Weekly Chamber Update Thursday August 29, 2013

Currahee Military Weekend planning is well underway for October 3^rd through the 6^th’ 2013!

New this year, the Stephens County Community Theater will perform the “A Musical Tribute to Our Veterans” live on Thursday October 3^rd at the Schaefer Center. On Saturday at the Airport there will be a Huey AND a Cobra helicopter available for rides. On Saturday afternoon at the Train Depot there is a “Grenade Toss”. On Saturday night October 5^th is the banquet and auction will be set up in tents on the original Camp Toccoa Property and the entertainment is a 1940’s radio show.

Also new this year, we want everyone to dress up in period dress likes it’s the 1940’s all weekend long. The hair dressers in town will offer 40’s hairstyles and there are plenty of army fatigues around.

Of course we’ll have all the weekend favorites returning: a community BBQ, a book signing, the Hangar Dance, the Currahee Challenge run; parachute demonstration jumps, a parade and a remembrance service on Sunday morning.

We’re distributing Currahee Military Weekend posters and rack cards now along with Toccoa Trivia and a County Quiz to all our front line businesses. These are the people who will meet and greet our out of town guests coming in to see the Southern Living Home and for the Currahee Military Reunion Weekend.

We need you all of you to give our out-of-town visitors and customers an amazing experience so that they do all our public relations for us. Please help us roll out the red carpet and make their day!

Few announcements for you:

Next Thursday, is a Business-After-Hours from 5pm-6:30pm at the Currahee Club for Currahee Home Builders and their new overnight accommodations house.  Please plan to attend this wine and cheese after hours affair and register in the drawing for a free overnight stay.   

Also, please register for the Social Media Marketing L-N-L on Tuesday September 10th from 11am to 1pm in the Mitchell Allen room. Learn how to use low cost social media marketing tools to gain visibility and dive sales.

Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to exhibit at the 2013 Northeast Georgia Job Fair & Career Expo at the NGTC-Currahee Campus on Friday Sept. 27^th.  There’s no charge for your booth space and lunch will be provided. Please call the DOL at 706-282-4514.     

That’s your weekly Update.  We hope you have a safe and happy Labor day!  I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President. 

Weekly Chamber Update, August 22, 2013

Currahee Military Weekend planning is well underway for October 3^rd through the 6^th’ 2013!

New this year we will have a show at the Schaefer Center on Thursday and the banquet will be held on the Camp Toccoa Property. We will also have the favorites – a community BBQ, veterans book signing & Hangar Dance on Friday;  a run, helicopter rides, parachute demonstration jumps, and parade on Saturday; and a remembrance service on Sunday morning.

We are distributing Customer Service & Hospitality Training materials, community calendars, Toccoa Trivia and the County Quiz to all our front line businesses. These are the people who will meet and greet our thousands of out of town guests coming in to see the Southern Living Home and for the Currahee Military Reunion Weekend.

We want to test your Toccoa Native Intelligence. How high is Toccoa Falls? How much higher than Niagara? How many miles of shoreline does Lake Hartwell Have? How many paratroopers trained at Camp Toccoa? Can you name all the Parachute Infantry Regiments? We’ve made extra copies of the training so call or come by the Welcome Center to get yours today!   

If you haven’t already please register your business to exhibit at the 2013 Northeast Georgia Job Fair & Career Expo at the NGTC-Currahee Campus on Friday Sept. 27^th.  There is no charge for your booth space and lunch will be provided. Please call the DOL at 706-282-4514.     

There is plenty to do this weekend! Oceans 11 is playing at the Schaefer Center, there is a huge Farmer’s Market at the Currahee Club and the Humane Shelter is having their annual dinner and auction at the NGTC Currahee Campus. For more information visit the Chamber’s Calendar at www.toccoagachamber.com.    

Our business is helping your business! Next Tuesday is the Chamber Member Orientation, next Wednesday is the Chamber Member Luncheon at BJ’s and save the date for the Social Media Marketing L-N-L on Tuesday September 10^th.

That’s your weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President. 

WNEG AM 630 Weekly Chamber Update, August 1, 2013

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

TODAY we have a special Ribbon Cutting Celebration for Damon Media Outdoor Advertising here at the Train Depot. Come meet owners Damon and Pat Bush and learn more about their billboard business. Hope to see you there!

Next Thursday August 8^th is the “Customer Service & Hospitality Training” facilitated by Ruth King of NGTC from 11:30an to 1pm in the Mitchell Allen Room. Participants will learn “customer service” tips and how to best promote Toccoa-Stephens County’s attractions, activities and events - as the best on earth. Please call to register your spot or if you cannot attend, to request class materials at 706-886-2132. 

Also next Thursday is a Business-After-Hours with a TWIST at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center - sponsored by American Pest Control. This event is the first annual Chamber Member/Guest Event. All Chamber members are inviting non-member guests to attend and enjoy complementary water melon, ice cream, rides on the water slide and door prizes. Reservations are kindly requested. That’s Thursday, August 8^th from 5:00 pm - 6:30 p.m. at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center.

Finally next weekend a national personal watercraft racing tour will be on Lake Hartwell from 9am to 4pm both days - hosted by the Hartwell Marina in Hartwell Georgia. The Lake Hartwell Triple Crown Water Cross will feature more than 150 athletes racing and performing stunts. The Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Directors in the Lake Hartwell region are working together including Anderson County South Carolina and Hart, Franklin and Stephens Counties Georgia.  The goal is to market the lake region as one destination, disregarding the county and state borders. Admission is free both days. For a complete schedule please call or come by the Welcome Center. 

Our business is helping your business! The Chamber mission is to serve, promote and protect our members to help them grow and prosper. Every day we give referrals and offer assistance with business challenges. Join us today and let’s work together for a better Toccoa-Stephens County.

That’s your weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President. 

WNEG Weekly Chamber Update, July 18 2013

Weekly Chamber Update as heard on WNEG AM 630 every Thursday at 6:45am, 12:45pm and 5:45pm.

Thursday July 18, 2013

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

Has anyone ever asked you: What’s there to do around here? Can you recommend a good restaurant? Where can I do some shopping? Or Where’s a good place to spend the night?

Well, with the Southern Living Showcase Home opening up from September through December and the Currahee Military Weekend in October we’ll have lots of visitors in town, asking us lots of questions.

To prepare for our out of town guests, the Chamber is presenting a “Customer Service & Hospitality Training” on Thursday August 8^th facilitated by Ruth King of NGTC from 11:30an to 1pm in the Mitchell Allen Room.

Customer Service is the new PR. Participants will learn “customer service” tips and how to best promote Toccoa-Stephens County’s attractions, activities and events as the best on earth. You must RSVP by calling the Chamber at 706-886-2132.      

I have a few announcements for you:

The TSC Tomorrow Visioning Champions will meet with the Leadership Action Team next Tuesday to discuss the next “Community Input” meeting with the J.W. Fanning Institute on September 12^th.  If you’d like a copy of the Toccoa-Stephens County community vision, please come by the Chamber or call 706-886-2132.

The deadline to register for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Power Lunch is Monday July 22^nd. Come hear Chamber President and CEO, Chris Clark on Thursday July 25^th at the Currahee Club from 11:30am to 1pm. Lunch is complimentary but you must RSVP by emailing powerlunch@gachamber.com.  

Next Thursday we have a special grand opening Ribbon Cutting Celebration for Damon Media billboard marketing here at the Train Depot. Hope to see you there!

Finally, this Saturday night don’t miss a variety of local bands playing live at the Ida Cox music festival on Doyle Street from 7pm to 10pm. That’s good music every Saturday night – through the end of July! 

Our business is helping your business! The Chamber offers enhanced visibility, referrals and assistance with business challenges. Join us today and let’s work together for a better Toccoa-Stephens County.

That’s your weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President. 

WNEG Weekly Chamber Update - July 10, 2013

Weekly Chamber Update as heard on WNEG AM 630 every Thursday at 6:45am, 12:45pm and 5:45pm.

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

At the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on May 22^nd, Barry Roberts, Chair of the T-SC TOMORROW VISIONING effort rolled out the vision for Toccoa-Stephens County. Twelve themes were identified and presented from the results of the “Community Input” meeting with the J.W. Fanning Institute back in September 2012.

Champions are now named as representatives of the themes. These Champions are committed citizens who, by virtue of their positions, are leading the efforts around their themes. They currently serve on committees and participate in events related to their assigned themes.

The goal is to make the most efficient use of our community’s limited resources by avoiding duplication of efforts and by focusing everyone on a single long-term vision. The Champions will meet with the Visioning “Leadership Action Team” on July 23^rd and we’ve set the date for the next “Community Input” meeting with the J.W. Fanning Institute on September 12^th at 6pm at the NGTC Currahee Campus.

If you’d like a copy of the Toccoa-Stephens County community vision, please come by the Chamber or call 706-886-2132.

I have a few announcements for you:

The Chamber is presenting a “Customer Service & Hospitality Training” on Thursday August 8^th facilitated by Ruth King of NGTC from 11:30an to 1pm in the Mitchel Allen Room. Customer Service is the new PR and it can make or break your business. Participants will learn “customer service” tips and how to best promote Toccoa-Stephens County’s tourist attractions, activities and events. Save the date for Thursday August 8^th     

Today we have a special grand opening Ribbon Cutting Celebration for the Swilling’s and Just Right Catering at their new location on Doyle Street in Downtown Toccoa. Hope to see you there!

There is still time to register for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Power Lunch with Chamber President and CEO, Chris Clark on Thursday July 25^th at the Currahee Club from 11:30am to 1pm.   

Finally, this Saturday morning is the Sage Market, Saturday afternoon Star Trek is playing at the Schaefer Center and Saturday night don’t miss Eddie & the Public Speakers playing live at the Ida Cox music festival on Doyle Street from 7pm to 10pm. That’s good music every Saturday night – through the end of July! 

Our business is your business! The Chamber offers enhanced visibility, referrals and assistance with business challenges. Join us today and let’s work together for a better Toccoa-Stephens County.

That’s your weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President.