INSIDE: Schmoozapalooza Recap pg. 56 + Monthly Economic Indicators pg. 54
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS NEW MEMBERS & NEW PREMIER PARTNERS THE KNOXVILLE CHAMBER’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Smith & Hammaker (865) 637-7881 www.smithandhammaker.com Computer & IT Services
101 Mobility - Access & Mobility Equipment (865) 896-9425 www.101mobility.com/knoxville Medical Supplies, Sales & Services Andrews Electric Services, LLC (865) 673-5086 www.andrewselectricservices.com Electrical Supplies & Services Construction & Contractors: Electrical Contractors Backroads Market & Designs (865) 525-9412 Shopping: Furniture Cocoa Moon Fusion Grill (865) 521-3888 Restaurants Comfort Keepers (865) 670-9339 www.knoxville-202.comfortkeepers.com Social Services: Senior Services Compassionate Care Home Health (865) 394-9960 www.compassionatehomehealth.net Healthcare Providers & Services: Home Health Services Compassionate Care Technical Center, Inc (865) 394-9960 www.cnatrainingknox.com Education & Training Devonshire Designs (865) 776-7693 www.devonshiredesigns.com Shopping: Furniture EcoGreen Energy Solutions (865) 228-4821 www.eg-es.com Building Materials: Lighting Envizion Fitness (865) 985-0173 www.envizion247fitness.com Personal Services: Fitness & Well-being General Knox Law (865) 686-7789 www.generalknoxlaw.com Legal Services Handling Systems, Incorporated (865) 233-0370 www.handlingsystemsinc.com Industrial Supplies & Services
Holiday Inn Club Vacation (423) 534-1607 www.jobs.holidayinnclub.com/tennessee-jobs Business & Professional Services Institute for Female Pelvic Medicine (865) 299-5920 www.mypelvicmedicine.com Healthcare Providers & Services IT Advizr, LLC (865) 235-0576 www.itadvizr.com Business & Professional Services: Technical Services Computer & IT Services: Consultants Knoxville Mercury (865) 313-2059 www.knoxmercury.com Publishing/Publications
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.
1ST PLACE
Highlands Union Bank (865) 573-4471 www.hubank.com Financial Services: Banks
Highlands Union Bank - Veteran’s Blvd (865) 774-5168 www.hubank.com Financial Services: Banks
TOP ACHIEVERS
DANIEL MONDAY SLAMDOT, INC.
The Pointe at Lifespring Senior Living (865) 687-5353 www.ThePointeSeniorLiving.com Social Services: Senior Services
ASSISTANT EDITOR JESSICA KARSTEN DESIGN LADDY FIELDS CONTACT THE KNOXVILLE CHAMBER (865) 637-4550 www.knoxvillechamber.com PRESIDENT & CEO MICHAEL EDWARDS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RHONDA RICE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOUG LAWYER
LEA BRADLEY
MEMBERSHIP MARK FIELD
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
PUBLIC POLICY AMY NOLAN CENTRAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (865) 246-2654 mhummel@downtownknoxville.org
Libera Inc. (716) 665-2800 www.libera.com Computer & IT Services: Hardware/Software Developers Patriot Threads, LLC (865) 805-3238 www.patriotthreads.org Shopping: Specialty
EDITOR LORI FULLER
FINANCE & OPERATIONS LARRY JOHNSON
2ND PLACE
Destination Designs, LLC (865) 566-0263 www.destinationdesignsllc.com Office Equipment, Supplies, & Services: Commercial Interior Design
THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (865) 546-5887
3RD PLACE
BRONZE PREMIER PARTNERS
Highlands Union Bank - Hardin Lane (865) 908-0455 www.hubank.com Financial Services: Banks
RENA AMERSON AMERSON GROUP
Prosperity Pointe Assisted Living (865) 240-0000 Social Services: Senior Services PT Devonshire (865) 776-9693 www.ptdevonshire.com Shopping: Furniture Quadriciser Therapy System (865) 689-5003 www.quadriciser.com Medical Supplies, Sales & Services Rev It Up, LLC (865) 386-1871 www.sterlthepearl.com Entertainment R&M Climate Control (865) 938-9474 www.rmclimatecontrol.com Building & Grounds Maintenance: HVAC and Climate Control Road Runner Highway Signs - LLC (865) 329-1059 Business & Professional Services: Signs Sitel Corp. - Knoxville (865) 347-6116 Business & Professional Services
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 48
TENNESSEE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (865) 246-2663 LEADERSHIP KNOXVILLE (865) 523-9137 U.S. DEPT. OF COMMERCE EXPORT ASSISTANCE CENTER (865) 545-4637
L E T T E R
F R O M
TH E
C H A I R
Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley is celebrating its greatest year in economic development growth since its inception in 2009. Thank you to everyone who has supported the Innovation Valley partnership and program as we continue to strive to make our region the best place for business in America. During the 2015-16 fiscal year, Innovation Valley’s efforts continued to position the Knoxville-Oak Ridge region as the best place to start, expand, or relocate a company, and began an aggressive effort to recruit and retain a skilled and talented workforce pipeline. I am excited to announce that due to efforts led by Innovation Valley, $1.54 billion in capital investments were secured, and 4,150 new jobs were created in our region from July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016. One of the year’s most notable announcements was Advanced Munitions International in October. The global leader in high-end ammunition manufacturing is investing $553 million and creating 605 new jobs. One of the region’s largest employers, TeamHealth, announced two expansions during the year, totaling 500 new jobs and $18.5 million in investments. Innovation Valley’s 2016-17 activities are well underway and the partners are committed to moving the Knoxville-Oak Ridge region into another year of prosperity. Sincerely,
G ROWT H
4,150
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS
$1.54B
GOAL: $300M
WAGE INCREASE
2.8%
I N D I C ATO R S
NEW JOBS
O F
Thom Mason Chairman, Innovation Valley board of directors
GOAL: 2,300
GOAL: 2.0%
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 49
2015-16 FISCAL YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
Notable NEW RECRUITS OCTOBER 5, 2015
OCTOBER 20, 2015
NOVEMBER 20, 2015 Lifetime Products [logo]
NEW JOBS: 500 CAPITAL INVESTMENT: $45M
NEW JOBS: 605 CAPITAL INVESTMENT: $553M
NEW JOBS: 500 CAPITAL INVESTMENT: $115M
Notable EXPANSIONS AUGUST 26, 2015
OCTOBER 13, 2015 & MAY 5, 2016
OCTOBER 23, 2015
FEBRUARY 2, 2016
NEW JOBS: 500
TOTAL NEW JOBS: 500
NEW JOBS: 75
NEW JOBS: 50
CAPITAL INVESTMENT: $400M
TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT: $18.5M
CAPITAL INVESTMENT: $15M
CAPITAL INVESTMENT: $218.5M
P L E A S E V I S I T W W W. K N O X V I L L E O A K R I D G E . C O M / D A T A F O R T H E F U L L R E P O R T
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 50
Knoxville Chamber Named Top Metro Economic Development Agency
The Knoxville Chamber’s economic development team poses for a photo with its 2016 Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development. Pictured left to right: Patrice Collins, Doug Minter, Sharon Shanks, Rhonda Rice, Doug Lawyer, Joe Riley, Sam Hart, Lindsay Hammill, and Kayla Witt.
This summer, the Knoxville Chamber was awarded a Top Metro Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development by Site Selection magazine. The newly-minted Mac Conway Award applauds the nation’s top economic
development agencies of the previous year in both metropolitan and micropolitan areas. Awardees are recognized based on total number of jobs created and total amount of investment, as well as per-capita investment and jobs created in the region.
Innovation Valley Represents Region at Tennessee Red Carpet Tour BY: KAYLA WITT
Several staff members from the Knoxville Chamber represented Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley at the 2016 NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership Tennessee Red Carpet Tour. Hosted in Bristol, Tenn. the Red Carpet Tour aimed to showcase the region to nine top site selectors in the United States. “Site selectors represent companies looking to relocate or expand operations and help them narrow down the field and choose the best location for the business to locate,” said Doug Lawyer, vice president of economic development for the Knoxville Chamber. “Because of this, it is extremely important we continually engage top site selectors, and remind them our region is the best place for business in America. We always enjoy the opportunity to work with our partners at NETWORKS Sullivan, and we’re appreciative they invited us to participate in the Tennessee Red Carpet Tour.” Held between Aug. 18–21, participating site selectors were treated to tours of Eastman Chemical Company, roundtable discussions with business leaders including Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd, and a presentation about the Innovation Valley region. The Red Carpet Tour concluded with VIP access to the NASCAR’s Sprint Cup race. “Having the Knoxville Chamber at our Red Carpet Tour really added a great deal this year,” said NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership CEO Clay Walker. “The content
of Innovation Valley’s presentation, as well as Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s, was outstanding. More than that, the demonstration of true regionalism made a strong statement of Doug Lawyer, vice president of economic development for the Knoxville Chamber, and Jesse Smith, manager of industrial our profespartnerships and economic development at Oak Ridge National sionalism and Laboratory, present the assets of Innovation Valley to site selecour willingness tors attending the Red Carpet Tour at Eastman’s headquarters in Kingsport, Tenn. to always put what will advance our communities first. We have great partners throughout Team Tennessee, but none any more important to us than our neighbors in Knoxville.”
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2016 Pinnacle Award Winner Recognized at No. 41 on Inc. 5000 List BY: JESSICA KARSTEN
Inc. 5000’s annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America featured several Knoxville-area businesses this year. Highlighting the list is Cirruspath, Inc. (No. 41), which is co-owned by Brandon Bruce, the winner of the Chamber’s 2016 Young Entrepreneur Pinnacle Award. The software company, co-located in Irvine, Calif., and Knoxville, launched its flagship application Cirrus Insight in 2011. It is the first app to connect Gmail with Salesforce customer relationship management software. “We’re really excited and honored to join the other Knoxville and Tennessee companies on the Inc. 5000 list,” said Bruce, COO and co-founder of Cirrus Insight. “We’ve assembled an incredibly talented team in Knoxville, and being named Inc. No. 41 is tremendous recognition of their hard work and dedication.” In addidion to Gmail, Cirrus Insight now also connects salesforce to Microsoft Outlook and Office 365 and mobile email on iPad, iPhone, and Android. The application
has been embraced by more than 150,000 users at more than 5,000 organizations. It is also the highest-rated sales tool on the Salesforce AppExchange. “Local and state leaders like Mayor Madeline Rogero, Gov. Bill Haslam, and Commissioner Randy Boyd have helped create an environment in which a startup software company like Cirrus Insight can launch and grow,” Bruce said. “Local technology success stories like Perfect Serve, Proton Power, and Ministry Brands provide constant inspiration. It’s up to our team to continue to innovate and deliver a great product with excellent service to our global customer base, and we’ll be doing that right here in Knoxville.” Cirruspath was also recognized as the No. 3 Top Software Company on Inc. 5000’s annual list with three-year growth of 5,903 percent and 2015 revenue of $6.6 million. Other Knoxville Chamber members on the list include Axle Logistics (No. 693); Pyxl (No. 2,193); Design Innovation Architects (No. 2,931); Studio Four Design (No. 4,015); Cellular Sales (No. 4,561); KaTom Restaurant Supply (No. 4,656); and StaffSource (No. 4,862).
Propel Protégé’s Participate in Business Boot Camp (From left) Chris Shepard of SmartFit Training Systems, Cynthia Johnson of Just Tease N’ Hair Salon, Joe Ray of Hyperion Networks, and Samira Abdulla of Blue Diamond Enterprise at a Propel boot camp.
BY: JESSICA KARSTEN
The Knoxville Chamber’s Propel Mentor/Protégé program participants recently completed a 9-week boot camp. The 27 protégé firms will now be paired with mentors who are established community business leaders. The Propel program has expanded to include small businesses in the rural areas of Innovation Valley, including participants from Anderson, Blount, Knox, Claiborne, Jefferson, Roane, and Scott counties. Here is what some of this year’s participants have said about the program: “I find the program to be very valuable. It has provided me with applicable knowledge I can utilize in my business now and moving forward.”
Chris Shepherd, Smart Fit Training Systems “The Propel boot camp has given me the tools to recognize areas where I can improve my business and a simple way to reevaluate where we can continue positive growth.”
Joe Ray, Hyperion Networks “The coaching and guidance has been customized to my business model so that I can focus my best efforts into growing my business. I know I can detail my vision, set up step-by-step goals, and serve my clients! I will propel my business because of this program.”
Samira Abdulla, Blue Diamond Enterprise “Boot camp has affected Just Tease N’ in so many ways. On a broad range, it has created a thrilling movement among the salon as a whole. This has led to a desire for growth, change, organization, and many other things. As a small business owner, I have taken back what I have learned to my stylists.
As a result, they are more passionate and enlightened as employees toward our mission statement and the complexity of business ownership.”
Cynthia Johnson, Just Tease N’ Hair Salon The Propel cohort meets monthly with each other, in addition to sessions with their mentors. This year’s protégés represent $4.7 million in gross revenues and 45 jobs. The goal is to increase the number of jobs and revenue by 20 percent during the two years of the program. The Propel program curriculum is led by Bruce Hayes, director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, who utilizes the Growth Wheel curriculum. The small business learning system was developed in Denmark, and is one of the leading small business education platforms in the country. “This year’s class of protégés has been amazing. The level of passion and engagement has far exceeded our expectations,” said Doug Minter, director of small business development for the Knoxville Chamber. “From a business perspective, there is more industry diversity than ever. We have rural and urban, tech and lifestyle firms participating. As people, the diversity has proven to be asset to the group.” For more about the Propel Mentor/Protégé program, email Doug Minter at dminter@knoxvillechamber.com.
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Premier Partners Hear from National Park Superintendent BY: JESSICA KARSTEN
Knoxville Chamber Premier Partners had the unique opportunity to hear from Cassius Cash, superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at an exclusive event sponsored by Accident Fund Insurance Company of America on Sept. 8. Attendees were informed of multiple park activities including the recent celebration of 100 years of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, as well as the need for younger generations to be engaged in the future of national parks. Cash started out his talk with a call to action. “Knoxville, I have a question for you this morning. How can we get more of our young folks connected to this national park – to all national parks?” He explained how the mission behind the recent national park centennial celebration was called “Find Your Park.” “Find Your Park was built on the pillars of developing and nurturing the next generation of users, supporters, and advocates of the national park system,” Cash explained. “In the year 2030, our Millennials will outnumber Baby Boomers by 22 million. If we have the largest generation on record that doesn’t have a connection to the national park, that’s a problem.” Cash also discussed a program he developed called “Smokies Centennial Challenge - Hike 100,” in which he committed to hiking 100 miles across North Carolina and Tennessee during 2016. Many of his hikes have been with youth who had never experienced a national park before. “I’m not just hiking to get miles,” he said. “Every time I go out, I’m having young folks with me, and over 80 percent of them have never been in a national park. To see that spirit of transformation and that sense of discovery will be forever sketched in my memory.”
Mike Dake of Accident Fund Insurance Company of America; Robyn Askew, chair of the Knoxville Chamber board of directors; Cassius Cash, superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; and Mike Edwards, president and CEO of the Knoxville Chamber at a Premier Partner event on Sept. 8.
The event concluded with a question-and-answer session with Cash in which he challenged businesses to come together in support of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To watch a video of the event in its entirety, visit the Knoxville Chamber’s YouTube channel.
OCTOBER - MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Since 1869, the Knoxville Chamber has been the leading voice for business in the region. Each of these businesses are celebrating milestone anniversaries as Chamber members during the month of October. Thank you for your commitment to the Chamber and the community!
31+ YEARS
MEMBER SINCE
OrthoTennessee 1954 Pizza Palace 1962 The Coal Creek Company 1965 Vreeland Engineers, Inc. 1966 Arnett, Draper and Hagood, LLP 1968 Duo-Fast of Knoxville, Inc. 1971 Knoxville Convention Exhibition Center 1983 Y-12 Federal Credit Union 1985
25 – 30 YEARS Knox County Education Association Aqua-Chem, Inc. Tennessee Valley Authority Courthouse Retrieval Systems, Inc.
20 – 24 YEARS Corporate Quarters, Inc.
MEMBER SINCE 1987 1988 1989 1991
MEMBER SINCE 1994
Foundry on the Fair Site The Southern Market
15-19 YEARS
1996 1996
MEMBER SINCE
Sword & Shield Enterprise Security, Inc. 1997 BEST WESTERN PLUS Cedar Bluff Inn 1999 Energy Control Consultants, Inc. 1999 Community Television of Knoxville 1999 J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC 1999 Worden, Rechenbach & Brooke 1999 The Eye Group 1999 Bell & Associates Construction L.P. 1999 Capital Resource Partners, Inc. 2000 John S. James Co. 2000 Heely Brown Company 2000 Conway Marketing Communications 2000 Knox Housing Partnership HomeOwnership Center 2000 Project GRAD Knoxville, Inc. 2001
K N O X V I L L57 E C H A M B E R | 53
10 – 14 YEARS
MEMBER SINCE
SalesManage Solutions, LLC 2002 CarMax 2002 Hamilton Inn 2002 Ridgeview Terrace of Life Care 2002 Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) 2003 George Armour Ewart, Architect 2004 PME Communications 2004 Miller Feinbaum Recruiting, LLC 2005 HealthStar Physicians 2005 Integracon Technologies, LLC 2006 Knoxville Title Agency 2006 Nyrstar Tennessee Mines 2006 Target Marketing 2006 Breakthrough Corporation 2006
MONTHLY ECONOMIC INDICATORS
(August 2016)
NOTES – Knoxville MSA includes: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Grainger, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane & Union Counties.
WORKFORCE* Resident Labor Force Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee U.S.
HOUSING MARKET % Change Aug. ’15Aug. ‘16
Aug. 2016
July 2016
Aug. 2015
% Change July ’16Aug. ‘16
235,850 417,610 3,160,800 159,800,000
239,340 423,490 3,184,900 160,705,000
228,700 406,380 3,050,900 157,390,000
-1.5 -1.4 -0.8 -0.6
3.1 2.8 3.6 1.5
394,300 2,959,600
391,500 2,936,700
387,500 2,895,100
0.7 0.8
1.8 2.2
NA NA NA
NA NA NA
12,130 23,630 194,280
NA NA NA
NA NA NA
4.3 4.7 5.0 5.0
4.2 4.6 4.9 5.1
4.8 5.3 5.8 5.2
0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1
-0.5 -0.6 -0.8 -0.2
Non-Ag Employment Knoxville MSA Tennessee
Residential Closings Residential Inventory Median Residential Price
Aug. 2016 1,681 8,561 $167,000
Unemployment Rates Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee U.S.
Sources: Tennessee Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
INFLATION RATES -
*Southeast Region Avg. U.S. Avg. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
% Change Aug. ’14Aug. ‘16 1.1 0.9
Aug. ’15-‘16
July ’15-‘16
Aug. ’14-‘15
0.8 1.1
0.4 0.8
-0.3 0.2
0.4 0.3
% Change Aug. ’15Aug. ‘16
Knoxville (City)
Total Single-Family Multi-Family
July 2016* 314 14 300
July 2015 24 24 0
% Change July ’15July ‘16 1208.3 -41.7 100.0
Knox Co.
Total Single-Family Multi-Family
425 125 300
106 106 0
300.9 17.9 100.0
Knoxville MSA
Total Single-Family Multi-Family
526 209 317
211 187 24
149.3 11.8 1220.8
Tennessee
Total Single-Family Multi-Family
2,541 1,663 878
2,208 1,555 653
15.1 6.9 34.5
Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee
Aug. 2016
July 2016
Aug. 2015
% Change July ’16Aug. ‘16
52,376,079 82,390,003 696,480,972
54,894,725 85,766,085 742,662,173
52,539,050 80,885,550 681,741,813
-4.6 -3.9 -6.2
-0.3 1.9 2.2
14,172,061 22,995,741
15,192,348 24,239,025
14,312,483 22,668,744
-6.7 -5.1
-1.0 1.4
AIR SERVICE (MCGHEE-TYSON AIRPORT)
Passengers Freight
June 2016 172,828 7,627,583
May 2016 163,598 NA
June 2015 165,063 6,614,649
% Change May ’16June ‘16 5.6 NA
% Change June ’15June ‘16 4.7 15.3
Source: Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority
Local Sales Tax Knox Co. Knoxville MSA
*All 2016 building permit data is preliminary and therefore subject to revision throughout the year. Sources: U.S. Housing & Urban Development – SOCDS – State of the Cities Data Systems; U.S. Census Bureau – Building Permits Survey
*South – City Size Class B/C
SALES TAX REVENUE - STATE & LOCAL ($) State Sales Tax
1,575 10,489 $158,000
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) - ALL ITEMS % Change July ’15Aug. ‘16
Aug. 2015
% Change Aug. ’15Aug. ‘16 6.7 -18.4 5.7
Source: Knoxville Area Association of Realtors
Available Labor Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee
July 2016 1,666 8,632 $169,000
% Change July ’16Aug. ‘16 0.9 -0.8 -1.2
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
Aug. 2016
July 2016
470,250 29,892 22,033 8,340 59,033 55,540 9,372 36,294 55,503 28,471 10,800 101,113 45,354
461,851 30,331 20,262 7,926 60,349 56,386 9,012 36,809 54,816 27,297 10,644 97,834 42,782
456,340 27,916 22,197 8,469 58,233 53,024 9,028 39,786 56,674 25,713 10,685 97,288 38,982
% Change July ’16Aug. ‘16 1.8 -1.4 8.7 5.2 -2.2 -1.5 4.0 -1.4 1.3 4.3 1.5 3.4 6.0
8,505
7,403
8,345
14.9
Aug. 2015
% Change Aug. ’15Aug. ‘16 3.0 7.1 -0.7 -1.5 1.4 4.7 3.8 -8.8 -2.1 10.7 1.1 3.9 16.3 1.9
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 | 54
Chamber Members Save Big at Office Depot & Office Max BY: JESSICA KARSTEN
Knoxville Chamber members have the opportunity to save money on office, cleaning, and break room supplies through the Chamber Advantage Program with Office Depot and Office Max, which offers huge discounts on materials businesses use every day. Each business that joins the Chamber automatically receives a Store Purchasing Card. This provides all member businesses with immediate discounts of up to 55 percent on 500-plus items that are purchased most often, including special discounts on ink and toner. “The discounts our members receive on office supplies and printing services through the Chamber Advantage Program provide them with a direct return on their investment for joining the Chamber,” said Katie Wells, member services manager for the Knoxville Chamber. Chamber members also have the unique opportunity to download the purchasing card to their phone by texting “KnoxvilleSPC” to 555-888 and utilize it at the checkout. Another way to save through the advantage program is to open an Office Depot Business Account, which provides member businesses with next-day delivery on discounted supplies ordered over the phone, fax, or online at www. officedepot.com. An added benefit of this account is the ability for businesses to receive monthly reports of their office supply expenses from Office Depot. “When we were initially establishing our firm, BGT Recruiting & Consulting, and evaluating what type of office furniture and fixtures we would be needing, Office Depot was one of the first resources that came to mind,” said Jill Green, professional recruiter for BGT Recruiting & Consulting and Knoxville Chamber board member. “We visited their Kingston Pike location, and they were so helpful! We quickly settled on office furniture which was delivered to us promptly. If we have any needs in the future, Office Depot will be our first call.” Members also save on printing services through Office Depot including 2.5-cents for black and white copies, 22-cents for color copies, and 40-percent off finishing services. To learn more about the program, please visit www.knoxvillechamber.com/ office-depot-program or call Member Services at (865) 246-2635.
Chamber Members Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Group Benefit Program BY: JESSICA KARSTEN
The Knoxville Chamber has partnered with Accident Fund Insurance Company of America to provide Chamber members exclusive access to a workers’ compensation group program. Worker’s compensation insurance is one of the many expenses that employers have to consider. Businesses can make it a smaller part of their budget by joining a group program. “Any time we are approached about extending a new benefit to our members that provides the potential for significant cost-savings, we give it careful consideration,” said Mark Field, senior vice president of the Knoxville Chamber. “Workers’ compensation insurance is an expense all our members have to incur, so offering a group program that offers potential dividends is providing a great service.” Chamber members that join the Accident Fund group benefit program have the potential to earn a dividend of 0-5 percent based on its workers’ compensation premium costs and results. Over the last few years, Accident Fund has paid out more than $44 million in dividends to group members. Dividends are payable 15 months after Group expiration and require approval by Accident Fund’s Board of Directors, and therefore, can never be guaranteed. In addition to group offerings, members who participate in the program have access to Accident Fund’s online safety and loss control resources and quick claims reporting. Specialized loss control services are also available based on account size. Accident Fund’s goal is to help keep costs and losses low, while providing the best service. For more information on becoming an Accident Fund policyholder, contact one of the Knoxville Chamber member agencies listed below: Inter-Agency Insurance - (865) 637-4519 Mowery Insurance - (865) 584-1115 Shafer Insurance Agency - (865) 546-0761 John Bailey Company - (865) 524-0785 Scott Insurance - (865) 588-0111 Wyatt Insurance Services - (865) 470-9654
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More than 100 local businesses exhibited in the Knoxville Chamber’s fall Schmoozapalooza.
Catering sponsor Moe’s Original BBQ served up some tasty barbeque sliders to guests at their first-ever Schmoozapalooza experience.
Connor Pearce, Jeremy Boler, and Matt Graves of the Tennessee Smokies pose for a photo at their Schmoozapalooza booth where attendees could win four tickets to the 2017 season opening game.
Judy and Juan Randazzo of Fish Window Cleaning pose with their “flying fish” at their Schmoozapalooza XV exhibit.
SEE MORE PHOTOS ON THE KNOXVILLE CHAMBER’S FACEBOOK PAGE. TO SEE A VIDEO FROM THE EVENT VISIT THE KNOXVILLE CHAMBER’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
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More than 650 business professionals gathered at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum for networking at the Knoxville Chamber’s fall Schmoozapalooza event.
Frank Bisek, Lindsey Kardatzke, and Emily Everett of Threds, the official goody bag sponsor of Schmoozapalooza XV, take a break from handing out swag to pose for a photo.
Knoxville Chamber Events Manager Holly Holloway (pictured right) poses for a photo with Lindsay Wilder of MyNextSuite, winner of the grand door prize provided by Tailgate Tennessee, at Schmoozapalooza XV.
Betsy Cunningham of Y-12 Federal Credit Union poses with a balloon display at the Above the Rest Balloon and Event Designs booth at the Knoxville Chamber’s fall Schmoozapalooza.
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Ad Sales for Two Targeted Print Publications Underway
BY: KAYLA WITT
The Knoxville Chamber and Innovation Valley, the regional economic development initiative it manages, have two annual print publications with targeted advertising opportunities now available. Innovation Valley has partnered with Conway Publishing to produce the secondedition of the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley Economic Publication. The economic profile is a digital and print magazine that is utilized as an economic development marketing tool to promote Innovation Valley’s business climate to a greater qualified audience, in both domestic and international markets. For more information about the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley Economic Profile, contact Kayla Witt at kwitt@knoxvillechamber.com or (865) 246-2627. The Chamber has once again partnered with Visit Knoxville to produce a joint Visitors Guide and Know Knoxville Relocation Publication. This will mark the third year of the joint publication, which is formatted with two-covers, one focusing on people visiting Knoxville and Knox County and the other focused on people looking to relocate to the area for a job, retirement, or part-time residence. For more information about advertising in this publication, contact Shera Swanson Petty at Visit Knoxville, shera@ knoxville.org or (865) 342-9124.
UPCOMING EVENTS
OCTOBER 27 Annual Meeting
7:30 - 8 a.m. Networking • 8-9 a.m. - Annual Report The Square Room, 4 Market Square, 37902 Go to “Chamber Events” on www.knoxvillechamber.com to learn more or register for any of these events.
PREMIER PARTNER PROFILE:
Margaritaville Island Hotel & The St. Somewhere Spa Whether someone is looking for a fun family escape, romantic getaway, girl’s shopping and spa retreat, or the perfect place to host this year’s company Christmas party – they need to look no further – Margaritaville Island Hotel, located on The Island in Pigeon Forge, is just the place. The Great Smoky Mountains are all a buzz with excitement for The Island, the hot new shopping, dining, and entertainment district. This 23-acre development, surrounded by the Little Pigeon River, has quickly become the place to be in the Smokies. The Margaritaville Island Hotel is the perfect place to enjoy it all with luxury accommodations overlooking the river, village, show fountains, and shops below. “Margaritaville Island Hotel is an indescribable getaway so close to home,” said Kristin Farley after a recent stay. “In less than an hour’s drive, you are transported to the beach, complete with luxury accommodations, a fantastic rooftop pool, and a fun and attentive staff!” Hotel guests can start their visit with a margarita at Latitude’s Bar; walk to eateries such as Paula Deen’s, Timberwood Grill, and Margaritaville restaurant; visit Ole Smoky Moonshine; ride the 200-foot Smoky Mountain Wheel; relax while the kids hit the Island Ropes Course; enjoy pampering at the St. Somewhere Spa; and finish the perfect day with a hot toddy by the fire pit. There is no need to go to all the way to Nashville to get in the Christmas spirit this year. The Island and Margaritaville Island Hotel are going all out for Winterfest with over 300,000 lights, 40,000 ornaments, 5,000 feet of garland, 20 snow making machines, photos with Santa at the newly-designed workshop, and three Christmas trees including a 40-foot tree you can walk through. The St. Somewhere Spa, which is open to the public and includes free valet parking, is also getting in the spirit with festive seasonal treatments including the Sugar and Spice Signature Massage and Chocolate Peppermint Pedicure. The hotel is offering special weekday holiday rates for guest rooms which each offer a private balcony, fireplace, rain shower head, and a Margarita Frozen Concoction Maker – since it is always 5 o’clock in Margaritaville. The new Celebrity Suites, located on the Penthouse Floor, include weathered wood finishes and stone fireplaces, contrasted by crisp nautical elements to create a balance of fun and comfort. The Penthouse has been chosen as a finalist for the 36th annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design, the industry’s oldest and most prestigious awards program. These one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites offer ideal accommodations for executive retreats and family getaways. Company parties are always a hit in Margaritaville Island Hotel’s festive Compass Rose Room which overlooks the riverfront terrace. Wedding packages start at $2,000 and it’s not too late to plan a Christmas wedding or company holiday gathering. Visit MargaritavilleIslandHotel.com or call (865) 774-2300 to learn how to experience “Mountain Latitude, Island Attitude.” For Spa Appointments, call the St. Somewhere Spa (865) 280-6200.
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