WEEKLY NEWS & EVENTS
Another Record-Setting Membership Event
Thank you to all the team chairs, captains and volunteers who supported the Blount Chamber during the membership event last week. The love and confidence you have in this organization is tremendous and it inspires us to continue to make the voice of business heard even louder.

With the assistance of nearly 300 community volunteers, the Blount County Chamber of Commerce became the second chamber in the nation to top $400,000 in community programming dollars from 383 new and upgraded memberships during a two-day membership event produced by Your Chamber Connection.
 
The $423,228 is the most ever generated by a chamber in the state of Tennessee, surpassing the Blount Chamber’s previous total of $328,290 in 2019. These dollars go towards workforce development, cradle to career learning, human resource programs, supporting existing industry, small business development, young professionals program, community development and more.
 
Only San Antonio, Texas ($501,503) generated more community dollars during an event than the Blount Chamber’s total in the over 30 years of membership events conducted by Your Chamber Connection.
 
Volunteers earning the event’s top honors in leading the most productive teams were Drew Miles of Miles Farmer Insurance Agency and Robyn Blair of DENSO, who were named Godfaddah and Godmuddah, respectively. (Pictured above).
 
Miles and Blair were two of 11 chairs who guided color-coded teams that worked against the clock and each other to sign up and upgrade members while creating a greater community awareness of the chamber’s activities.

Blount County Chamber of Commerce Membership Event Award Recipients
Godfaddah: Drew Miles, Miles Farmers Insurance Agency
Godmuddah: Robyn Blair, DENSO
Godfaddah in Training: Jeremy LaDuke
Godmuddah in Training: Fran Bennett
GoodFellas: Chuck Mabe, Kevin Painter, Tracy Queen, Abhijit Verekar, Carmen Simpher, Pat McGill, Justin Marcus
Sandbag Queen: Godmuddah Kathy Johnson 
It’s Better to Look Good Than Sell: David Clearman, Daniel Pierce, Aaron Henry
Best Runners in the USA: Jennifer Wackerhagen and the Runner Team
Early Voting Is Open
Early voting for the August 4 Federal & State Primary, County General, Friendsville & Townsend City Election, Alcoa & Maryville school board has begun and runs through July 30. You must present a valid photo ID to vote. For more information, click here.
High Performers
You will learn how to be intentional in building high performing teams by identifying challenges teams face and the qualities that help teams work well together and get results.

Workshop conducted by by Melissa Spangler, Clear Leader Group on August 3 at 8:30 a.m. at the Blount Partnership.

Drive Sales Using PR
Public relations is a cost-friendly, highly effective strategy for generating inbound leads and boosting sales. In this hands-on workshop on August 4, Fletcher Marketing PR’s leadership team will share insider secrets for adding the power of PR to your marketing strategy.
Young Professionals Community Event
Join Blount County Young Professionals for a day of service with Keep Blount Beautiful, followed by lunch at Peaceful Side Social and ending the day tubing down the river with River Rat on July 30.
Get Noticed
Sponsorship opportunities are available for upcoming Blount Partnership events. Now is a chance to be part of these community events. Click the link below to learn more and sign up to be a sponsor.
Don't Fly Solo
On August 26 from 8-10 a.m., Sky City Entrepreneur Center members and staff talk connections: why they're important, how to make them, and where to go for help along the way. This Soft Skills session is held on-site at the Sky City Entrepreneur Center located at 608 Ellis Ave., Maryville.

Small Business Resources
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center hosts a myriad of online training webinars to assist in all facets of businesses.
View a full list of upcoming workshops and trainings with the SBDC or request a free advising session.
Volunteers Needed
Crew members are a vital part of making sure the GSM Hot Air Balloon Festival comes together as planned. Duties include:
  • Time commitment from 3-10 p.m.
  • Physical labor required
  • Unloading & inflating the balloon
  • Standing the balloon upright
  • Assisting balloon riders
  • Putting the balloon away
  • Access to hospitality room for snacks and drinks
  • Hot Air Balloon T-shirt
  • Community service hours approved 
7/19-20 at Townsend Visitor Center
7/21-24 at Townsend Visitor Center
7/21 at Tri-Hop Brewery
7/22 at GSM Heritage Center
7/22 at Blount Memorial Hospital
7/25-28 at Townsend Visitor Center
7/26 at Sky City Entrepreneur Center
Full List of Events
Max It Out
Learn more about the Blount Chamber and the many opportunities that go along with being a member. Get the most of the benefits afforded to you by registering for Maximize Your Membership workshop August 4 at 8:30 a.m.
Save the Date
July 28 -- Coffee Club
August 25 -- Coffee Club
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS