Volunteer Spotlight: Chamber Intern Jordan Whetstone
November 21, 2011
Jordan Whetstone has been a volunteer intern at the Chamber of Commerce since September 2011. She graduated from The Donoho School in 2007 and Birmingham Southern College in 2011 with a degree in Asian Studies.
“Interning at the Chamber is great experience and I get to go around with Sherri Sumners, President of the Chamber, and see everything she does and it is very enlightening,” said Jordan. “This has given me a better idea of how my community works.”
“Some people overlook all the special events happening in and around town, and I never realized what an important role the Chamber played in the planning and organization of these events. I honestly didn’t realize all the things the Chamber does and how involved they are. Now, I realize, if I am ever visiting somewhere, I should go to the local Chamber if I have any questions or need any assistance.”
Jordan is considering continuing her education at Jacksonville State University. She is heavily involved at her church, Grace Episcopal Church, by helping out at various events and singing in the choir. If not volunteering, singing, or playing her clarinet she will probably be caught reading a good book.
Thanks Jordan for all you do!
New Member Spotlight: ICON Salon & Boutique
November 14, 2011
Anniston’s newest salon and Boutique is the place to be for the most current trends and classic styles. With its upscale feel, you will be pampered with a massaging shampoo and aroma-therapy hot towel. Our stylists are nationally trained and ready to serve you with professional, beautiful results every time! From wine tasting on Wednesday night to our boutique full of clothing fromL.A.and N.Y.C, you will be amazed and refreshed when you leave. Names like MISSME denim and D-9 (made by Lucky brand) are some of the fashions you will love from ICON.
We are now offering the MYSTC Tan, an automated, private, u-v free tanning system. We are very proud to say it is the only one in Calhoun County!
ICON is offering a “try me” price of 19.99 on Tuesday. So, come in and try the newest innovation in tanning…No worries of skin cancer, age spots, or dry skin. MYSTIC will produce bronze, moisturized results that last 7-10 days with no orange or streaking…Guaranteed!
Located at 22nd & Quintard inAnniston,AL
Call 256-236-7771 for an appointment or walk-in today!
“Like” us on Facebook – www.iconsalonandboutique.com
ICON Salon & Boutique carries a full line of PAUL MITCHELL, REDKEN, MOROCCAN OIL, I.C.O.N and HEMPZ hair care products.
EXCLUSIVE…YET AFFORDABLE!
For a complete listing of Chamber members, please visit www.calhounchamber.com.
“Bringing the Chamber to You”
November 4, 2011
The Chamber was looking for a way to reach out to all Chamber members and get feedback. The “Bringing the Chamber to You” Campaign was developed to accomplish this goal.
Anna-Marie Moorer is just one of the many Ambassadors participating in this campaign. Below is a summary of her experience with the campaign.
“Ambassadors are paired with a board member and given a list of companies to meet with each quarter. My partner is Rodney Owens with the Anniston Water Works. Together we have visited our members asking for feedback on current Chamber activities, the direction they would like to see the Chamber go, and filling them in on upcoming Chamber events.”
Thus far, certain themes are emerging from the collected information. For instance, many members enjoy the many networking opportunities they receive as Chamber members, but they would love to see more opportunities added. Other suggestions received through this survey revealed that Chamber members want to tell people things they don’t know about the community, form new partnerships in order to reach new people and areas, and recognize those who volunteer and support the Chamber more often.
The volunteers, like those participating in the “Bringing the Chamber to You” campaign, are doing a great job and gathering great information for the Chamber to utilize.
Anna-Marie summarizes the success of the campaign with “We have had the opportunity to meet new people and visit with old friends, all to help benefit the Chamber.”
Thank you volunteers and Chamber members for all your contributions to Calhoun County, which make it a great place to work and live.
The Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce
256-237-3536
Anniston 2020: One of America’s Best Small Towns
October 21, 2011
Defense and Security Day/Leadership Calhoun County
Today, I skipped a state library meeting for what I consider a “once in a lifetime” experience, an adult field trip to The Depot and The Center for Domestic Preparedness. First and foremost, I learned that if a soldier drives it, shoots it or eats it, the Depot probably had something to do with it, and the military is the largest industry in the state. The Depot has continued to remain in operation as it partners with other industries to help meet their goals. They do there best to add value to their current clients, but are also always seeking new partnerships. The Depot has won 2 “Shingo” awards, which is like the manufacturing equivalent to the Nobel Peace Prize. We got to see Strykers being made and newly refurbished machine guns being tested. I encourage each of you to talk to your friends, who work at The Depot, and find out for yourselves why it is such a great place to work.
Next, we went across town to the CDP atFt.McClellan. Class members went through a metal detector, but no gun parts from The Depot were found. Mariah almost got squirted by fake blood spurting from the newly amputated leg of a $35,000 mannequin used in medical catastrophe training situations. We also viewed what I’ll affectionately refer to as “Teddy Bear Triage,” which related to a mass casualty situation. Finally, we saw where they train folks to respond to chemical disasters and terrorism. It was a real eye opener to think about what it would be like to be a leader in such a situation. Sure made me appreciate my day job.
Contributing Author: Donna Satterlee Ross
TheCalhounCountyChamber of Commerce
2011 Business EXPO Recap
October 20, 2011
The 2011 Business EXPO was yet another large, fun, and successful networking event.
Hundreds of people perused the exhibits of our Chamber members.
Around 100 exhibitors displayed their goods and services to those in attendance. This year, there were pirates, golfing, food, and more.
Exhibitors saw the EXPO as a great way to visit with current customers and meet new clients.
There was a smorgasbord of food for lunch during the first “Taste of Calhoun County” competition of the day. Covalli’s Italian Kitchen took home the prize for Best Lunch.
Later on, awards were distributed for Best Non-profit Booth to both YMCA and Relay for Life. Thanks to Buster Miles, the Chamber’s donation was matched so that both non-profits received $300 for their organization.
The awards for Best Booths went to the following: 3rd place to Northeast Alabama Surgical Association, 2nd place to AOD Federal Credit Union, and 1st place to Abbey Carpet & Flooring.
That night, the “Taste of Calhoun County” 2011 Winners were announced as follows:
Best Authentic Dish: Mellow Mushroom
Best Dessert: McAlister’s Deli
BestSandwich: Honeybaked Ham
Best Ribs: Heroes
Best Wings: Sonny’s Bar-B-Q
Best Chicken: Covalli’s Italian Kitchen
Best Pizza: Covalli’s Italian Kitchen
Best BBQ: Smoke-N-Hot BBQ
The Overall Taste of Calhoun County 2011 Winner: Smoke-N-Hot BBQ
If you didn’t get to attend this year’s EXPO, join us at next year’s event!
The Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce
$20 on the 20th
October 20, 2011
Dear Calhoun County,
Help us say thank you to our local businesses by spending an extra $20 on the 20th of each month.
Most things you need can be found locally. Shopping locally provides jobs and not only supports our local merchants but also our schools. Not only is shopping locally convenient, but it also helps fund local police, fire stations, emergency agencies, and our roads.
For instance, if you purchase an average priced, new automobile locally, it adds around $688 in sales tax revenue. Purchasing gasoline locally contributes more than $112 to the local economy, and purchasing groceries locally contributes $312 to the local economy each year, in sales tax.
Local merchants often support community groups, clubs, teams, and charities. So, as you can see, everyone wins when you buy local, and the money circulates through the local economy, again and again, aiding in business growth, job creation, lower taxes, public services, and civic pride.
If we simply switched just 5% of the money we spend elsewhere and buy local, over $2 million in local sales tax revenue would be generated and result in more jobs, better schools, better parks, lower taxes, improved public safety, and better streets and highways.
So, join us by spending $20 on the 20th. You too can make a difference when you shop local!
The Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce
A Week of Saluting Industries
September 27, 2011
Last week was action packed and opportunity filled for those who participated in the Salute to Industry Week festivities.
The week started with a networking opportunity for Chamber members as AOD Federal Credit Union hosted “Business After Hours.”
During the week, Chamber members also had the opportunity to tour and learn about three local industries: Advantage Logistics, Monarch Windows & Doors, and B.R. Williams Trucking and Logistics. These industries had the opportunity to introduce those, who one might not expect to see in their facilities, to their business in a short period of time. Much was learned about these industries throughout these tours. For instance, did you know that Advantage Logistics has 3.5 miles of conveyor belt in their facility?
The Chamber’s Salute to Industry Golf Outing was help at Cider Ridge Golf Club. 130 participants played an enjoyable round of golf and had the opportunity to play or be paired with someone they might not have known before the golf tournament. Participants and sponsors had the opportunity to spend fours hours getting to network with one another. We want to thank these participants and various sponsors for making this event possible.
The week was brought to a close with the Salute to Industry Breakfast at McClellan Park Medical Mall. Those, who attended the tours on Wednesday, were quizzed on their gathered knowledge in a friendly game of “Industrial Pursuit,” and Robin Scott of the McClellan Development Authority addressed those gathered about the Fort property and its future. The breakfast served as yet another wonderful time to socialize and network.
So, as you see, this week allowed participants to see the various contributions local industries make to the Calhoun County area, and for that, we are so grateful because they truly help make Calhoun County a great place to work and live.
The Area’s Best Networking Opportunity
September 20, 2011
On the third Tuesday of every month, Business After Hours events are held at various Chamber member locations. For instance, last month’s event was held at Anniston Country Club and was sponsored by ERA King Real Estate.
Business After Hours serves as an networking opportunity in a very social yet very relaxed setting. Members have the chance to meet fellow members and people, who represent the various sized businesses, products and services of Calhoun County and its surrounding area. According to Danny Shears, co-owner of Moore Printing, “Business After Hours has allowed me, over the last several years, to not only establish new customers but to also further build relationships with people in the business community.”
These networking opportunities increase members’ business contacts, exposure, and publicity. When meeting and mingling with the hundreds of other members, at such events, they then know of your business and can assist you with questions, requests, and referrals. The Chamber strives to make things happen for your business.
AOD Federal Credit Union’s President & C.E.O., Kenneth R. Reynolds, expresses that, “AOD Federal Credit Union is pleased to host the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce September Business After Hours event this evening. The Chamber of Commerce excels at promoting the interests of businesses within our county. AOD FCU is excited to provide another opportunity for chamber members to network with other business leaders and expand their knowledge base of local industries.”
Business After Hours is just one of the many opportunities to network and unite with influential people, of our community, in order to discuss innovative ideas with people of a common interest.
The Chamber is truly all about the people, ideas, influence, connections, area businesses, and the future of Calhoun County. Come join us, so you too can play a part in making the Calhoun County area a great place to work and live!
The Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce (256)237-3536 www.calhounchamber.com
There is no “I” in TEAM: LCC Day 1
September 19, 2011
I joined 26 classmates Thursday for our first day of Leadership Calhoun County. To look at us, you wouldn’t think we had much in common. We spanned both ends of the spectrum when it came to age, physical abilities, height, weight, and backgrounds. Some in the group were born and raised here. Others, like myself, have lived in the Calhoun County area less than a year.
Yet a day that started with us struggling to remember the 26 other names in our group ended, at least for me, with a feeling that we’d all gained 26 new friends and that we all had much more in common than we’d realized. By the end of the day our group had scaled a 12 foot wall without any ropes or climbing gear, walked blindfolded through the woods, passed each team member through a handful of tiny holes no bigger than the diameter of a basketball rim, and dropped ourselves blindly off a perfectly good wooden post.
Completing our challenges required as much mental exercise as it did physical. It was literally impossible for one person to complete any of the tasks alone. This forced us to plan and work together. Some in our group were apprehensive about the challenges. There were others who, I must admit, I doubted could meet the physical demands of some tasks. But we put our trust in each other and got through each challenge as a team. With each activity, different people filled different roles, sometimes leading and other times taking direction. It reminded me that effective leadership means knowing when you need to lead and when you need to be led.
It was obvious the pride we felt as a team when someone, who was unsure of themselves or seemed physically frail, completed the tasks with the help of teammates. I think watching them succeed was the most inspiring part of the day for me. It was also uplifting to see that 27 different people could start the day as mostly strangers and finish it with a feeling of camaraderie and accomplishment. It makes me proud to live in this community and excited for the future of Calhoun County.
By Contributing Author
Derek Jensen
The Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce (256)237-3536 www.calhounchamber.com
Are you Smarter than a Smartphone?
September 15, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, the Chamber hosted a workshop on “Increasing Sales with a Smartphone,” presented by Appalachian Regional Commission. The always wonderful McAlister’s Deli catered the meal, and we would like to thank the East Alabama Regional Planning Commission for bringing the workshop to town!
What’s a smart phone you ask? Good question, and Donna Fathke admits, “I had to look it up when we started talking about this class. A smart phone is any phone that can download and use applications. You can use your smart phone to process credit cards, get ads out to your customers, create a buzz about your specials, reward your customers for loyalty, and direct people to websites. It turns out, if you want your phone to do something, there’s probably an app out there that can do it!”
The presentation was thoroughly informative, and the statistics presented were sometimes mind-boggling.
Did you know, today in the US, there are 82 million smartphones in circulation, which means one in every 3 people, 13 and older, own a smartphone? That figure, from Forrester Research, is expected to double by 2015, so in a mere four years, there will be 164 million smartphones in circulation. Some statistics predict mobile phone usage will bypass desktop usage. Can you believe that?
Well, with the data provided, one thing is clear, mobile outreach is the next frontier for business owners. Mobile marketing, etc. allows businesses to reach their customers directly, and this workshop, hosted by the Chamber, presented some of the various ways to engage customer bases: Apps, Foursquare, Twitter, QR Codes, and more.
Workshops, much like the one discussed above, are just one of the many perks that accompany Chamber membership. Workshops and seminars, hosted by the Chamber, continue to educate businessmen and women on the trends of the present and the future. Participation, in these events, allows participants to grow and develop their own business in this constantly evolving world and take away strategies and tactics to implement into their current programs. The Chamber provides these events as guiding opportunities, for the area businesses, to assist in developing a strong and healthy community.
Stay tuned and join us for more upcoming events. You won’t regret it!
If you missed this fantastic workshop but would like more information on Smartphones and sales, visit the link below for the workshop’s slide presentation. http://www.slideshare.net/shaggertyohp/increasing-sales-with-a-smart-phone
The Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce (256)237-3536 www.calhounchamber.com
calhounchamber
