Welcome New Welcome Center Director Sharon Crenshaw

Your Chamber of Commerce announced at the Annual Meeting last week we’ve hired Sharon Crenshaw as the new Welcome Center Director for Toccoa-Stephens County. 

As the Champion of Tourism, the new marketing effort will rely on staff energy and enthusiasm, using social media and the internet, rather than depending on a big budget for purchasing advertising. We plan to create unique and engaging social media campaigns to generate “buzz” about our tourism attractions and assets. 

Our new Welcome Center Director was born and raised in Orlando, FL. Sharon and her family moved to Toccoa in 1989 when her husband Jim Crenshaw accepted a job at the City of Toccoa. They fell in love with the town and the surrounding areas. Sharon’s father was a prop specialist in WWII and was sent to England where he met and married her mom.  Sharon enjoyed having Tea with her parents growing up and last year she gave Teas through her “Lily Brown’s Tea Room” at the former Victoria’s Sweet Treats location. Sharon is also an amateur photographer who enjoys catching the beauty of nature, unusual shots and glimpses of people who are not expecting their picture to be taken.

 

It’s a new day and a new direction at your Welcome Center. The Welcome Center is staffed with Saturday Specialist Joan Ritcey and Welcome Center Director Sharon Crenshaw. Also, Mr. Joe Ferguson, Chairman of the Stephens County Foundation and the Tugaloo Bend Heritage Site, has agreed to be the new Chairman of the Tourism Promotion Committee.  

Sharon will spend the summer familiarizing herself with all the tourism “points of interest” in Toccoa-Stephens County. She is looking forward to meeting the tourism partners and learning more about this beautiful community. Please help us welcome her to this new position and follow her journey on Facebook at the “Welcome Center for Toccoa-Stephens County”. 

I have a few announcements for you:

The Chamber’s 68^th Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony celebration was last week at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center.  Major accomplishments and outstanding achievements were recognized. Be sure to congratulate this year’s award winners! For a complete list please visit our Chamber web site, www.toccoagachamber.com

 

The Chamber’s 17^th Annual Golf Tournament, presented by North Georgia Credit Union, is at the award winning Currahee Club this Friday!  At 23 teams, the tournament is full and we have a “wait list” to play at this time.

We have a NEW marketing opportunity for you!  Your Chamber and “Deal Armstrong” are partnering to create an exclusive Chamber Member coupon flyer. There are online - marketing opportunities galore here, reaching close to 8,000 North Georgians, in 8 counties who have opted in to see regional deals. Call us today for more information and to reserve your spot. 

Finally, TODAY at 10am we have special Ribbon Cutting for Toccoa Insurance Agency at their new location on Rosedale behind Next To Me Medical Supplies. Come visit with Margaret Nix and learn more about how they provide insurance for business and individuals, with the personal service and attention you deserve. That’s 10am at the new location on Rosedale. 

There are so many great events happening this weekend. On Saturday is the Tugaloo Bend Snakes of NEGA program, and the Fast Track Touring Race at the Toccoa Speedway. Also, this weekend is the ACS Relay for Life. For more information see the community calendar at www.toccoagachamber.com   That’s your weekly update! I’m Wendi Bailey, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President!

Georgia Chamber Webinar Series Comes to Toccoa!

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce provides educational resources to help our local small business members succeed. One example of this is the bimonthly webinar series that focuses on topics important to small business. 

New this year the Chamber partnered with the Georgia Chamber to bring the series to our community through offering in-person viewings. You can now choose to attend in person or participate from your home or office. There are six webinars total in 2014. The one today was on “How to Hire, Train and Retain Top Talent. In June the topic is “Obtaining Capital & Funding for Growth.”

If you missed the presentation today you can still get the slide show hand outs and other class materials.  Call today to learn more about the Georgia Chamber small business resources and look for next Georgia Chamber webinar in June.

I have a few announcements for you:

Your Chamber and “Deal Armstrong” are partnering to create an exclusive Chamber Member coupon flyer. There are online marketing opportunities galore, reaching close to 8000 North Georgians, in 8 counties who have opted in to see regional deals. Call us today for more information and to reserve your spot. 

THANK YOU to the candidates for participating in the 2nd Political Forum last week - for a job well done. If you missed the forum, you can hear it on WNEG AM 630 again, on April 28^th to kick off the early voting period.

Congratulate the 2014 Business Plan Competition participants: Franklin Currahee Sanitation, Just Sew Pretty, The Center for Natural and Optimal Wellness and Victoria’s Sweet Treats & Boutique.  These entrepreneurs are completing the challenge this week. Their final Business Plans are due this Friday and the winner – who will receive over $8,000 in cash and prizes - will be announced at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on Thursday May 8th.  

Don’t miss your Chamber’s Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony celebration on Thursday May 8^th. Come watch Jay Doss present the awards, see outgoing Chairman Brain Akin, CEO of NGCU pass the baton to incoming Chairman Greg Roach, NGTC Currahee Campus Director, and hear comments from Commissioner Ron Jackson - the Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia.   

Finally, the Chamber’s Golf Tournament, presented by NGCU, is at the award winning Currahee Club on Friday May 16th.  New this year there is an earlier start, an excellent mulligan package, fantastic prizes and our sponsors will also get their ads placed on the chamber’s web site – first come first serve, while supplies last.    

For more information visit www.toccoagachamber.com.  That’s your weekly update! I’m Wendi Bailey, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President with your Weekly Chamber Update!

Two Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies: T-SC Humane Shelter & Quincy's

Hello, this is Wendi Bailey, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President with your Weekly Chamber Update.  

You are all invited to learn more about the benefits of “being” a certified Drug Free Workplace. Please mark your calendars for Thursday April 10^th. The Chamber is hosting the annual Drugs Don’t Work conference from 11am to 1pm in the 1^st Franklin Financial Training Room.

Have you ever wondered how much money your business could save on workers compensation premiums if you became certified drug free? Now is the time to call your insurance provider and find out.

The fee for the workshop is $10 for chamber members and $20 from non members and includes lunch and the program materials.  

It’s time to do your part, and become a certified drug free workplace, and in turn save 7.5% on Workers Compensation premiums. Call us today to reserve your spot at 706-886-2132.  

I have a few announcements for you:

Today we have two special Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies.

The first one is at 10am for the Toccoa Stephens County Humane Shelter and Director Jeff Roberts. Visit http://cm.toccoagachamber.com/list/member/toccoa-stephens-county-hearts-for-homeless-pets-toccoa-740 Come celebrate with Jeff, his staff and volunteers and hear about all the great things they are doing for the humane care of abandoned and stray dogs and cats. That’s 10am on Scenic Dr.

The second Ribbon Cutting is at 2pm for Quincy’s Family Restaurant and owner Reg Gowen. Visit http://cm.toccoagachamber.com/list/member/quincy-s-family-steakhouse-toccoa-458.  Come celebrate with Reg, his family and staff, and hear all about the features of the restaurant, including the large buffet, salad and dessert bar!  That’s 2pm on Big A Rd.

The WNEG Radio’s Home Health & Life Show is this Saturday March 29. Would you like to share a booth with the Chamber? We have a few more spots for members to co-op with us, work the booth and split the time. Call 886-2132.

Finally, next Thursday – we have a ribbon cutting for Mamatokiabri’s Trinkets and More Thrift Store and a Business-After-Hours at the X-Factor for our four “Business Plan Competition” participants.

That’s your weekly update! I’m Wendi Bailey, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President with your Weekly Chamber Update!

Drugs Don't Work Conference is April 10th

Have you ever wondered how much money your business could save on workers compensation premiums if you became certified drug free? Now is the time to call your insurance provider and find out.

It’s also time to mark your calendars for Thursday April 10^th. The Chamber is hosting the annual Drugs Don’t Work conference from 11am to 1pm in the 1^st Franklin Financial Training Room.

You are all invited to learn more about the benefits of “being” and or becoming certified Drug Free. The fee is $10 for chamber members and $20 from non members and includes lunch and the program.

Major Andy Myers, the Chief Deputy of the Stephens County Sheriff’s office is our speaker. Participants will learn about 1) how to identify drug use in the workplace, 2) hear updates on drug use in our area and about the different agencies and operations working together to address the issues; 3) learn about the local drug testing facilities and local employee assistance programs. This conference will satisfy all the training requirements for Drugs Don’t Work re-certification.

It’s time to become a certified drug free workplace and get your 7.5% savings on Workers Compensation premiums today.  

 

I have a few announcements for you:

Our online Chamber business directory received 8,500 hits in February. We added a “mobile directory” to compliment the Chamber’s paper and online directories. The mobile directory seen on the iPhones or iPads is a great way for visitors to find local deals and information quickly and hassle-free. Try Googling your business today and see what information comes up. Then call the Chamber to assist you. 

Today at 10am, we have a special Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Innovative Thread Designs in their new location at the Rose Lane Business Park.  Join us as we celebrate with Jennifer and Kevin and learn about the services they bring including custom logos for your business, monograms on different materials, you can bring an item in to be embroidered or they will provide the items for you.

That’s 10am in the Rose Lane Business Park. Visit their directory page at: http://cm.toccoagachamber.com/list/member/innovative-thread-designs-2546. We hope to see you there!

Next Thursday – we will have 2 ribbon cuttings. The Humane Shelter is at 10am and Quincy’s is a 2pm. Visit our calendar at http://cm.toccoagachamber.com/events/calendar  

    

2014 Business Plan Competition

We’ve officially kicked off the 2014 Business Plan Competition. Please congratulate our four entrepreneurs for participating this year: including Toby Derth with Just Sew Pretty, Jeff Patalan with Franklin Currahee Sanitation, Dr. Paul Dabny who is a Naturopathic and Integrative Medicine Consultant and Tori Head with Victoria’s Sweet Treats.  We have 14 prize sponsors, totaling more than $8,000. We look forward to assisting with developing their business plans and connecting them with the resources they need.   

The Clean Up the Community Challenge 2014 has begun. Cash Prizes of $1,000 for 1^st place, $500 for 2nd place and $250 for 3^rd place. The challenge is open to all citizens of Toccoa–Stephens County. Volunteers are welcome on the Chamber Team. Call to organize days and times for picking up roadside litter OR coordinating property beautification projects.    

Chamber volunteers are now conducting “Mystery Shopping” in Toccoa-Stephens County. What makes a business better is the way it addresses the known areas-of- need. It’s an ongoing process and the Chamber is here to help. Call us today to learn more. 

Today at 10am, we have a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Evan Oglesby Foundation on Pond Street. Join us as we celebrate this nonprofit who is recognized for empowering our youth to achieve excellence in education and athletics. The Foundation was recently recognized by the District 2 Public Health Office as one of the honorees of the “Celebrate Healthy North Georgia” initiative.

Also Today is a Business-After-Hours with Cindy Mathews and the Mountain Ed Charter High school.  Come meet site coordinators Debbie Gurley and Carolyn Man - and make new business connections.  

So, what can the Chamber do for you today? Need help with business education? Networking? Marketing? Or something else? I look forward to hearing ALL about what “programs or services” we could offer to help you grow your business this year.