ATHENS BUSINESS
APRIL 2015
Volume 29
No. 4
THE
CHAIRMAN’S CORNER with
Shane Sewell
Greetings fellow Chamber members! I hope everyone enjoyed a blessed Easter
holiday. Spring is upon us and it is refreshing to see the beauty of green grass and
blooming flowers. Speaking of refreshing, it was great to see a recent article in the
Knoxville News Sentinel ranking Knoxville-Area Chambers of Commerce by total
membership. Your Athens Chamber jumped from #10 last year to #3 on this year’s
list. This is due to all of the support and hard work many of YOU put into last year’s
Membership Event. I want to take this opportunity to say, “THANK YOU!” again to
all of you that volunteered during that event. We could not have done it without you!
It will not be long until summer arrives. One of the great community events the
Chamber helps to sponsor is the “Sounds of Summer” concert series. The musical
talent that performs in Downtown Athens at Market Park Pavilion is amazing and
these concerts are a great way to spend Saturday evenings during the summer. For
more information and for a concert series line-up visit the “Sounds of Summer”
Facebook page.
I want to remind all Chamber members that Chamber Diplomats are currently
making member calls. There are two things we need to ensure we have from you.
The first is feedback and suggestions for how the Chamber may serve you better.
The second is the most up-to-date information for you and your business. We look
forward to visiting with you soon!
If you are a new member and have not contacted the Chamber to schedule a
ribbon cutting, please call the Chamber at your earliest convenience to get it on the
calendar. Please contact Kay Simmons or Rob Preston by calling 423.745.0334 or
via email at [email protected].
Have you signed up for the 2015 PrimeTime Business Showcase? This year’s
PrimeTime event will be open to ALL Chamber members and provides a wonderful
opportunity for you to showcase your business to the community. The event will be
held Thursday, April 30th from 4:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. at Market Park Pavilion in
Downtown Athens. Registration is required and may be done on the Chamber’s
website www.athenschamber.org, or by calling the Chamber 423.745.0334, or by
email at [email protected].
June is fast approaching and that means it will not be long until Peyton Manning
comes to Athens. Make sure to purchase your tickets before they sell out. Program
only tickets are still available at $50 each. This event will be held at McMinn
County High School on Saturday, June 27th.
I hope to see you Thursday, April 16th at ARCpoint Labs of Athens during
Business Before Hours between 8:00a.m. and 9:00a.m. ARCpoint Labs is located at
409 Congress Parkway in Athens. Business Before Hours is a great way to network
while enjoying a cup of coffee and morning refreshments before you begin your
workday. Attendance has been great and we look forward to seeing you there!
Our “Shop Local” campaign continues to be in full swing. With springtime upon
us, it is a great time to visit our local businesses when you are shopping for clothes,
home improvement supplies, gifts, etc… One way to shop local is to be a part of the
monthly Cash Mob, which will be at Petsense on Thursday, Apri 9th. Come be a
part of the mob! When you shop local your sales tax dollars stay here to support our
schools and fund the services provided by our local municipalities.
Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber. I hope to see you at an
upcoming event soon!
A Publication
of the
Athens Area
Chamber
of Commerce
———————
423-745-0334
The March Spotlight is shining on...
2015 PRIME TIME
Thursday, April 30
4:30p.m. to 7:30p.m.
Market Park Pavilion
Downtown Athens
2015 Prime Time Business Showcase is an
opportunity for all Chamber members to SHINE!
It’s also an opportunity for everyone in the community
to come and enjoy food, music, meet Chamber
members and learn about their products and
services.
Admission is FREE for all ages!
*******************************************
ALL Chamber Members
this event is for YOU
to showcase your business or organization.
For more information and
to register please call the Chamber
(423) 745-0334
or email [email protected]
ATHENS CHAMBER BUSINESS PARTNERS & INVESTORS
Because members renew memberships at different times throughout the year, listings are provided on a
monthly basis. These members renewed their memberships during March 2015.
Advanced Energy Services
ARCpoint Labs of Athens
Athens Mini Storage
Athens Parcel B
Bargain Barn, Inc.
Belk
Brookdale Athens
Camellia Home Health of East TN, LLC
Century 21 Robinson Realty, Inc.
Choate Printing
Classic Lanes, Inc.
Coleman Glass Company
Domino’s
Etowah Gentle Dental
Express Employment
Gondolier Pizza & Steak House
Hiwassee Builders Supply
Holston Gases
Keylon Eye Care
Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home
Life Care Center of Athens
Moore Discount, Inc.
NHC Healthcare, Athens
Pioneer Credit Company
Purkey’s Office Supply & Machines
River Counties Association of Realtors, Inc.
NEW CHAMBER
MEMBERS!
Mr. Gary L Render, Retired
270 County Road 135
Athens, TN 37303
Subway-Five Star
Super 8 Motel
Superior Sanitation, LLC
Tennessee Service Company
U.S. Lawns
WCLE Mix 104.1
Willow Acres Home for Seniors
Zaxby’s
Please remember to
Shop Local
and
shop Chamber members first!
Come and be part of the 2015 CASH MOB!
Come to these locations on these days from 12:00p.m. to
5:00p.m. and spend at least $20.
It’s fun and great for these businesses and our local
economy!
April 9th
Petsense
May 14th
Heavenly Creations by Jen
The Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of
citizens who invest their time and money in a community
development program working together to improve the
economic, civic and cultural well being of our community.
Why I Should Belong to The Chamber of Commerce?
Active Membership in the Chamber of Commerce carries with it a
sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from the knowledge
you are doing your share of an important job. Although
everyone in the community benefits from the work of the
Chamber of Commerce, you can accept those benefits with a
sense of pride only if you have had a part in bringing them about.
Build your business by building your community.
Benefits of membership in the Chamber include a wealth of advertising and exposure through participation in various events,
inclusion in the Chamber website, newsletter, and
networking opportunities.
For information about becoming a Chamber member,
please call (423) 745-0334.
June 11th
The Art Market @ The Arts Center
Origami Owl / Amanda Haun
Thirty-One / Michelle Wright
Scentsy / Deborah Cox
July 10th –NO CASH MOB
August 13th
United Wholesale Discount
September 10th
To Be Announced
October 8th
Blair’s Bo-Kay Florist
November 12th
To Be Announced
December 10th
Hair Therapy
Upcoming Chamber and Community Events
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
CASH MOB!
Petsense
Date: Thursday, April 9 Time: 12:00p.m. to 5:00p.m.
Location: 1511 Congress Parkway S Athens
For more info: Call 423.745.0334 or www.athenschamber.org
Starr Regional Medical Center, Etowah Campus
OPEN HOUSE
Advanced Wound Center & Hyperbarics
Renovated Rehabilitation Suite
Upgraded Imaging Equipment
Date: Thursday, April 9 Time: 11a.m. to 1:00p.m. & 4-6p.m.
Location: 886 Highway 411 N Etowah
Come and Enjoy: Refreshments, Tours, & Gifts!
For more info: www.StarrRegional.com
Athens Community Theater / Youth Theatre Workshop
presents
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN (revised)
Sponsored by: Citizens National Bank
Dates: April 9-11 & 16-18 at 7:30p.m. April 12 & 19 at 2:00p.m.
Location: The Arts Center 320 North White Street Athens
Tickets: $15 Adults $8 Students
For more info: Call 423.745.8781 or www.athensartscouncil.org
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS
Hosted by: ARCpoint Labs of Athens
Date: Thursday, April 16 Time: 8:00a.m. to 9:00a.m.
Location: 409 Congress Parkway S Athens
For more info: Call 423.745.0334 or www.athenschamber.org
E.G.Fisher Public Library & Friends of the Library
announce
SIDEWALK SALE!
Date: Saturday, April 18 Time: 10:00a.m.
Location: 1289 Ingleside Avenue Athens
For more info: Call 423.745.7782
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
presents
2015 PRIMETIME BUSINESS SHOWCASE
FREE booth space to ALL Chamber members
Date: Thursday, April 30 Time: 4:30p.m. to 7:30p.m.
Location: Downtown Athens in Market Park Pavilion
For more info: Call 423.745.0334 or www.athenschamber.org
To have an event included on this calendar,
please email event information details to [email protected]
It’s a
WIN / WIN
to
SHOP McMINN!
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
announces
9th Annual Benefit Dinner
with guest speaker
PEYTON
MANNING
Saturday
June 27, 2015
6:00PM
McMinn County
High School
Tickets Available: $50 program only
(concessions will be available)
To purchase tickets come to the
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce (13 N. Jackson
Street, Athens) or call 423.745.0334
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
Ranked #3*
in Knoxville-Area Chambers of Commerce!
The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce board of
directors and staff would like to take this
opportunity to thank, once again, all the volunteers
who made the 2014 Membership Event a HUGE
success. This #3 ranking is the result of YOUR
hard work and community spirit! Thank you for
donating your time and energy to help strengthen
your local Chamber so we can stay on mission…
Connecting the Community
and
Building Business
*Knoxville News Sentinel, Sunday, April 5, 2015
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
in cooperation with
ATHENS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
13 North Jackson Street, Athens, TN 37303
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.athenschamber.org
2015 OFFICERS
Chairman
Chairman Elect
Vice Chairman
Treasurer
Immediate Past Chairman
Shane Sewell
Jackie Newman
Moises Contreras
Brandy Cooper
Becky Wattenbarger
2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
409 Congress Parkway S
Athens, TN 37303
Invites all Chamber members to
BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS
Thursday, April 16 8:00a.m. to 9:00a.m.
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, network with Chamber
members, and enter a business card
in the door prize drawings!
Becky Wattenbarger
Moises Contreras
Randy Nelson
Rhonda Elkins
Patty Weaver
Shane Sewell
Brandy Cooper
Gus Jaibat
Scott Cass
Todd Harris
Jackie Newman
Will Estes
Pam Perdue
Skylar Dean
Shayne Whaley
EX-OFFICIO
Anthony Casteel, Community Development Director, City of Athens
John Gentry, Mayor, McMinn County
Kathy Knight, McMinn County Economic Development Authority
Dana Ferguson, Diplomat Corps Chairman
Rob Preston
Kay Simmons
Teressa Clark
STAFF
President/CEO
Program Director
Accounts Coordinator
ATHENS BUSINESS is a monthly publication for the members of the
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce.