INSIDE: Shrimp Boil Recap pg. 48 + Monthly Economic Indicators pg. 50
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS RIBBON CUTTING
TOP ACHIEVERS
Microsoft celebrated the grand opening of its new “pop-up” store in West Town Mall in May. Ryan Kline, Store Manager, is pictured center cutting the ribbon and is joined by Microsoft associates, Patricia Robledo with the city of Knoxville (far right), and Knoxville Chamber Ambassadors.
3RD PLACE
2ND PLACE TIE!
1ST PLACE
Top Achievers are recognized for their countless volunteer hours and dedication to the Ambassador Program’s mission of serving as an active volunteer extension of the Knoxville Chamber to cultivate, promote, and maintain positive relationships between the Knoxville Chamber, its members, and the community.
MARC ARCHER ARCHER DESIGN & MARKETING
JUSTIN BAXTER
BRENT CHRISTIAN
SHAFER INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
CAPITAL FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC
DANIEL MONDAY SLAMDOT, INC.
NEW MEMBERS / NEW PREMIER PARTNERS SILVER PREMIER PARTNERS GCA Education Services, Inc. (888) 588-8063 www.gcaservices.com Building & Grounds Maintenance
BRONZE PREMIER PARTNERS Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. (865) 977-9997, (865) 774-7771 www.cecinc.com Environmental Services & Equipment: Consultants Architectural & Engineering Services: Engineers FSG Bank (865) 251-1276 www.fsgbank.com Financial Services: Banks Allevia Technology (865) 686-6677 www.alleviatechnology.com Computer & IT Services: Consultants Ally Flood Cleanup (865) 603-1324 Residential Services
THE KNOXVILLE CHAMBER’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
EDITOR | WRITER JENNY WOODBERY DESIGN LADDY FIELDS
Beaver Brook Golf & Country Club (865) 689-5178 www.bbgcc.com Sports & Recreation: Golf Billy Houston Group (865) 694-5904 www.billyhoustongroup.com Real Estate BRAND Mortgage (865) 329-6200 www.brandmortgage.com Real Estate: Mortgage Banking Central Flats & Taps (865) 247-0392 www.flatsandtaps.com Restaurants: Bars Clint Suggs Golf School at Avalon (865) 802-2803 Sports & Recreation: Golf Development and Design Concepts, LLC (865) 806-2284 Construction & Contractors Diana Warner (865) 454-8978 www.dianawarnerstudio.com Shopping: Specialty
Done Right Services - Heating and Cooling (865) 246-8127 Building & Grounds Maintenance: HVAC and Climate Control Elite Skin & Laser Center (865) 306-5757 www.eliteskincenter.com Personal Services
Knoxville Academy of Music (865) 690-1655 www.knoxvilleacademyofmusic.com Education & Training Low T Center (865) 392-1388 www.LowTCenter.com Healthcare Providers & Services
Fulton Bellows, LLC (865) 546-0550 www.fultonbellows.com Manufacturing
Madison Insurance Group and Payroll Service (865) 425-7400 www.miginsgroup.com Insurance
Grace Baptist Church (865) 691-8886 www.gracebc.org Church & Church Supplies
Microsoft (480) 234-5173 www.microsoftstore.com Computer & IT Services
Hancock Tree Service (865) 924-8733 Building & Grounds Maintenance
Planet Beach - Bearden (865) 312-5532 www.planetbeach.com/knoxville Personal Services: Salons & Spas
Hops and Hollers (865) 312-5733 www.hopsandhollers.com Restaurants
Pups & Pals (865) 673-5847 pupsnpals.net Pet Care & Supplies Quality Inn Alcoa (865) 984-6800 Hotels & Lodging
CONTACT THE KNOXVILLE CHAMBER (865) 637-4550 www.knoxvillechamber.com
FINANCE & OPERATIONS ljohnson@knoxvillechamber.com
THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (865) 546-5887
MEMBERSHIP mfield@knoxvillechamber.com
PRESIDENT & CEO MICHAEL EDWARDS
CENTRAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (865) 246-2654 mhummel@downtownknoxville.org
TENNESSEE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (865) 246-2663
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RHONDA RICE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT dlawyer@knoxvillechamber.com
LEADERSHIP KNOXVILLE (865) 523-9137 U.S. DEPT. OF COMMERCE EXPORT ASSISTANCE CENTER (865) 545-4637
K N O KNOXVILLE X V I L LCHAMBER E CHA M B E R | 44 44
Robert Threlkeld Re/Max Preferred Properties (865) 235-8992 www.knoxvillehomevalue.com Real Estate: Residential Select Staffing (865) 622-5765 www.select.com Employment, Career, & Staffing Services SMART WAY (865) 377-9470 www.gosmartway.net Shopping: Furniture Smarter Searches (865) 278-6339 www.smartersearches.com Business & Professional Services: Marketing tnAchieves (865) 621-9223 www.tnachieves.org Education & Training TOMCAT USA, INC. (865) 219-3700 www.tomcatglobal.com Manufacturing
Mentors Propel Small Business Success,Growth
Propel mentors weigh in on the importance of mentoring small business owners. (Left to right): Anita Lane, general manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown; Matt Chambers, vice president of Johnson & Galyon Construction; Cavanaugh Mims, president of Visionary Solutions LLC; Kirste Webb, Visionary Solutions’ chief of staff; Doug Minter, business development manager for the Knoxville Chamber.
F
or more than 150 years, the Knoxville Chamber has been helping area small businesses grow and thrive through creating programs that give small business owners cutting-edge tools to problem solve and succeed. However, one of the programs created for driving small business success is based off an age old practice – mentoring. In 2010, the Chamber and Innovation Valley launched the Propel mentor/protégé program, which pairs small business owners with successful, established business advisers. Over the course of three years, the protégés learn from the experience and success of their mentors. Doug Minter, the Chamber’s business development manager, leads the Propel program. “Any successful business owner will tell you that much of their success is attributed to having good mentors,” Minter said. “Through membership, cham-
bers of commerce have an embedded pool of top business leaders who can become mentors to others. That’s how the idea for Propel came about. Chambers are constantly evolving and changing to remain relevant to their membership and we feel mentoring is one of those fundamental elements.” Since it was created, Propel has graduated 14 protégés and currently has a class of 20 mentor/protégé pairs. “Our future goal is to grow the program regionally in partnership with other chambers, economic development agencies, and business support groups,” Minter said “We also continue to work with the protégés after graduation and three of our graduates are Premier Partners now and one is a current mentor.” Commerce invited four of the Propel mentors to the Chamber for a Q&A on
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 45
See “Propel” on pg. 46
“Propel” continued from pg. 45
the significance of mentoring. Weighing in on the subject were Anita Lane, general manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown; Matt Chambers, vice president of Johnson & Galyon Construction; Cavanaugh Mims, president of Visionary Solutions LLC; and Kirste Webb, Visionary Solutions’ chief of staff.
COMMERCE: How is Propel unique from other small business assistance programs?
Mentors/Protégés
WEBB: A lot of (small business assistance centers have the resources, but)
PROTÉGÉS MENTOR COMPANY
wait for people to come in their doors. This is where Propel is different. Propel is all about going out and drawing people in. It literally forces people to the table and makes them learn and grow and understand what it means to run a business. Propel aligns you with someone who can navigate you through the right channels.
YEAR 3
COMMERCE: What are the benefits of established companies mentoring small businesses? MIMS: One of the great things about this program is the networking that
Elder Associates
Hodges Doughty & Carson
CG Services
Visionary Solutions
YEAR 2
goes on. The mentors can connect the protégés to opportunities and people they might not have otherwise known about. (For a mentor) to be able to say “I know someone who does this and you need to talk to them,” is incredibly valuable. People have a natural fear of cold-calling when someone doesn’t know who you are. Propel helps solve that problem by having someone who can break the ice for you.
Ally Insurance
Knoxville Chamber
Aaron’s Design Install
Johnson & Gaylon
Mesa Technologies
Green Mountain Coffee
Two Roads
Hodges Doughty & Carson
CHAMBERS: The benefit would be the ability for small businesses to
bounce ideas, business plans, strategies, etc., off of the mentors without reinventing the wheel each time. If the mentor has an established, successful process that is working for their business, the protégé can use and or improve on that process for their own business.
YEAR 1
COMMERCE: Do you think business-to-business mentoring could be the next big thing relative to growing small businesses over the next 10 years? LANE: This is exactly what we need to do to grow folks in business. I truly believe in an “Each One Reach One” connection, and think that if more folks had mentors they would either figure out a way to be successful, or figure out that its not their passion and find something that they love. To learn more about the Propel mentor/protégé program, visit www.knoxvillechamber.com or contact Doug Minter at dminter@knoxvillechamber.com.
Above The Rest Balloon & Event Designs
SunTrust
Accurate C&S Services Inc
Visionary Solutions
AD Graphic Art LLC
Graphic Creations
BGT Recruiting & Consulting LLC
Aqua-Chem
Diligence Security & Training LLC
Hampton Inn Downtown
EXPOQUIP Inc
Stowers Machinery
First Place Finish Inc
Management Solutions
Fletcher PR, LLC
Scripps Networks Interactive
Mahogany Development
Shaad Companies
God’s Creative Enrichment Center
Accord Federal Services
INNOVATIVE Design & Marketing
GigMark
K.S. Social & Event Planning
Visit Knoxville
Lynn Sanford Construction
Messer Construction
Spanish Language Solutions
Direc Consulting
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 46
Mentor/Protégé Profile MENTOR
PROTÉGÉ Business: Accurate C&S Services, Inc. Owner: Regina Jones Industry: Service (Drug, alcohol and background screening) Website: www.accuratemgmt.com What do you think the importance of having a mentor is? As a small growing company, our mentor, Visionary Solutions, is extremely important. A mentor provides experience and “know how” to allow us to make decisions based on proven strategies from a successful mentor. The information and strategies obtained from our mentor, based on the company’s years of experience and strong management, allows us to potentially grow in a similar fashion utilizing these. Further, it is important to Accurate to have a source to call and ask questions and have a “second” ear to provide valuable feedback which will allow us to move in a direction that will allow for continued growth and organizational development. Because we are extremely new to the world of government contracting, having such an experienced mentor with such a successful track record in both the government and non-government sectors, provides Accurate the best chance of being successful particularly if we ensure we utilize the tools and resources we obtain from their proven strategies for success. What do you want to learn from your mentor? I want to learn lessons learned from mistakes (to assist me with not making the same mistakes), infrastructure and human resources requirements needed for success such as company procedures, hiring the right people, etc. In what other ways has being part of the Propel program helped your business? I believe the sessions with other protégés also provide us the ability to learn from one another. Oftentimes, great information and ideas are discussed with extremely good feedback and suggestions from other protégés. The entire program allows all participants to grow from experience of others and information from highly experienced instructors. I highly recommend this program to any company looking for tools for success!
Business: Visionary Solutions, LLC Owner: Cavanaugh Mims Industry: Program management, transportation and logistics, alternative fuels, additive manufacturing Website: www.vs-llc.com Who has been one of your important Mentors and why? What were the key lessons you learned? One of my memorable mentors was Joe LaGrone (a former DOE Oak Ridge field office manager). Early in my Department of Energy career, I had the privilege to spend a year as his special assistant. Working in the manager’s office provided me the opportunity to see the federal and contractor systems operate at every level. The most important lesson learned was to value my on opinions and decision making process. How has being a mentor helped you or your firm? Being a mentor has allowed Visionary Solutions to share our lessons learned with others to help them grow and sustain. In addition, if has been mutually beneficial because our protégés have provided us access to new markets and customers. We also benefit from learning from our protégés and sharing these lessons with our mentors. We have had the pleasure of working with some very diverse companies exposing us to industries and markets that you had not considered. What do you want your protégé to learn from you? Running a business is hard work and requires commitment and dedication in order to be successful. Only you can define what that success looks like. Others can help you on your journey, but it is up to you to request that help. Mentors are not there to hand you work, but rather provide you with coaching, counseling, teaching, and leading to help you build a sustainable business model so that you have the opportunity to mentor these who come after you. Additional comments: I believe that mentoring is not only a worthwhile endeavor, but will be one of the most practical and stimulating ways to learn how to run a business. Since the beginning of human civilization, all critical skills and knowledge have been passed down from master to apprentice. Even with all of our modern advances, there is not a replacement for human interaction and one-on-one communication.
Chamber Ambassadors Recognized at Annual Luncheon The Knoxville Chamber celebrated its Ambassadors at the annual appreciation luncheon at the Square Room on June 10. The Chamber’s Ambassador program has 47 members who have cumulatively volunteered countless hours to helping the organization staff special events and mentor new members. “Our Ambassadors are invaluable to the Chamber,” said member services manager for the Chamber Lauren Longmire. “ Without their help, we wouldn’t be able to produce more than 80 events per year. We are incredibly grateful for their willingness to dedicate so much time and energy to our organization.” During the luncheon, each Ambassador was recognized with a certificate for his or her service. Second year Ambassador Brent Christian was named Ambassador of the Year for his dedicated service in the program. Christian, who is a financial planner at Capital Financial Group, LLC, also serves as the Ambassador’s co-chair along with
Lindsay Serfass of PMG Benefits Consulting. “We have an incredibly special group of Ambassadors at the Chamber,” said Mark Field, senior vice president of membership. “The hard work and dedication they put forth is why our Ambassador program is seen as one of the most outstanding in the nation.”
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 47
Ambassador of the Year Brent Christian poses with Ambassador Cameron Puckett and Mark Field, senior vice president of membership for the Knoxville Chamber, and the Chamber’s annual appreciation luncheon.
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 48
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 49
MONTHLY ECONOMIC INDICATORS
(May 2014)
NOTES - Knoxville MSA includes: Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon & Union Counties.
WORKFORCE Resident Labor Force Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee U.S.
HOUSING MARKET % Change Apr. ’13Apr. ‘14
Apr. 2014
Mar. 2014
Apr. 2013
% Change Mar. ’14Apr. ‘14
225,390 353,780 3,004,000 154,845,000
226,430 355,730 3,031,200 155,627,000
233,890 368,350 3,110,700 154,739,000
-0.5 -0.5 -0.9 -0.5
-3.6 -4.0 -3.4 0.1
338,100 2,799,400
336,400 2,776,400
331,600 2,747,700
0.5 0.8
2.0 1.9
12,040 19,570 199,520
13,910 22,840 236,650
16,590 27,200 274,820
-13.4 -14.3 -15.7
-27.4 -28.1 -27.4
4.7 4.9 5.9 5.9
5.6 5.8 7.0 6.8
6.4 6.7 8.0 7.1
-0.9 -0.9 -1.1 -0.9
-1.7 -1.8 -2.1 -1.2
Non-Ag Employment Knoxville MSA Tennessee
Residential Closings Residential Inventory Median Residential Price
May 2014 1,284 11,295 $144,750
Unemployment Rates Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee U.S.
Sources: Tennessee Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
INFLATION RATES -
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
Knoxville (City)
Total Single-Family Multi-Family
Apr. 2014* 9 9 0
Apr. 2013 13 13 0
% Change Apr. ’13Apr. ‘14 -30.8 -30.8 0.0
Knox Co.
Total Single-Family Multi-Family
86 80 6
93 93 0
-7.5 -14.0 100.0
Knoxville MSA
Total Single-Family Multi-Family
116 110 6
126 126 0
-7.9 -12.7 100.0
Tennessee
Total Single-Family Multi-Family
2,391 1,625 766
2,031 1,456 575
17.7 11.6 33.2
*Southeast Region Avg. U.S. Avg. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) - ALL ITEMS % Change Mar. ’13Apr. ‘14
% Change Apr. ’12Apr. ‘14 1.4 0.9
Apr. ’13-‘14
Mar. ’13-‘14
Apr. ’12-‘13
2.3 2.0
1.4 1.5
0.9 1.1
0.9 0.5
% Change May ’13May ‘14
Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee
May 2014
Apr. 2014
May 2013
% Change Apr. ’14May ‘14
47,658,379 66,878,292 590,248,417
48,322,132 68,381,521 638,403,300
46,670,830 65,687,018 584,794,951
-1.4 -2.2 -7.5
2.1 1.8 0.9
13,411,738 19,271,354
12,996,264 18,356,920
-0.9 -1.5
2.3 3.4
AIR SERVICE (MCGHEE-TYSON AIRPORT)
Passengers Cargo
Mar. 2014 141,497 6,543,144
Feb. 2014 109,718 5,995,517
Mar. 2013 136,226 7,344,666
% Change Feb. ’14Mar. ‘14 29.0 9.1
% Change Mar. ’13Mar. ‘14 3.9 -10.9
Source: Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority
Local Sales Tax Knox Co. Knoxville MSA
*All 2014 building permit data is preliminary and therefore subject to revision throughout the year. Sources: U.S. Housing & Urban Development – SOCDS – State of the Cities Data Systems; U.S. Census Bureau – Building Permits Survey
*South – City Size Class B/C
SALES TAX REVENUE - STATE & LOCAL ($) State Sales Tax
1,323 15,090 $146,725
% Change May ’13May ‘14 -2.9 -25.1 -1.3
Source: Knoxville Area Association of Realtors
Available Labor Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee
May 2013
Apr. 2014 1,137 10,933 $143,200
% Change Apr. ’14May ‘14 12.9 3.3 1.1
13,295,337 18,989,494
Source: Tennessee Dept. of Revenue
RETAIL SALES - NATIONAL (IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS) Category Total Retail Sales Building Materials Clothing Stores Electronics & Appliances Food & Beverage Stores Food Svcs & Drinking Places Furniture & Home Furnishings Gasoline Stations General Merchandise Stores Health & Personal Care Stores Miscellaneous Stores Motor Vehicle & Parts Sales Non-store Retailers Sporting Goods/Books/ Hobby/Music
May 2014
Apr. 2014
463,085 35,481 21,751 8,122 57,404 49,742 8,685 49,036 55,799 24,678 10,935 97,500 37,268 6,684
437,114 31,871 20,481 7,647 54,108 47,328 7,961 46,173 52,597 24,506 9,442 91,160 37,430 6,410
May 2013 443,010 34,274 21,085 8,017 56,017 47,113 8,140 48,773 54,841 23,677 10,734 88,133 35,454 6,752
% Change Apr. ’14May ‘14 5.9 11.3 6.2 6.2 6.1 5.1 9.1 6.2 6.1 0.7 15.8 7.0 -0.4 4.3
% Change May ’13May ‘14 4.5 3.5 3.2 1.3 2.5 5.6 6.7 0.5 1.7 4.2 1.9 10.6 5.1 -1.0
EST. 1869 For more information on research, contact Joe Riley @ jriley@knoxvillechamber.com
Source: U.S. Census Bureau – Advance Monthly Retail Trade Report
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 50
Regional Young Professionals Come Together for BBQ, Networking Innovation Valley recently hosted more than 140 young professionals from across the region for the Innovation Valley Young Professional BBQ. Held at Outdoor Knoxville, local young professionals enjoyed a casual evening filled with live music, mouthwatering barbecue, and networking with fellow YP groups from the region. “Aside from the great venue, food, music, drinks, and activities, Innovation Valley is bringing the next generation of East Tennessee leaders together to build real, face-to-face friendships that will benefit local business and the community for decades to come, all while educating young professionals, like me, on the great career opportunities in our region,” said Ben Moser, creative storyteller and visual strategist at Moser Visual. “During an age where it feels like I make new connections with young professionals almost exclusively on Facebook and LinkedIn, the recent IVYP events are a breath of fresh air.” This was Innovation Valley’s third time hosting an event targeting young professionals. In July of 2013, Innovation Valley launched its second five-year strategic plan, Blueprint 2.0. As part of Blueprint 2.0, Innovation Valley has placed a tactical initiative on engaging local YP’s in an effort of retaining this young, skilled, and ambitious workforce in the region. According to statistics from the Pew Research Center, young professionals are more educated when compared to older generations at similar ages. Rising and current young professionals are also on track to become the most educated generation is U.S. history so far. Innovation Valley is home to 24 higher education institutes and colleges, and more than 20,000 young professionals graduate with a higher education degree each year. For more information or to become involved in Innovation Valley Young Professionals contact Kayla Witt at kwitt@knoxvillechamber.com
Local young professionals joined Innovation Valley for a BBQ at Outdoor Knoxville on June 3. Local artist Brad Blackwell entertains the guests of the Innovation Valley Young Professional’s BBQ.
PA R T N E R P R O F I L E
Loudon CountyEconomic Development Agency Located just southwest of Knox County, the Loudon County Economic Development Agency is one of eight partner agencies in Innovation Valley, the regional economic development initiative managed by the Knoxville Chamber. “The Loudon County partnership with Innovation Valley is an invaluable one to our economic development agency and the county’s overall growth and wellbeing,” said Pat Phillips, executive director of the Loudon County Economic Development Agency. “As much as we are focusing on recruiting new companies to locate in Loudon County, we are always focusing on selling the assets of the entire Innovation Valley region, such as downtown Knoxville and the University of Tennessee.” The county’s master planned golf waterfront communities and decades of successful economic development have contributed to Loudon County being the fastest growing county in Innovation Valley. Loudon County encompasses Lenoir City, city of Loudon, Greenback, and Philadelphia. The county boasts a high quality of life, and offers residents a plethora of natural resources, scenic beauty, and a low cost of living. Loudon County is home to several key industrial assets in the Innovation Valley region. Italian tile manufacturer Del Conca recently opened its new 320,000 square-foot facility there, creating 178 new jobs. American Honda, Monterey Mushrooms, DuPont, Tate and Lyle, and Kimberly Clark also host manufacturing operations in Loudon County. Additionally, the Tellico Corporate Peninsula, located in Loudon County, is a 1,200-acre site in Innovation Valley that lies adjacent to the Tellico Reservoir, an ideal location for a low-impact corporate mega-site. Developing the Tellico Corporate Peninsula into a world-class corporate campus is only limited by the imagination. “The site is intended and will appeal to businesses that place a high priority on developing a first class campus style setting with water as an amenity,” Phillips said. Access to the region’s high-tech business resources, on-site amenities and unparalleled inherent beauty make the Tellico Corporate Peninsula a natural choice for future recruits. Phillips said Loudon County is an obvious choice for businesses to locate to and expand current operations because of its great quality of life. “We understand that you need a location that doesn’t sacrifice on the lifestyle you and your company want in order to attract and retain quality employees,” he said. To learn more about Innovation Valley and its regional partners visit its website at www.knoxvilleoakridge.com.
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What’s the Big Idea?! Competition Crowns Winner at Finale After two months of intense competition, a winner was named at the finale of the What’s the Big Idea?! business plan competition at Relix Variety Theatre on June 24. This year’s “big ideas” included Michael Crain’s Vuture, an iOS application that schedules video messages; Brack Owens’ AmpTrader.com, a website for trading guitar-related equipment; and Martin Wade’s FlowSink, a portable, self-cleaning sink ideal for tile and painting jobs. As a new element to this year’s competition, four contestants that were eliminated during the Knock Out Competitions got a second chance to compete in the finale through the People’s Choice Pitch – which gave each contestant three minutes to pitch their idea one last time. Christopher Saah’s MyPTshop.com, a one-stop-shop for personal trainers to recommend products to clients, won the People’s Choice Pitch and earned him a spot in the final pitch round. The four contestants had eight minutes to give their final pitch of their “big ideas” to a panel of five judges. After each pitch, the judges had a chance to question each contestant about their product before their final deliberation. Ultimately, it was Owens’ pitch Shawn Carson, John Sharpe, Brack Owens, and for AmpTrader.com that struck a Todd Napier pose for a photo after Owens won chord with the judges and earned the What’s the Big Idea?! competition. him the Big Idea Launch Package – $10,000 in startup reimbursement costs, one year of free rent at the Fairview Technology Center, and complimentary business services. “It felt amazing to win tonight,” Owens said. “I’m still shocked but very excited. I put a lot of effort into this, so winning was just icing on the cake.” An avid guitarist, Owens said he came up with the idea for AmpTrader through his personal experience with trading guitar-related gear. “I was amazed by all the people trading,” he said. “All of us guitarists are looking for the perfect guitar tone, so what a lot of us do is trade equipment with each other. So this website is for those traders.” Owens said he looks forward to further developing AmpTrader’s website and making it a destination for guitar enthusiasts. Owens was coached through the competition by John Sharpe, president of ARG Financial Staffing. “He brought a unique idea to the table that offered value to the market sector he’s going after,” Sharpe said. “I hope to see him continue investing and innovating around his concept. He’s got a great start and he can start building his site out and start attracting those initial customers so they can start trading.” This is the third year the Knoxville Chamber, along with The Development Corporation of Knox County and Tech20/20, has presented the What’s the Big Idea?! business plan competition. “We’re really proud to be part of this and help these young companies launch,” Todd Napier, president of the Development Corporation. “That’s really what it’s all about is promoting the entrepreneurial community in Knoxville.“
Chamber Welcomes Three New Staff Members The Knoxville Chamber recently hired three new employees, each of whom is making her mark on the Chamber in a unique way.
Holly Helton, Events Manager A Nashville native, Holly Helton joined the Chamber family this spring, first as a temporary hire and now as the full-time events manager. Helton is responsible for planning and facilitating the Chamber’s events, communicating with guests, handling registrations, and managing both the creative and logistical aspects of event set up. Helton spent six months in Haiti after her graduation from Lee University in 2012. After she returned, she joined Above the Rest Balloon and Event Designs in Knoxville and worked there until transitioning to the Chamber in February. Helton’s passion is “creating celebration,” and giving people a place to come together. At the Chamber, her goal is to offer professional and beautiful events in which members feel valued and can appreciate all that the organization has to offer.
Katie Wells, Member Services Coordinator Born and raised in Knoxville, Katie Wells, the Chamber’s new member services coordinator, joined the organization in February. Wells graduated from Lipscomb University in 2011 and joined the Knoxville Fellows Program that fall. After completing the program, Wells stayed in town and worked at the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center until joining the Chamber. Katie manages the Chamber’s digital membership directory, iKnowKnoxville.com, and communicates heavily with members to fulfill benefits, while also serving as assistant to Mark Field, senior vice president of membership. Her desire is to achieve excellence in her work and to creatively serve members and to learn. “The chamber is very intentional about investing in the growth of their employees and seeing them prosper here,” she says with a smile.
Katie Steenrod, Membership Development Coordinator Katie Steenrod started at the Chamber at the beginning of June as the membership development coordinator. A Knoxville native, she is finally returning home after graduating in May from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Day-today, Steenrod sets up appointments for the Chamber’s account executives, creates iKnowKnoxville.com webinars, and works with the Chamber’s Premier Partners. She is excited about helping Knoxville businesses make the most of their Chamber memberships and understand how to best utilize iKnowKnoxville for their company. Chamber intern Abby Ferguson contributed to this article.
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Unique Vehicle Innovator Opens Doors on Market Square A new business on Market Square is rolling out a line of innovative vehicles for the 21st century. Phoenix-based company Local Motors opened the doors of its new showroom on May 28. Founded in 2007 by CEO Jay Rogers, Local Motors produces a wide variety of vehicles ranging from electric drift trikes to a high-speed, off-road car. All of the vehicles are assembled using local manufacturing partners. “Local Motors is about local vehicle innovation,” said Rogers. “For us that means micro-manufacturing of vehicles that are relevant to a location. It comes with education, jobs, sustainable vehicle production, and service. It’s really a new way of making vehicles for the 21st century.” Local Motors operates micro-factories in Phoenix and Las Vegas. The Market Square location is the company’s first retail location. Rogers said the opening of the Knoxville location is only the beginning – the company aims to open 50 facilities around the world in five years. Rogers said he was drawn to Innovation Valley’s proximity to world-class educational institutions and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. “There are people here who want to contribute to the science and technology that underpins the vehicle innovations that we’re making,” he said. “There are a lot of places in the United States where we might be able to find that combination, but we looked long and hard for the next place to start and there was no question that Innovation Valley was the right mix of those things.” “Local Motors is exactly the type of company we’re excited to announce in the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley today,” said Rhonda Rice, executive vice president of the Knoxville Chamber. “It’s a niché manufacturing process. It combines the attributes of this region and the technological advances of the manufacturing demonstration facilities.” One of the big projects Local Motors is working on is printing the world’s first 3-D vehicle. With the help of ORNL’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, Rogers said the company plans to debut the car in September. Local Motors plans to sell the 3-D printed car in the Knoxville showroom. “This is the birthplace of the third Industrial Revolution with the new focus on manufacturing out of the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility,” Rogers said. “This (showroom) on Market Square is meant to be a link between MDF and the public. We want to sell the things that are powering manufacturing in the next century.” To learn more about Local Motors and track the progress of its 3-D car project, visit www.localmotors.com. Rogers said the company was drawn to Innovation Valley’s proximity to world-class educational institutions and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Local Motors cut the ribbon on its new retail location in Market Square on May 28. Chamber ambassadors and the Local Motors team joined Thom Mason, director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Rhonda Rice, executive vice president of the Knoxville Chamber; Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero; Local Motors CEO Jay Rogers; and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett for the grand opening.
Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett takes a seat on the Local Motors Racer at the grand opening of the company’s showroom on Market Square.
Chamber Recognizes Outstanding Volunteer The Knoxville Chamber recently recognized one of its outstanding volunteers, Christie Knapper at its board of directors meeting. As chairwoman of the Pinnacle Silent Auction Committee, Knapper has helped the organization raise more than $130,000 over the past 10 years. Left to right: Michelle Kiely, the Chamber’s vice president of development; Christie Knapper; Mark Field, the Chamber’s senior vice president of membership; and Chamber Chairman Patrick Birmingham.
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Caris Business After Hours Draws Crowd to New Headquarters Chamber members enjoyed a Business After Hours event at Caris Healthcare last month. The event showcased the hospice care provider’s new corporate headquarters located at 10651 Coward Mill Road. Guests were treated to a delicious spread catered by Copper Cellar Catering. Caris Healthcare is one of the nation’s leading hospice care providers. Since the company was founded in 2003, it has assisted more than 20,500 patients. The company was recipient of the mid-size Business Excellence Award at the 2013 Pinnacle Business Awards. Six door prizes were drawn at the event. Bradley James of SERVPRO North Knoxville and Eric Robertson of Tekoil Distribution both took home $100 Visa gift cards, courtesy of Caris Healthcare. Kristina Killebrew of Star 102.1 and Teresa Lucke of IABC won passes to CLIMB Works. Elizabeth Sauls of the Knoxville Marriott and James Secor of the Episcopal School of Knoxville won the drawing for two What’s the Big Idea?! business plan competition hats.
UPCOMING EVENTS
JULY 15
Bright Ideas Seminar “What’s Your Mobile APPetite?” Presented by Mary Beth West Communications, LLC
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square $25 members/$35 for non-members (boxed lunch included) Sponsored by:
JULY 17 a.m. Exchange hosted by All Occasion Catering 8 – 9 a.m. 922 North Central, Knoxville, 37917 Sponsored by:
JULY 31 Premier Partner Event featuring Dr. Thom Mason, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Location TBD Exclusive to Premier Partners
SAVE THE DATE! Schmoozapalooza XI Guests enjoyed a tasty spread from Copper Cellar Catering at the June 5 Business After Hours at Caris Healthcare.
September 18, 2014 4 – 7 p.m. Knoxville Civic Coliseum
Go to “Chamber Events” on www.knoxvillechamber.com to learn more or register for any of these events. You may also call the events line, (865) 246-2622
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