April 27th - 10am and 6pm To sign up for a session, use this link. Click below for more information on each session! Learn more

Announcements

Have you gotten your College Factory Gear? Grab a T-Shirt or Hoodie through March 14th! College Factory is a non-profit organization with the mission of empowering youth in the Athens community to achieve their post-secondary goals. College Factory believes every child should have the chance to maximize their educational opportunities.  They provide high school students with free personalized college coaching and low-cost test prep courses. They also host free college planning workshops to help families make informed choices about their options. In the past year, College Factory has served over 120 local students. Your purchase of a College Factory t-shirt will be an investment in the next generation of leaders and innovators in the Athens community.   Learn more at www.collegefactory.org or click below! Learn more

Join the Love Athens Hard Campaign! In an effort to support healthcare workers in our community, Tribe Hair Company has created the Love Athens Hard campaign and would love for your business to be involved! At the start of the pandemic, nurses received tons of donations to help make their days a little brighter during difficult times. As the pandemic has progressed, those donations have decreased, but the burden on health care workers has not. If your business is willing to give resources/small donations (cards, gift baskets, snacks, etc), please reach out to Tribe Hair Company at tribehaircompany@gmail.comor message Tribe Hair Company on social and they will sign you up for a specific drop-off date. Let's come together to support our community healthcare workers! Contact

Brightpaths: Starry Starry Night Virtual Auction! Join Brightpaths in the effort to prevent child abuse and neglect of all kinds in Athens, Oconee and the surrounding areas by participating in the upcoming Starry Starry Night Virtual Auction! The auction takes place at events.handbid.com March 25-28. Follow Brightpaths on social media for more information and sneak peaks at auction items such as a Matt Ryan signed jersey, Mexican vacation package, amazing art, and goods and services from some of your favorite local businesses! Together we can give the children in our community safe and healthy childhoods.  Click below for more information! Learn more

Escape Plans: A virtual event with memorable Costa Rica! There are many fascinating regions that travelers planning a Costa Rican vacation can consider visiting during their stay at the World’s #1 Ecotourism Destination. All too often, travelers get overwhelmed with the huge variety of experiences at their fingertips in this gorgeous tropical destination. Memorable Costa Rica’s mission is to design memorable Costa Rica vacations intended to exceed your expectations. Global Escapes partners with their professional Costa Rica travel agents dedicated exclusively to creating Costa Rica packages and itineraries customized to each individual client’s interests. Come learn how to make the most out of your vacation, and even more important, learn how to experience the much sought-after “Pura Vida”! Event Details: This event will be held virtually on Thursday, March 11th from 11:30am-12:30pm! Click here for the link! Click below for more information! Learn more

The Red & Black wants your feedback! What news matters to you? What issues do you care about ? What do you want in a news app? The Red & Black has covered UGA and Athens since 1893 and is always looking for better ways to serve readers. Take the 60-second survey to provide your input. (Plus: Everyone who answers is entered in a drawing for a $100 gift card). Click below to take the survey! Learn more

Join the St. Joseph Catholic Parish School for the 22nd Annual St. Joe's Jog 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run! Join St. Joseph Catholic Parish School for their 22nd Annual St. Joe’s Jog 5K and 1 mile fun run​ (Virtual Race) using www.active.com! To participate, you will be asked to run 3.1 miles any day between Friday, March 19th and Saturday, March 27th at Noon. Submit your finish time using link: http://tiny.cc/21StJoesJog5KTimes Finish times submitted after Noon on March 27th will not be included in the results. Registration for thus event has been extended until Friday, March 12th! All participants will receive a finisher medal and t-shirt! To learn more, click below! Learn more

Thank you to all of our 2021 Chamber Champions!

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