June 2019 - August 2019
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in the Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center. Here are our main June-August accomplishments: Program Development
LCC Advisory Committee held it's first meeting in preparation for the LCC/YLCC Class of 2020. LCC Educators program was held June 24th-26th. Dr. Mark Petersen, Jacksonville City Schools Superintendent, and Rhonda Tinker, Kitty Stone Elementary School PreK-3rd Grade principal, were the first participants of the program. The first day explored small business, industry, economic development, and healthcare. The second day focused on federal installations in Calhoun County such as the Anniston Army Depot and the Center for Domestic Preparedness. The final day held tours of the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office and Jail, the new EMAC Center in Oxford, a presentation on community service by the United Way, and tourism/attractions in Calhoun County. Participated in two webinars as part of the US Chamber's Business Leads Fellowship Program. June 6th focused on Leveraging Per Pupil Spending Data to Drive Change Within Your School District. June 27th focused on Engaging Students with Disabilities in the Workforce. Partners in Education luncheon was held on Wednesday, July 17th to kick off the start of a new school year for area school administrators. There were around 30 in attendance. Mandy Pearson with Cheaha State Park was the guest presenter. Association of Leadership Professionals Webinar focusing on Alumni Engagement was attended on July 22nd. Commerce & Information Technology Advisory Committee Meeting for the County Schools' FBLA groups met on August 1, 2019 to look at plans for this year's programs. Met with new Anniston City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Ray Hill, to introduce him to Chamber Educational/ Workforce Development programs. Participated in JSU's New Faculty Orientation on August 16, sharing about the Chamber’s Educational/ Workforce Development programs. LCC Advisory Committee Fall Social was held on August 22, 2019 at Peerless. Met with Sacred Heart School's Marketing Director, Emily Harrell, on August 26, 2019 to discuss Chamber Educational/Workforce Development programs. Attended an Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) Leadership Connection Webinar on Leadership Style Indicators and Assessment Tools on August 26, 2019. Appeared on TV24's Crime Stoppers program to discuss 35th Anniversary of the Leadership Calhoun County program on August 27, 2019. LCC Class of 2020 kicked off on August 29th with Orientation & Team Building Day. All 26 class members were present to participate in a low ropes course at the YMCA Camp Hamilton.
Public Affairs
Developed Public Affairs and Military & Security Affairs logos. Hosted a quarterly Mayor’s Round Table Sent final Advocate Bulletin on 5/31 regarding the Legislative Session. July 10, Legislative Wrap-up with Senator Marsh with 20 in attendance July 18, Hosted State of the Cities with all 7 Mayors and 70 in attendance Reception for Anniston Army Depot outgoing Commander was held by the Military & Security Affairs Committee Calhoun County Complete Count Committee met and budgets were presented. Staff attended Anniston & Weaver City Council & Calhoun County Commission Meetings July 23, Mayors Roundtable on upcoming Gas Tax. Census Committee working on Budget for Census activity and applying for grants.
Business Development
Partnered with SCORE & JSU SBDC on Small Business Seminar on Generational Marketing. Hosted media breakfast with local media. In partnership with JSU Procurement Office and City of Anniston held a workshop for doing business with the Regional Federal Courthouse. Partnered with Anniston SCORE and the JSU SBDC to hold a series of seminars to benefit our members. The first August seminar was entitled Tiny Marketing Actions, and explained small actions that a business can make each day that will make a big impact. The second August seminar focused on Cybersecurity and Fraud Awareness.
Organizational Development
The Chamber held 2 Business & Biscuits (sponsored by Sunny King Honda in Anniston and M2 Connections) with a total attendance of 105. The Chamber held 3 Lunch & Leads (sponsored by Mosquito Joe of Northeast Alabama, Mizzell Marketing &
Designs, and SAMCO) with a total attendance of 197. The Chamber held 3 Business After Hours (sponsored by General Dynamics Land Systems and AFGE Local 1945, RMC Health Systems, and ERA King Real Estate) with a total attendance of 370. The Chamber held 3 Coffee with the Chamber Staff meetings with a total attendance of 26. The Chamber held and/or participated in 12 Ribbon Cuttings (featured on the ribbon cutting pages). On Friday, June 7, Chamber Ambassadors held a team building day at the Jacksonville Community Center. On Thursday, June 20 and Friday, June 21, Chamber Board Members made 110 phone calls to our membership to thank our members for continuing to be part of the Chamber. Chamber Ambassadors met on Wednesday, July 3 and Wednesday, August 7, to plan the Chamber’s upcoming 2019 Member Appreciation Day. The Chamber held a Chamber Partner Investors reception to review our accomplishments for 2019 and look ahead to 2020 on Thursday, August 29. The Chamber acquired 22 new members.
Tourism
147 Relocation/Visitors Packets were mailed out. Gave Tourism Presentation to Calhoun County Commissioners, local mayors, Anniston Civitan Club, and Anniston Morning Rotary Club Met with local mayors to discuss how we can best help their cities in terms of area Tourism marketing. Partnered with WBRC FOX 6 to produce 3 tourism commercials Ran a contest on WBRC’s website/”Magic City Weekend” Facebook page for a Calhoun County Getaway Weekend. Sent list of murals in Calhoun County to University of Alabama for publication for State Mural Trail Appeared on “Calhoun County’s Most Wanted” discussing Tourism. Began hosting Freedom Riders National Monument Interim Visitors Center at Chamber. Installed passport stamps in foyer and lobby. Recorded approximately 18 visitors to stamp their passport in August. Attended JSU new employee orientation and provided area tourism information packages. Held EAT. STAY. PLAY. Tourism lunch on Wednesday, August 28, with 26 in attendance.
Public Relations
The Chamber's Facebook page acquired 210 new likes, bringing our total likes to 5,388. The Chamber’s Instagram page surpassed 1,000 followers and is currently at 1,039. The Visit Calhoun County Facebook page acquired 104 new likes, bringing our total to 2,105. The Visit Calhoun County Instagram page acquired 197 new followers, allowing us to surpass 1,000 followers, and bringing our total to 1,021.
June Events
June 14, The Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center hosted June’s Coffee with the Chamber Staff.
June 6, Sunny King Honda hosted June’s Business & Biscuits. June 18, General Dynamics Land Systems and AFGE Local 1945 sponsored June’s Business After Hours, hosted at the Anniston Army Depot.
June 10, The Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center hosted June’s Mayors Roundtable.
June 12, Mosquito Joe of Northeast Alabama sponsored June’s Lunch & Leads, hosted at Mellow Mushroom in Oxford.
June 24-26, The Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center conducted our first annual LCC Educators Program.
June 28, The Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center hosted a Tourism Table at the Anniston Army Depot’s Employee Appreciation Day.
July Events
July 10, The Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center hosted Senator Del Marsh for a wrap-up of the Legislative Session. July 16, RMC Health System sponsored and hosted July’s Business After Hours.
July 10, Mizzell Marketing & Designs sponsored July’s Lunch & Leads, hosted at Los Mexicanos Restaurante. July 17, The Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center conducted a Partner’s in Education Luncheon at Red Lobster.
July 12, The Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center hosted June’s Coffee with the Chamber Staff. July 18, The Chamber hosted 2019’s State of the Cities.
July 16, The Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center partnered with Anniston SCORE and JSU’s SBDC to host a Lunch & Learn.
July 18, The Chamber hosted a reception for Colonel Joel Warhurst.
August Events
August 1, M2 Connections, A Unity Company hosted August’s Business & Biscuits.
August 16 and 20, The Chamber partnered with SCORE Anniston and JSU’s SBDC to host a Seminar Series.
August 9, The Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center hosted June’s Coffee with the Chamber Staff. August 20, ERA King Real Estate sponsored August’s Business After Hours, hosted at the Anniston Country Club.
August 14, SAMCO sponsored August’s Lunch & Leads, hosted at Yume Japanese & Asian Cuisine. August 28, The Chamber hosted a Tourism Stakeholders Lunch.
August 15, The Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center hosted the Federal Courthouse Vendor Seminar.
August 29, The Chamber conducted our LCC Team Building Day.
Ribbon Cuttings
June 27, Jacksonville Family Dentistry
June 14, Rainbow Omega’s Rainbow Garden Center
June 28, Dirty Dog’s Car Wash
June 19, Chicken Salad Chick-Oxford
July 9, Sand Mountain Pest Management
June 26, McClellan Bike Trails
The Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center offers free ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies for our members. For more information, contact Kim Boyd at (256) 237-3536.
Ribbon Cuttings
July 23, South Beach Volleyball at McClellan
July 9, Edward Jones Office-Jacksonville
August 8, Chick-fil-A-Jacksonville
July 10, Choccolocco Kayak
August 14, K.L. Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Center-Jacksonville
July 10, Combat Park & Veteran’s Trade Day
The Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center offers free ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies for our members. For more information, contact Kim Boyd at (256) 237-3536.
New Members: June-August Chassidy Casey WBRC Fox 6 1720 Valley View Drive Birmingham, AL 35209 (256) 327-5832 Television Station/Advertising
David Bell Action Response Training CPR & Safety LLC Alexandria, AL 36250 (256) 310-8961 Occupational Safety Services
Amy Hardy Abracadabra Ballroom Dance 1111 Noble Street Anniston, AL 36201 (256) 453-1055 Dance Studio
Ashley Pruitt & Patricia Towns Merle Norman Jacksonville 1505 Pelham Road S Suite 5 Jacksonville, AL 36265 (256) 435-7999 Skin Care
Dr. Matthew Nixon, D.C. Nixon Spine & Sport 226 South Quintard Ave. Anniston, AL 36201 (256) 405-4120 Chiropractors
Jessee Spinks Jimmy John’s 505 Pelham Rd N Jacksonville, AL 36265 (256) 365-2001 Restaurant
Dr. Morgan Gibson Gibson Family Dentistry 313 E. 10th Street Anniston, AL 36207 (256) 237-0603 Dentist
Sgt. First Class Rodricuz Aubrey U.S. Army Recruiting Station-Oxford 700 Quintard Dr. Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 835-7149 Army Recruiters
Terri Askew Anniston Lions Club P.O. Box 344 Anniston, AL 36203 Non-Profit Organization
Daniel Hardy Dan the Natural Man/Natural Health Consulting Weaver, AL 36277 (256) 343-1525 Wellness
Christina Yarnold Lutheranch Camp and Conference Center 2017 St. James Way Tallapoosa, GA 30176 (678) 857-8501 Conference Center/Camp Benjamin Greene FaciliCraft LLC 846 Haven Circle Riverside, AL 35135 (205) 999-8142 Commercial Cleaning Sarah Popham Checkmate Cash Advance 650 Quintard Dr. Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 835-3883 Check Cashing Maria Volk Helping Hands Estate Sales Piedmont, AL 36272 (256) 553-3601 Estate Sales
Monica Henderson Children and Teen Dental Group (Dr. Donald Norby and Dr. Mattie Bennett) 1713 Hamric Dr. E. Suite C Oxford, AL 36203 Dentists Jon Garlick, LPC 1300 Noble St. Anniston, AL 36201 (256) 365-3401 Counseling Ken Joiner Anniston, AL 36207 Friends of the Chamber Dr. Alan Medders Social Media 23 P.O. Box 2425 Anniston, AL 36202 (256) 473-7623 Doyle Jordan All Area Towing 182 Whiten Way Heflin, AL 36234 (256) 463-5477 Wrecker Service
Darren Genz Heart of Dixie Amusements Ohatchee, AL 36271 (256) 499-2025 Arcade-Pool-Billiards Rentals